ABNER J. CRAVEN

The Erie Republican Record, Friday, May 30, 1902, Pg. 3

Vol. XXVI, No. 34

A. J. CRAVEN PASSES AWAY

  A. J. Craven has been seriously ill for several months past, passed away at his home in Walnut Grove township early last Monday morning, May 26, 1902.

  Abner J. Craven was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, March 3, 1843.  His mother died when he was 8 days old and his grandmother cared for him until he was six years of age after which he made his home with an uncle.

  When the Civil war broke out he served his country valiantly as a soldier, enlisting in Co. E, 22d Reg’t, Penn. Cav., in September, 1862, serving until the close of the war.  He was a member of the St. Paul post which attended his funeral in a body and officiated at the grave.

  Mr. Craven came to Kansas in 1869, and was one of the pioneers.  He took as a claim the farm on which he lived at the time of his death, which he had improved until it is one of the most beautiful country homes in the county.  Mr. Craven was a hard worker and a splendid business man.  The two qualities made him a prosperous man.  He was married to Miss Fanny Ford and in her had an able helper and a loving dutiful wife.  Their domestic life was an ideal one.  To them were born six children, two of whom passed away.  His wife, two daughters and two sons survive him.

  Mr. Craven was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, having become a member a short time preceding his death.  Funeral services were conducted at Bethel by Rev. Gilliam of St. Paul and Rev. Wesley Emerson of this city, and the remains interned in the Bethel cemetery.  The funeral was an immense one friends and neighbors for miles distant attending to pay their last tribute of respect.

  In the death of Mr. Craven, his family lost a kind loving husband and father, and the community a good man and (last two lines unreadable)