Isaiah Craighead
~1812-1879

Isaiah Craighead was born July 12, 1812 in Tennessee. Mrs. W. B Craghead, author of Tennessee Craigheads, argues that he was very likely the son of Shelton Craghead of Smith County, Tennessee. This has not, however, been proven.

On September 17, 1835, Isaiah married Massey (aka Minnie) Sandlin, a fourteen year old girl. The marriage location is unknown, but possibly in Pike County, Missouri.

In 1836, Isaiah and Massey are living in the Iowa Territory, in what later became Grant County, Wisconsin, and in 1837, their first Child, son William Randolph, was born.

The 1850 Census show his occupation as "miner". The area of Wisconsin including Grant County was an active lead sulfide and galena mining area at that time. Mining largely in tunnels, the miners were called "badgers", and many lived in the tunnels they worked in. The mining activity lasted from 1836-1855, when it largely ceased due to the rivers on which the ore was transported silting up, and many of the miners leaving for the California Gold Rush.

Isaiah Craighead, 1812-1879
Photo Courtesy Cyril Baucke

While in Wisconsin, Massey and Isaiah had ten children. Isaiah and family then left Wisconsin sometime after 1855, and by 1860, we believe he was in Missouri, for the birth of daughter Virginia. (Sadly, this girl would die at age four.)

Son Samuel enlisted in the Union Army on April 5, 1863, as a private at Liberty, MO. His unit was the 1st Regiment Engineers, Missouri Volunteers. This regiment was attached to Sherman's Army and built bridges and layed railroad track on the march south. Sam mustered out July 22, 1865 in Louisville, Kentucky.

Isaiah and Massey bought land and took out mortgages 1864 -1875. Records were signed Isaiah Craghead, and Massey signed X, her mark. One of these properties was Roberts Graveyard, which Isaiah purchased with a few partners in 1865. The graveyard is now abandoned.

Isaiah Craighead died January 30, 1879 in Clay County, Missouri. He is reportedly buried in Roberts Graveyard, but there is no official record of this. No wills or other estate records relating to Isaiah's estate have been found.

The Liberty Tribune, Friday February 7, 1879 reported the death of Dr. J. Craighead at his home near Arnold in Clay County, Missouri on January 30. On April 4, 1879, the same paper announces the marriage (on March 30,) of Josephine R. Craighead, daughter of the late Dr. Craighead, to Mr. W.D. Stephens. It is believed the "J" uses in the newspaper is an "I". It not known where the Dr. title for Isaiah is from. It is notable that it was used by the newspaper two times.

Massey Craighead lived with her daughter Josephine and son-in-law William after Isaiah's death. She reportedly died in 1912 in Dodson, Jackson County, Missouri and is buried in Roberts Graveyard with Isaiah. However, no official record of her death or burial location has been found.

What we do not have:

Who was Isaiah's father? Was it Shelton Craghead?

Why did the Liberty Tribune in the two references to Isaiah show a title of Dr.?

Were Isaiah and Massey really buried in the now abandoned cemetery Robert's Graveyard?

Did Massey die in 1915, or at an earlier date? There is no record of the death at that time in Missouri according to the Missouri Department of Health, Vital Records, Jefferson City, MO.

What became of John Washington Craighead, the second son?

Where was Isaiah and family between 1855 and 1862? Where can he be found in the 1860 Census? He has not been found in the 1860 US Census of Wisconsin or Missouri.