
William Craig
|
r.
William Craig, one of the pioneers of this valley, was born in Northumberland
county, Penn., Jan. 2,l818. In June of the following year, his parents
moved to Clark county, Ohio, where he received a limited education in
the common schools, "such as they were in that early day." During
his nineteenth year, he went to Muncie, Ind., where he began teaching
school and the study of medicine and married Miss Joanna G. Moore,
in March l839, who died the following October. Continuing his teaching
and study, on March 30, l846, he married Miss Charlotte A. Moses.
To complete his medical course he entered Sterling Medical College at
Columbus, Ohio, and received his degree in March l849. After practicing
for a short time in Ohio, he moved to Winchester, Ind., where he was for
five years a druggist and stationer and then returned to Muncie, Ind.,
and engaged in the drug and book business and in manufacturing "Craig's
Baking Powder and Flavoring Extracts." In the fall of l870 he sold
out and started for California, arriving where Riverside now stands, Nov.2,
l870. He built Riverside's first hotel, which was opened to the public
in January, l871. In August, l873, he purchased the ranch in Crafton,
where he now resides and where on March 30, l896, Dr. and Mrs. Craig celebrated
their "Golden Wedding." About 50 acres are now under cultivation,
chiefly planted to navel oranges, apricots and peaches. In l849 he became
a Mason and has filled almost every station in Lodge, Chapter, Council
and Commandery, from Tyler to Eminent Commander. In l849 also he united
with the Presbyterian church, of which he has been elder almost continuously
since l855 and is now the senior elder of the church in Redlands. Dr.
Craig was one of the first directors of the Union Bank and still holds
that office. He was also the first Justice of the Peace of Crafton township
and held the same office during his residence in Riverside.
(Source:
Illustrated Redlands, l897, pg. 40)
|