U.S. Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ -- USGenNet Inc. -- Please read the U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on the following page: --------------------------------------------------------------------- Craig, Charles Arnold (b. 1865) --------------------------------------------------------------------- A History of Preston County West Virginia Biographical Department, Supplied by J. R. Cole Kingwood, W. Va., The Journal Publishing Company, 1914 by H. S. Whetsell Pages 698-699, CHARLES ARNOLD CRAIG. Charles Arnold Craig was born December 15, 1865. He was raised on the farm, and when twenty-one years old took a trip through Illinois and Iowa, where he remained two years prospecting. After this he railroaded two years, with headquarters at Newark, Ohio. On his return to West Virginia, he went into the saw mill business near Irona, and eventually entered into a partnership in the manufacturing of lumber with the late M. C. Gibson, and with whom he remained eleven years, doing in the meantime an extensive business. In 1904, this firm closed up their account, since which time Mr. Craig has confined himself to agricultural pursuits, and to those of a man of business affairs generally. He bought the farm where he now lives near Irona of John H. Garner in 1896, and built his residence there in 1902. This was the old Snyder farm bought by him of the Benjamin Miller estate, February 28, 1843. It consists of 234 acres and is one of the most valuable farms in the county. During the year 1911, Mr. Craig sold off this farm, feed, hay and grain totaling $860.71 and cattle amounting to $531.00. He deals solely in breeded stock, short- horned Durham cattle, Polland China hogs, and sheep of the Shropshire breed. Aside from interests in farming, Mr. Craig owns and controls much other kind of stock, consisting of shares in banks, of which the National Banks of Kingwood and Masontown are among the number. He is a director, and owns a large share in the Preston County Lumber Company; was a manufacturer and dealer in lumber and mine supplies; has considerable of an interest in the Wholesale Grocery Company at Rowlesburg; in the Kingwood Stogie Factory; enjoys also a considerable holding in the Hill Top Peach Orchard Company at Romney, West Virginia, and besides he is a real estate owner of valuable property in Kingwood. Withal Mr. Craig may be considered one of the most successful self-made men of Preston County. On September 30, 1891, Mr. Craig was united in marriage to Miss Mary Avice Martin, daughter of W. D. and Mary Elizabeth Martin now living near Irona. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Craig are as follows: (1) Charles W., born September 24, 1892. He graduated with honor, and was president of the Kingwood High School in 1911, also of Elliott Business College, and is now the efficient bookkeeper and manager of the Gibson Company Store at Kane's Creek. He was formerly clerk for the Kingwood Bank, and his advancement to his present important official position, based solely on merit, has been rather remarkable for so young a man. (2) Virgie E., born September 1, 1895, now in Parkersburg, West Virginia, studying music; (3) Ella A., born November 29, 1896; (4) Mabel G., born December 14, 1899; (5) Lulu B., born September 21, 1902; (6) Harold A., born August 8, 1906; (7) Bertus M., born April 12, 1908; (8) and Juanita Louise, born August 16, 1912. Mr. Craig is a member in high standing in the Knights of Pythias. Is a Past Chancellor and was elected as a representative to the Grand Lodge. He is trustee of the M. E. Church of which he; and his family are members also. --------------------------------------------------------------------- If you've reached this file through a SEARCH, you can access other biographies for Preston County, WV by going to the following URL: http://www.us-data.org/wv/preston/bios.html ---------------------------------------------------------------------