Frank H. Craig Biography


	This biography appears on pages 1161-1162 in "History of South 
	Dakota" by Doane Robinson, Vol. II (1904) and was scanned, 
	OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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	FRANK H. CRAIG, supervising mechanic in connection with the Indian 
school maintained at Greenwood, Charles Mix county, is a native of the 
domain of Canada, having been born near the city of Toronto, on the 28th 
of December, 1845, and being a son of Davis C. and Mary J. (Witherer) 
Craig, both of whom were born and reared in the state of New York, 
whence they removed to Canada, where they maintained their home about 
eleven years, the father having been a farmer and mechanic. In 1854 the 
family removed to Elliota, Minnesota, locating in Fillmore county, where 
the parents continued to reside until 1881, when they came to South 
Dakota, where the father of our subject took up government land, in 
Fillmore county, there passing the remainder of his life. He died in 
June, 1901, his devoted wife having passed away in September of the 
preceding year. They became the parents of seven children, of whom four 
are living, all being residents of South Dakota. In early life Davis C. 
Craig was a Whig in politics, but he identified himself with the 
Republican party at the time of its organization and was ever afterward 
a supporter of its cause. He enlisted as a member of Company C, Third 
Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, at the outbreak of the Civil war, and was 
in active service about four years. It may also be noted in the 
connection that the subject of this sketch enlisted in Company A, Second 
Minnesota Cavalry, with which he served about two and one-half years, 
principally under General Sully and in connection with the Indian 
warfare in the northwest. He received his honorable discharge on the 4th 
of April, 1866, having made an excellent record as a valiant and loyal 
soldier. 

	Frank H. Craig received a common-school education and was about 
nine years of age at the time of his parents' removal to Minnesota, 
where he was variously employed for a number of years, finally becoming 
identified with railroad work, in which he was engaged up to the time of 
coming to South Dakota, from Chicago, in 1879. He took up a homestead 
claim in Spink county, on the r6th of June of that year, and there 
continued to reside until 1891, having been one of the early settlers of 
the county and one of its popular and influential citizens. He erected 
the first frame house in the county, and the same was used for some time 
as a court house. He served for five years as a member of the board of 
county commissioners and held other local offices of trust, including 
those of justice of the peace, while he was for many years a school 
official. In politics he gives an unwavering allegiance to the 
Republican party and has been an active worker in its cause. Fraternally 
he is identified with Frankfort Lodge, No. 77, Ancient Free and Accepted 
Masons; Redfield Chapter, No. 20, Royal Arch Masons; Frankfort Lodge, 
No. 83, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and to Sol Meredith Post, 
Grand Army of the Republic. 

	In 1891 Mr. Craig disposed of his interests in Spink county and 
took up his residence in Greenwood, where he has since held the position 
of government mechanic at the Indian school, in which connection he has 
accomplished a most satisfactory work. He is the owner of a fine ranch 
of five hundred and eighty-five acres in Boyd county, Nebraska, and he 
is also the owner of a fine herd of cattle on his ranch in Nebraska. He 
has attained success since coming to Dakota and is one of the loyal and 
public-spirited citizens of the state. 

	On the 4th of July, 1868, at Harmony, Fillmore county, Minnesota, 
Mr. Craig was married to Miss Eliza M. Craig, who was born and reared in 
Canada, being a daughter of John and Elizabeth Craig, the former being a 
farmer by vocation. Of this union were born eight children, namely: 
Leslie, Herbert, Claud and Neva, who are deceased; Harold, who remains 
at the parental home, as do also James E., Bessie and Earl F.