Home > United States of America > Ohio > Auglaize County > Saint Marys > Elm Grove Cemetery > John Craft

John Craft

Birth	:	31 Oct 1844 Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, USA
Death	:	19 Jan 1929 Wapakoneta, Auglaize County, Ohio, USA
Burial	:	Elm Grove Cemetery, Saint Marys, Auglaize County, USA
Coordinate	:	40.5327988, -84.3953018
Description	:	Father: George Craft, born between 1814 and 1818 in Philadelphia, PA, died between 1866 and 1867. Father was a blacksmith. Mother: Elizabeth Murdock, born between 1824 and 1825 in Martinsburg, Knox County, Ohio. Died after 1867. Paternal grandfather: William S. Craft, Memorial ID 9556642. Paternal grandmother: Elizabeth Smith Craft: Memorial ID 10346503 [Oct. 31, 1927 article from Wapakoneta Daily News] Former St. Marys Citizen Has Honor of Being Oldest Wapakoneta Native John Craft, Civil War veteran, observes his "eighty-third" birthday anniversary at the county seat where he has lived for twenty-five years Read More	Father: George Craft, born between 1814 and 1818 in Philadelphia, PA, died between 1866 and 1867. Father was a blacksmith. Mother: Elizabeth Murdock, born between 1824 and 1825 in Martinsburg, Knox County, Ohio. Died after 1867. Paternal grandfather: William S. Craft, Memorial ID 9556642. Paternal grandmother: Elizabeth Smith Craft: Memorial ID 10346503 [Oct. 31, 1927 article from Wapakoneta Daily News] Former St. Marys Citizen Has Honor of Being Oldest Wapakoneta Native John Craft, Civil War veteran, observes his "eighty-third" birthday anniversary at the county seat where he has lived for twenty-five years Today, October 31, marks the birthday anniversary of the oldest native born Wapakonetan, a distinction claimed by Veteran John Craft, Defiance Street. Mr. Craft was born in a house that stood at the corner of West Auglaize and Blackhoof street, now occupied by the Faulder residence, on October 31, 1844. At that time, Auglaize county was not yet formed, the territory being a part of Allen county, though the formation of Auglaize and the incorporation of Wapakoneta as a municipality was completed when he was five years old. The Indians had moved out of this territory before Mr. Craft was born here, but he recalls hearing his father, George Craft, one of the early blacksmiths of the village, telling of his experiences with the red skins and when a boy used to see occasionally an Indian on his way through town to the reservations where the Indians were being moved during those years. The father's shop was a log structure on Blackhoof street, now opposite the Western Ohio depot. Mr. Craft's parents moved to St. Marys in 1849. The Miami and Erie canal was being opened for traffic then and all activity of the section was centered on that water course. St. Marys was in a heyday at that time—somewhat like unto another one that it experienced two score years later when the oil fields were opened—and George Craft, the pioneer smithy, moved there with his family to take advantage of the increased trade. Horseshoeing was only a small part of the blacksmith trade then, most of the work being connected with wagon building and the shaong [sic] of iron parts for those vehicles. Mr. Craft recalls that in the old shop here in Wapakoneta a lather, driven by horsepower, was used for turning out spokes for the wagon wheels of those days. George Craft the blacksmith, died when his son John was 12 years old. The son followed various occupations, usually driving a wagon or caring for horses. He was 18 years old in 1862, when he enlisted with Co. K, 99th O.V.I., which was being formed that year in Auglaize County with Samuel Bitler, Ed Walkup and Henry Trimble among the leaders. The boys were transformed from this city to Cincinnati on flat cars over the old D. & M. railroad, now the Baltimore & Ohio. They ferried across the Ohio river and then went on into Kentucky where they got into the first skirmishes. Mr. Craft was assigned to the headquarters detail in charge of the horse that Adjutant Ed Walkup rode. Mr. Craft returned to St. Marys after the war and remained there until about 25 years ago when he located in Wapakoneta. At that time he was director of the Auglaize county infirmary, a position he held six years. He also served as justice of the peace of Duchouquet township for six years, retiring ten years ago because of failing eyesight. Last winter he fell and fractured his right hip, but has recovered from its effects so that he is able to be about the streets. He was one of the three or four veterans in attendance Saturday at the annual G.A.R. inspection at the court house. Mr. Craft recalls much of the development of Auglaize county. The old plank road was constructed during the '80s, and it was followed by increased travel between Wapakoneta and St. Marys. Prior to that time, he remembers, men used to go to St. Marys, cutting hoop poles for barrels in the woods enroute. At St. Marys fishing in the canal or reservoir, they sold the poles and then went to catching fish in quantities that would make the 1927 fisherman gasp at mention of it. The house in which Mr. Craft was born is still standing, strangely enough. It is located now on Main street east of the Main street garage. Ten years ago it was still used for residence purposes but now is a furniture storage. The house was moved from its former location more than half a century ago. —Wapakoneta Daily News.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is John Craft's memorial?
John Craft's memorial is located at: Elm Grove Cemetery, Saint Marys, Auglaize County, USA.
When did John Craft death?
John Craft death on 19 Jan 1929 in Wapakoneta, Auglaize County, Ohio, USA
Where are the coordinates of the John Craft's memorial?
Latitude: 40.5327988
Longitude: -84.3953018

