---

Dr. James W. Craig has gone to his reward.  After years of active service in the medical profession, Death, who defies all human skill and power, knocked at his chamber at 6 o'clock last evening and called him from this material world to that eternal home to which mortals find an entrance only through the grave.

It is almost two years since Dr. Craig was obliged to retire from active practice on account of failing health.  Though a man of unusual physical and mental strength in his prime, the hardships and exposure men must undergo who follow the medical profession gradually overcame him and for the past two years he had been an invalid confined to the house except when the weather was pleasant enough for him to ride out or take a stroll.  His strength waned constantly and with intermittent attacks of severe illness the vital spark was almost exhausted when another attack occurred nearly two weeks ago.  He was conscious of his condition and expected to be relieved only by death.  Yesterday morning there seemed to be no change, so his son, Dr. Harvey Craig, made his professional visits as usual.  About 1 o'clock in the afternoon the final turn of life's tide came and from that time he was unconscious until the end.  The entire family was assembled at his bedside when his spirits took its flight.

Dr. James W. Craig was born in Belmont County, Ohio, Jan. 17, 1826.  His father, Samuel C. Craig, was a native of Beaver County, Pa., who settled in Belmont County and afterward in this county near Shelby, where he spent the remainder of his life upon a farm.  At the age of 9 years, James returned to Belmont County to live with an uncle, who was a lawyer and who desired to educate him for the legal profession.  He attended school and when he became old enough began reading law but he did not take kindly to legal lore, preferring medical works instead.  At the age of 17 years, he went to Harrison, O., where he taught school two years and continued his medical studies.  Then he returned to Shelby and pursued his studies in the office of Dr. John Mack, father of the late Judge Mack, after which he went to the Cleveland Medical College, where he graduated in 1851.

The following April he located in Ontario, this county, where he practiced his profession nineteen years and then permanently located in this city.  He rose to high eminence as a physician and surgeon and was widely recognized as one of the leading men of the medical profession in this section of the state.  He was especially noted for his skill and success in surgery.  He was one of the organizers of the North Central Ohio Medical Society, which embraces in its membership the leading physicians and surgeons of fifteen counties, was one of its early presidents and always an active and valuable member.  He was also a member of the Ohio State Medical Society, of which he was once vice-president.

Dr. Craig was also a devoted student of natural sciences and during his life time accumulated a valuable collection of geological, archæological, ornithological and other specimens, curios, etc., which kindly loaned to the Memorial Museum when that important adjunct of the public schools was established.

Dr. Craig was also devoted to his home and family.  He was married January 24, 1854 to Eliza McConnell, who survives him.  Their children are Mrs. M.O. Gates, Mrs. J.S. Hedges, Miss Wilda Craig and Dr. J.H. Craig.  

The funeral services will be held at the residence, corner of Third and Mulberry Streets, Saturday afternoon at 4 o'clock conducted by the Rev. Dr. H.L. Wiles of this city and the Rev. Mr. Loos of Shelby, and will be private.

---

<< Back to Obituary Index

<< Back to the Richland Co., Ohio Index