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 May 13, 2006, 5:35 pm

Author: History of Grundy County, 1914

Cragg, George H. - It is difficult to believe that within active years of 
residents of Grundy County the wonderful agricultural development, so apparent 
on every side, has been accomplished, but George H. Cragg, one of the 
substantial farmers and foremost citizens of Maine Township, can recall when 
his fertile and highly cultivated acres were nothing but raw, swamp prairie 
land.  He was born in his father's log house on Section 19, Maine Township, 
Grundy County, Ill., April 5, 1840, in which year his father was largely 
instrumental in having Grundy County organized.  His parents were John and 
Agnes (Litchult) Cragg.

John Cragg was born in 1803, in Cheshire, England.  In 1823 he crossed the 
Atlantic Ocean to the United States and located at Paterson, N. J.  Shortly 
after his arrival he was united in marriage with Agnes Litchult, who was a 
native of Paterson, and an admirable woman in every relation of life.  To this 
marriage there were born four sons and one daughter:  Edward, Joseph, Martin, 
George H. and Louisa, the only survivor being George H. Cragg, of Grundy 
County.  Sometime in the "twenties" John Cragg settled at Ottawa, Ill., where 
he followed his trade of machinist, several years later moving to St. Louis, 
Mo., but returning to Ottawa in a few years and continuing to live in the 
village for one year longer before settling permanently in what was then the 
eastern part of LaSalle County, the same now forming Grundy County.  John 
Cragg was a man of sterling character and became a man of prominence in the 
new county, serving many years in the office of supervisor and repeatedly as 
justice of the peace.

George H. Cragg attended the country schools near his father's farm and 
received additional instruction from teachers who boarded around as was the 
custom, native intelligence and a desire to learn assisting more than any 
educational opportunities ever afforded him.  He assisted on the farm as soon 
as old enough and began the reclamation and development which has completed 
changed the landscape, in the last fifty years, in Grundy County.  On February 
17, 1865, he enlisted for service in the Civil War, which was continuing its 
ravages, entering the One Hundred and Fifty-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, 
in which he served until the close of strife, and was stationed for some 
months near Nashville and Chattanooga, Tenn.  His patriotic duty done, Mr. 
Cragg returned to Grundy County and resumed farming operations and ever since 
has devoted himself largely to agricultural pursuits, intelligently adopting 
scientific methods and proving their efficacy.  He owns 180 acres of fine land 
situated in Maine and Mazon Townships.

On February 17, 1861, Mr. Cragg was married at Chicago, Ill., to Miss Rachel 
Bridel, who was born in England, April 30, 1840, and was brought to the United 
States in 1844, her parents being pioneers in Grundy and Kendall Counties, 
Illinois.  The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Cragg:  Alice, who 
is the wife of Joseph H. Francis, who is the present Sheriff of Grundy County; 
Robert N., who is a resident of Grand Island, Nebraska; Cora, who is the wife 
of James BRAY; and Emma, who is the wife of George Marsh.  Mr. Cragg and 
family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Mr. Cragg started his political career as an Abraham Lincoln Republican, 
voting for him in 1860, and for every succeeding candidate of the Republican 
party for the Presidency until 1912, when he became a Progressive and worked 
and voted for Theodore Roosevelt.  He has never been an office seeker, but 
when elected has served faithfully as School Director, School Trustee and 
Highway Commissioner.  He has always taken a deep interest in the public 
schools, is an advocate of good roads and of all those things which promote 
good government, good feeling, neighborly interest and social comfort and 
contentment.

page 794

Additional Comments:
Source:  History of Grundy County, Illinois, Chicago: Munsell Publishing Co. 
Publishers; 1914

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