My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in The History of Newton County, Missouri published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1888.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

* * * *

Maryland Craig, a native of Overton County, Tenn., was born February 2, 1841, his parents being Isaac and Mary (Harrison) Craig, both natives of Tennessee. The mother died in this State about 1849, and the father took for his second wife Susan England. In 1851 the family moved to Greene County, Ill., and there their son Maryland was reared to farm employment. August 23, 1862, he enlisted in the United States Army, Company I, Ninety-first Illinois Infantry Volunteers. The company went to Kentucky, and were captured at Elizabethtown by Morgan, were paroled, and came to Benton barracks, where they lay until June, 1863. They then moved down the Mississippi to New Orleans, thence went to Texas, and served in that State fifteen months, with headquarters at Brownsville. They then went to New Orleans, thence to Mobile, and were engaged at Forts Spanish and Blakely. They then went up the Alabama River, and witnessed Taylor’s surrender. Mr. Craig was mustered out July 12, 1865, at Mobile. Ala., then returned to Springfield, Ill., and from there home. The following March he came to Missouri, and. April 7, located in Newton County, taking a homestead grant in what is now Seneca Township. He was married in Newton County December 10, 1867, to Miss Sarah L. Burson, a native of Illinois. Six children were born to this marriage: Clara Alice, Ida May, Hattie V., Eunice Evelyn, Ethel G. and Mariam I. Mr. Craig has a twenty-acre orchard, which he started about 1868 or 1869, and is now in fine bearing condition. Among the principal varieties are Ben Davis, Wine Sap, Jonathan, Limer Twig, Rambo, McAffee’s None Such, Belleflower (yellow and red), Early Harvest, etc., etc. Politically, Mr. Craig affiliates with the Greenbackers. He has held the office of justice of the peace a number of terms, and is now holding that office. He has served as township collector and school director. He owns 140 acres of land, twenty of which are timber.

* * * *

This family biography is one of 220 biographies included in The History of Newton County, Missouri published in 1888.  For the complete description, click here: Newton County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

To view additional Newton County, Missouri family biographies, click here

Use the links at the top right of this page to search or browse thousands of other family biographies.