Grundy County IL Archives Biographies.....Cragg, George H 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com March 25, 2006, 8:17 pm

Author: Bio/Gen Record LaSalle/Grundy 1900

Cause and effect find exemplification in the life of George H. Cragg, who owes 
his success to his own industry, enterprise and capable management. These 
qualities never fail to bring but one result. It is possible not to win 
prosperity when one of them is lacking, but the possessor of all these cannot 
fail to gain prosperity. It is in this manner that Mr. Cragg has become one of 
the successful agriculturists of Maine township, where he owns a valuable farm 
of one hundred and forty acres.

John Cragg, his father, was born in Cheshire, England, March 6, 1803, and when 
about twenty years of age crossed the Atlantic to New Jersey. In the mother 
country he had served a long apprenticeship in the machinist's trade and had 
become an expert workman, being able to handle all kinds of tools. He worked 
at his trade in New Jersey, thus becoming identified with the business life of 
the New World. In Bergen county, that state, he married Agnes Litchult, who 
was born January 7, 1813, in Bergen county, and was of Holland lineage, the 
family having been founded in New Jersey in early colonial days. For a number 
of years John Cragg followed his trade in that state, and on account of his 
health finally left the east, removing to Illinois in 1832. He took up his 
residence in Ottawa, but after a few months went to St. Louis, where he worked 
at his trade. Soon afterward he returned to Ottawa, where he was employed as a 
machinist until 1834, when he came to Grundy county, locating on a farm which 
is now the home of our subject, in Maine township, which was then a part of 
Braceville township. He entered the land from the government, securing three 
hundred and twenty acres, which he purchased at the land sale in Chicago for a 
dollar and a, quarter per acre. He had then been settled on his land between 
one and two years. Not a furrow had been turned nor an improvement made on the 
place, but with characteristic energy, he began to develop the farm, cleared 
away the timber and placed the fields under a very high state of cultivation. 
In the first year of his arrival here he built a log cabin, which is still 
standing as one of the landmarks of pioneer days. It is the only log cabin 
built in that epoch which still remains to indicate the onward march of 
civilization. By thrift and industry Mr. Cragg secured a good home, becoming 
one of the prosperous farmers of his community. His children were Edward, who 
was born in New Jersey, September 13, 1830; Joseph, who was born May 31, 1833, 
in St. Louis; Martin, who was born on the pioneer homestead, January 21, 1836; 
Charles, born March 6, 1838; George H., born April 5, 1840; Frances L., born 
May 26, 1843; and John N., born January 11, 1853, on the old homestead. Mr. 
Cragg was an old-line Whig in his political affiliations and held the offices 
of township clerk, trustee, and justice of the peace. The first election of 
the township was held in his cabin and he was intimately associated with 
pioneer events which form the early history of the county. He died on the old 
family homestead, October 9, 1853, and his wife passed away in Gardner, 
Illinois, April 27, 1895. She was a member of the Methodist church and a lady 
greatly esteemed for her many excellencies of character.

George H. Cragg first opened his eyes to the light of day April 5, 1840, in 
the old log cabin built by his father in pioneer days. He received such 
educational advantages as were afforded by the common schools of the 
neighborhood, and he also pursued his studies for a time in Mazon. His father, 
with a just appreciation of the need of an education, provided his children 
with the best opportunities he could afford and was accustomed to employ a 
teacher to instruct the children in his own home. Our subject also spent six 
months as a student at Wilmington, Illinois. He also learned habits of 
industry, perseverance and economy upon the home farm. His father died when 
George was thirteen years of age, and the following year he began earning his 
own livelihood as a farm hand. He inherited thirty-two acres of the old 
homestead and on that tract began farming on his own account. He was wedded 
February 17, 1861, in Chicago, to Rachel L. Bridel, who was born April 30, 
1840, in England, a daughter of Robert and Mary (Diment) Bridel. To them have 
been born four children: Alice Mary, born October 14, 1862; Robert Nelson, 
born March 21, 1865, on the old homestead; Cora Belle, born in Morris, 
Illinois, October 20, 1867; and Emma Lilly, born October 12, 1870, on the old 
homestead.

Mr. and Mrs. Cragg began their domestic life on the farm, where he remained 
until his enlistment in the civil war, February 25, 1865. He was enrolled at 
Joliet as a member of Company F, Fifty-sixth Illinois Infantry, and remained 
at the front until honorably discharged at Nashville, Tennessee, on the 18th 
of May of the same year, on account of disability. In April of that year he 
had been sent to the hospital, where he remained until his return to the 
north. Once more locating on a farm, he gave to it his time and attention 
until 1866, when he embarked in the grocery and butchering-business in Morris, 
Illinois, in company with Marshall Cassingham, under the firm name of 
Cassingham & Cragg. They enjoyed a good trade until 1867, when Mr. Cragg sold 
his interest and returned to the old homestead, where he has since carried on 
agricultural pursuits. He is to-day the owner of one hundred and forty acres 
of valuable land, on which he has erected a substantial residence and good 
outbuildings.

Mr. Cragg has given his political support to the Republican party since 
casting his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1860. He takes an 
active interest in the welfare and growth of the party and has served as a 
township trustee and as school director, his labors being practical and 
effective in the promotion of the educational interests of the community. He 
is very systematic and enterprising in his farming operations, and his capable 
management and unflagging industry have brought to him very creditable and 
satisfactory success. Throughout his life he has been true to every manly 
principle, and his record is in many respects well worthy of emulation.

Additional Comments:
Source:  Biographical and Genealogical Record of La Salle and Grundy County, 
Illinois, Volume 11, Chicago, 1900, p706-708

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