Family Members:

Spouse

Lydia Maria Decius Craft

(1849 - 1900)

Children

Clara Craft

(1876 - 1876)

Harry C. Craft

(1877 - 1901)

Lucy C. Craft Koenig

(1881 - 1902)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Elm Grove Cemetery
Saint Marys, Auglaize County, USA
Coordinate: 40.5327988, -84.3953018

2. Gethsemane Catholic Cemetery
Saint Marys, Auglaize County, USA
Coordinate: 40.5341988, -84.3946991

3. Lutheran Cemetery
Saint Marys, Auglaize County, USA
Coordinate: 40.5388985, -84.3852997

4. Murray Cemetery
Saint Marys, Auglaize County, USA
Coordinate: 40.5370100, -84.3817700

5. Benner Cemetery
Saint Marys, Auglaize County, USA
Coordinate: 40.5508003, -84.3964005

6. Old Catholic Cemetery
Saint Marys, Auglaize County, USA
Coordinate: 40.5443993, -84.3768997

7. Koop Cemetery
Saint Marys, Auglaize County, USA
Coordinate: 40.5111237, -84.3860703

8. Hudson Cemetery
Saint Marys, Auglaize County, USA
Coordinate: 40.5158710, -84.3326850

9. Resthaven Memorial Gardens
Saint Marys, Auglaize County, USA
Coordinate: 40.5521960, -84.3273470

10. Pilger Ruhe Cemetery
New Knoxville, Auglaize County, USA
Coordinate: 40.4888992, -84.3347015

11. Methodist Cemetery
New Knoxville, Auglaize County, USA
Coordinate: 40.4941559, -84.3182678

12. German Reformed Cemetery
New Knoxville, Auglaize County, USA
Coordinate: 40.4925880, -84.3186111

13. Arnett Cemetery
Moulton, Auglaize County, USA
Coordinate: 40.5325012, -84.2975006

14. Protestant Evangelical Cemetery
New Knoxville, Auglaize County, USA
Coordinate: 40.4878006, -84.3163986

15. Willow Grove Cemetery
New Bremen, Auglaize County, USA
Coordinate: 40.4606018, -84.3630981

16. Saint Thomas Cemetery
Glynwood, Auglaize County, USA
Coordinate: 40.5828018, -84.3181000

17. Fountain of Living Waters Memorial Garden
New Knoxville, Auglaize County, USA
Coordinate: 40.4742540, -84.3270550

18. German Protestant Cemetery
New Bremen, Auglaize County, USA
Coordinate: 40.4533005, -84.3735962

19. Botkins Cemetery
Montezuma, Mercer County, USA
Coordinate: 40.4780998, -84.4796982

20. Oldtown Cemetery
Celina, Mercer County, USA
Coordinate: 40.5489006, -84.5156021

21. Saint Paul Churchyard
New Bremen, Auglaize County, USA
Coordinate: 40.4387170, -84.3857190

22. Plank Road Cemetery
New Bremen, Auglaize County, USA
Coordinate: 40.4364014, -84.3925018

23. Neptune Cemetery
Neptune, Mercer County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6011009, -84.4850006

24. Zion Cemetery
Moulton, Auglaize County, USA
Coordinate: 40.5571650, -84.2697550