ROBERT D. CRAIG, one of the stirring, go-ahead young farmers of Hopewell township, Washington county, was born in 1867, on the farm where he now resides. He is a son of William Craig, who was a son of William and Susan (Leaper) Craig, the former a native of the North of Ireland, and the latter born in Pennsylvania. William Craig, the grandfather, grew to manhood in Ireland, when the family sought a home in this country. William came to Washington county, Penn., and established himself on a farm near West Middletown, there residing until his death. His family consisted of the following named children: John, Walter, William, Jane, Rebecca, Susan, Catherine and Margaret. The father died in 1834, in his sixtieth year. His widow survived him until 1866, when she too passed away, at the advanced age of eighty years. With Mr. Craig came his two brothers David (who resided at Middletown) and Walter (who lived at Cross Creek village). William Craig, father of Robert D. Craig, was born on the home farm in Hopewell township, though the family residence was then in Independence township, this county. He was educated in the common schools of Independence township, attending whenever possible, and acquiring a good English education. When about twenty-three years of age he married Margaret McFadden, who died in October, 1864, leaving six children, namely: Alexander, William, John S., Susan, Margaret and Lucy, of whom Alexander, Susan and Margaret are deceased. In 1865 Mr. Craig was married to Margaret Dalzell, and a son and daughter were born to them: Robert D. and Lavina Jennie. The father was always a successful farmer, and was the owner of some excellent places. During the later years of his life he also dealt largely in stock, in which vocation he was equally successful, conducting a large business. His success was due to energy and industry, combined with economy and business foresight. In politics he differed from other members of his family, being an earnest advocate of the principles of the Republican party, but though always keenly on the lookout for the welfare of his county, neither sought nor desired public office. During the last years of his life he was a member of the United Presbyterian Church. He died October 3, 1890. Of the children of his family the following is a brief record: William Craig, the eldest living son, is married to Miss Ada Nuzum, of West Virginia, and is now residing in Independence township, this county (they have had two children: Eva Pearl, now about five years of age, and Anna, deceased); John, the second living son of William Craig, was married to Miss Kate Botes, who has borne him two children, Alvin and Mary Belle; Lucy, daughter of William and Margaret Craig, is married to James McMurray, and is living in Kansas City, Mo.; Robert D. (subject) and Lavina J. are unmarried, and reside with their mother on the old homestead. Like their father, the men of the Craig family are adherents of the Republican party.

Text taken from page 1234 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed February 1997 by Neil and Marilyn Morton of Oswego, IL as part of the Beers Project. Published February 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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