GEORGE O. CRAIG

The following bio was taken from page 158 of the book entitled "Rusk County History" compiled and edited and used with permission of the Rusk County Historical Commission.

Transcribed by Shirley Koym

Submitted by Gloria Briley Mayfield, Rusk County TX Coordinator

George Oliver Craig was born October 21, 1866 in Rusk county. He married Mollie Williams, who was born November 24, 1872. George died January 4, 1962, and Mollie died February 26, 1940. They are both buried in the New Prospect Cemetery.

George was the eldest child of Paul Bunting Craig and Martha Jane Goodlett Craig. He was the grandson of Reuben Terry Craig and Margaret Oliver Craig, from whom he got his middle name. He was the great-grandson of Rev. William Craig, the well-known Methodist circuit rider and his wife, Rebecca Hostense Horton.

Mollie was a member of the Williams family who came to Texas with the John Vinson family in the 1850’s. Her ancestors are buried near her at New Prospect.

George O. was a great historian who passed on to his relatives the events and facts of the lives of his ancestors. Without his help the stories would have been lost forever.

The George O. Craig’s lived for thirteen years in Harrison County, seven miles west of Marshall, as a farmer and dairyman. He had a great admiration for fine mules, feeding them very well and making sure his sons did not abuse them. From this 365-acre farm he furnished many Marshall households with the fine Jersey milk, butter, vegetables, and eggs.

The Craig’s moved from Harrison County in 1932 back to Rusk County and lived over ninety-five years, visiting and telling colorful stories of the past.

George loved to play the French harp and spent many hours playing the harp with his sons, Frank and Earl. Well into his 90’s George recited from memory poetry that he learned as a child. He loved to sing, particularly sacred harp music.

His youngest daughter, Rebecca Craig Wells, was with George when he passed away at ninety-five plus. He had been sick for only three weeks, for the first time in his life, and his last breath was spent singing a hymn.

At the present time, seven children of George Oliver and Mollie Craig still are living, five of them in Rusk County, and have played an important part in the development of the county.

Born to the Craig’s were eleven children: William Earl Craig married Sally Anderson. Their children are William Earl, Jr., Jewell Oliver, Johnny Bunting, Benjamin Franklin, George Malin, Robert Levy, James Salah, and Reba Muriel. Martha Josephine Craig married Van Wade. Their children are Mary Frances, Douglas, and Betty Jo. Benjamin Craig married Bess Jackson. Their children are Robert Jackson and Anita Bess. John Paul Craig died August 13, 1900 at the age of one month. Mary Lucy Craig married Paul Rogers. Their children were Mary Evelyn and Martha Paul. Richard Levy Craig married Hazel Coleman. Their children are Richard, Jr., Dale, and Carolyn. Ethel Mildred Craig married George Carter. George Cole Craig married Ethelyn Linney. The latter’s children are Donald and Susan. John Salah Craig married, first, Elizabeth Motley, and second, Evelyn Bain. Salah and Elizabeth’s children are John Motley and James Salah. Rebecca Hostense Craig married William Stone Wells. Their children are William Eugene, Sandra, and Mary Ethel. Joe Bunting Craig married Mattie Farnell. Their children are Joe Frank, Nancy Jane, Linda Sue, and Mollie Jean.

Submitted by Evelyn Bain Craig