Born March 14, 1853, in Washington County, Pennsylvania His father was a farmer, in Washington County of that state, and attained prominence in public affairs as a democratic politician. John Craig was educated in the common schools in his boyhood, and later entered Waynesburg College, attending there one year. Young Craig earned his first dollar as a laborer in the harvest field. He began to teach country schools when but 16 years of age, continuing for four years during the winter season. He served one year as principal of Lebanon academy, in Allegheny County, Pa. He graduated with honors from Washington and Jefferson College in the class of 1877. He was a member of the Philo and Union literary societies. In May, 1878, he came to Iowa, settling at Keokuk, where he began to read law in the office of his uncle. In the fall of 1885 Mr. Craig was nominated by the democrats to represent Lee County in the house of representatives of the Twenty-first General Assembly, and was elected. He became a prominent member of the house and served his constituents so well that he was re-elected, serving in the Twenty-second General Assembly during the winter of 1888, and became one of the most influential leaders on the democratic side of the house. For eleven years Mr. Craig served on the Keokuk school board, taking a deep interest in the educational affairs of that city. In 1889 he was elected mayor of Keokuk, and in 1891 was re-elected. He was chosen president of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Keokuk, and became professor of medical jurisprudence of that institution. In 1896 Mr. Craig was elected prosecuting attorney for Lee County, and he is also president of the board of trustees of the public library of Keokuk. He is a public-spirited citizen, taking an active part in all matters relating to city and county affairs. In religion he is a member of the Westminster Presbyterian Church.

Born March 14, 1853, in Washington County, Pennsylvania His father was a farmer, in Washington County of that state, and attained prominence in public affairs as a democratic politician. John Craig was educated in the common schools in his boyhood, and later entered Waynesburg College, attending there one year. Young Craig earned his first dollar as a laborer in the harvest field. He began to teach country schools when but 16 years of age, continuing for four years during the winter season. He served one year as principal of Lebanon academy, in Allegheny County, Pa. He graduated with honors from Washington and Jefferson College in the class of 1877. He was a member of the Philo and Union literary societies. In May, 1878, he came to Iowa, settling at Keokuk, where he began to read law in the office of his uncle. In the fall of 1885 Mr. Craig was nominated by the democrats to represent Lee County in the house of representatives of the Twenty-first General Assembly, and was elected. He became a prominent member of the house and served his constituents so well that he was re-elected, serving in the Twenty-second General Assembly during the winter of 1888, and became one of the most influential leaders on the democratic side of the house. For eleven years Mr. Craig served on the Keokuk school board, taking a deep interest in the educational affairs of that city. In 1889 he was elected mayor of Keokuk, and in 1891 was re-elected. He was chosen president of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Keokuk, and became professor of medical jurisprudence of that institution. In 1896 Mr. Craig was elected prosecuting attorney for Lee County, and he is also president of the board of trustees of the public library of Keokuk. He is a public-spirited citizen, taking an active part in all matters relating to city and county affairs. In religion he is a member of the Westminster Presbyterian Church.