J. P. Craig - Obituary

(1834 - 1926)
Joplin, MO Globe

John Park Craig, 90 years old, 621 Moffett Avenue, a veteran of the Civil War and chaplain of the O. P. Morton Post, G. A. R., died at his home at 4:30 o'clock yesterday afternoon. He had been ill since Christmas day with influenza. Mr. Craig was the oldest member of the G. A. R. post here and would have been 91 years old February 8. Mr. Craig was presented with a portrait of Abraham Lincoln at the annual "Last Man Banquet" of "The Last Man Club" in March 1924. The picture was presented by the Globe to be retained during his lifetime. The veteran had cherished the gift since the presentation. Mr. Craig enlisted in the 15th Iowa infantry in 1861 and was made captain of Company E, which he helped to organize. His first actual was experience was at the battle of Shiloh in the engagements around Cornith, Bolivar and Holly Springs. He was the son of Samuel Craig and Margaret Park. He was born February 8, 1834, in Brookfield, Pa. He came west in 1855, reaching Keosauqua, Iowa, in that year. He was married at Keosauqua to Miss Mary A. Miller May 6, 1856. They lived there until 1865, when they moved to Memphis, Mo. In 1907, they came to Joplin. Mrs. Craig died May 2, 1916. Mr. Craig was a member of the First Presbyterian church. He was held in high regard by veterans of his post as well as by those outside the organization who knew him. His candor, calm judgement and ready wit made him an oracle whom his soldier brothers consulted when in doubt upon any matter. He was the father of ten children all but three of whom are living. The surviving children are S. H. Craig, Memphis Mo.; the Rev. A. A. Craig, of Bartow, Fla.; C. A. Craig of Castle Rock; and Miss Sadie, Hattie and Jennie Craig and Mrs. Mary Moyer at home. He also is survived by a brother Frank Craig of Washington, D. C. and three sisters, Mrs. Agnes Stewert of Brookville, Pa., and Misses Mary and Margaret Craig of Washington, D. C. Funeral services were held at the home at 4 o'clock Tuesday afternoon, the Rev. R. H. M. Augustine, pastor of the First Presbyterian church, and members of the G. A. R. officiating.