Person:John Craft (12)

Watchers
Hon. John Franklin Craft
b.Abt 1838 GA
d.23 Aug 1885 GA
m. 26 Nov 1832
  1. Mary F. CraftAbt 1834 -
  2. S. J. CraftAbt 1836 -
  3. Hon. John Franklin CraftAbt 1838 - 1885
  4. S CraftAbt 1838 -
  5. William Anderson Craft1840 - 1909
  6. Willis Moss Craft1842 - 1876
  7. Martha A. CraftEst 1845 -
  8. James D. CraftAbt 1847 - Bef 1887
  9. Terrah A. CraftAbt 1849 -
  10. Richard P. CraftAbt 1851 - Bef 1920
m. 22 Mar 1867
  1. Thomas G. CraftAbt 1868 -
  2. Martha Pattie Craft1870 -
  3. Flora CraftAbt 1872 -
  4. George F. CraftAbt 1874 -
  5. Nellie CraftAbt 1876 -
  6. Mamie Craft1880 -
  7. Jack G. Craft1882 -
  8. James Presley Craft1885 -
Facts and Events
Name Hon. John Franklin Craft
Gender Male
Birth? Abt 1838 GA
Census? 1840 Craft Dist 199, Elbert, GA
Census? 1860 Elberton, Elbert, Georgia
Marriage 22 Mar 1867 Lumpkin, GAto Sarah Eleanor Ann Goss
Census? 1870 Smith, Hart, Georiga
Census? 1880 District 51, Town, Hart, GA
Occupation? Merchant
Death[1] 23 Aug 1885 GA

MILF: Y

POLTC: Y


Senator of the 31st District.


“MARRIAGE NOTICES FROM THE SOUTHERN CHRISTIAN ADVOCATE 1867-1878 Issue of March 22, 1867 In Lumpkin, Geo., March 10th, by Rev. L. J. Davies, Mr. John F. Craft, of Hart co., Ga. to Miss S. Ellen Goss, daughter of the Rev. Mr. Goss, of the former place. N. B. Christian Index please copy.”


“Enlisted as a Private on 15 July 1861 Commission in Company F, 15th Infantry Regiment Georgia on 15 July 1861. Transfered on 09 July 1862 from company F to company S Promoted to Full Captain on 09 July 1862 (And Asst. Commissary Sergt.) Promoted to Full Captain on 16 June 1863 (And Asst. Quartermaster)”


In an Atlanta Constitution article on 10 Feb 1883, John F. Craft is refered to as attending Georgia’s Sesqui-Centennial in the company of the GA Govenor, Stephens. His is refered to as “Lieutenant-Colonel John F. Craft, of Hartwell”


Article Published in the Weekly Telegraph and Messenger on 25 Aug 1885, p. 4.

“Atlanta, August 28 - In the Senate this morning, at 12 o’clock, the special order was the report of the committee appointed to prepare suitable resolutions ont he death of the late Senator Craft. Mr. Craft was one of the most useful members of the body to which he belonged, was held in high esteem by the members of the Senate, and was a prominent man in his section of the State. In presenting the resolutions which are reported in the legislative proceedings, the committee, through its chairman, Hon. John S. Davidson, of Augusta, paid a beautiful and eloquent tribute to their dead colleague. It is a tribute worthily bestowed on a man who was every inch a Georgian; whose sense of honor and duty, in public and private life, was as one who followed the banner of Lee through all the jorrors of that four years’ struggle. It will well repay the reading and I send it herewith in full, if you can give it the space: Mr. President: The committee appointed to prepare suitable resolutions commemorative of the life and character of Hon. J.F. Craft, senator of the thirty first district, beg leave to present the following report: Hon. John Franklin Craft was born in the county of Elbert and at the date of his death had attained the age of forty seven years. He was the oldest son of Hon. Willis Craft who was much respected by his people and who frequently represented his county and district in the general assembly of the state. Surrounded by the refining influences of a well ordered home, he grew to man’s estate from a quiet, truth-speaking, industrious youth, and by the testimony of one of his early instructors who is now a member of the house of representatives, his devotion to study, regard for honest speach and pleasing manners made up the full measure of hte hope which was verified in his manhood. He had scarcely reached majority and entered upon the successful pursuit of business enterprise when the tocsin of civil war called from their peaceful avocations the sons of the south to maintain at the sacrifice of blooda nd treasure the honor and safety of their country. With a readiness, the result of profound conviction not only of duty but of the right, he at once exchanged the plowshare for the sword and as a lieutenant in one of the companies of the Fifteenth Georgia regiment, answered to the roll call with that devoted band of heroic defenders, who followed with such exalted hopes, the battle flag which waved above the head of the immortal Lee. In the weariness of the march, the trials of the camp, the fearful ordeal of bloody conflict he displayed hte characteristics which gave proof that in him a sturdy hand a loyal heart found close companionship. His superior officers recognizing at an early date his rare executive ability, recommended him for another department of the army, and after the seven days’ fight around Richmond he was promoted to the rank of captain and became connected with the quartermaster service. Here he discharged every obligation with fidelity and dispatch and continued to give full satisfaction in the many demands made upon his time and talents. When at last the “grim visaged war had smoothed his wrinkled trout.” he returned with his comrades to the plow, like unto Cincinnatus of old, and though he did not enjoy the blessed reflection which would have followed upon success, he at least was persuaded that even in defeat, “it is the cause, not the fate of the cause which is glorious.” In a few years subsequent to his return from the army he held by reason of his merits, a leading position among his people, and in the attractive arts of peace was easily a leader. During hte administration of the Governor Alexander H. Stephens he filled the office of an aid upon the governor’s staff and awas by his associates recognized as a legitimate inheritor of such an honor. In the community in which he lived every enterprise which tended to andvance the public weal received his cordial indorsement and prompt support. Fully appreciating the advantages education to the masses in the present condition of our country, he allied himself at an early day with the educational interests of his section and occupied longand acceptably the position of scholl trustee. Hisaptitude for business affairs was clearly illustrated by the intelligence and construcion of the Hartwell railroad, an important undertaking that by commonconsent would have failed of successful issue butfor his segactiy, fine judgement and weil ordered determination. At the election for member of the present general assembly his people, among whom he had gone in and out for many years, and who well understood and admired his character as a man, his values as a citizen and his worth as a representative of thier interests, called him with most compimentary unanimity to a seat in the senate of Georgia. He entered upon the discharge of his duties here with a becoming recognition of their scope and weight with wich abundant promise of a faithful fulfillment of the well grounded hopes of his constituents. But alas! in a few short days which bore good witness of a resolute resistance to the approach of insiduious disease, be laid aside the senatorial toga for a contest with that dread enemy of mankind, which, ruthless, relentless, remorseless, must a some hour become the deadlyf oe of every living man. Standing in the presence of such antagonist he soon realized, however, the futility of resistance and only a few days since came among his associates in this body for the last time; in the same failing breath spoke his greeting and farewell, and then with resignation took his place near to that “belt of karness where the life to come touches the life that is.” On the twenty third day of August, 1885, in the presence of the beloved wife whose gentle ministration had robbed death of many pangs, and surrounded by the affectinate children who delighted to call him father, he passed within the shadow which hid his spirit from mortal view but which we sincerely hope was only the curtain that in a moment alter lifted, revealing his enratured sight “green islands fragrant with the breath of flowers that never wither,” and where “old sorrows are forgotten or but remembered to make sweet the hour that overpays them; and wounded hearts that bled or broke, are healed forever” We are told to say of no man that he is happy until he is dead, and standing today, besides the vacant chair in which he sat while discharging the duties of his senatorial office, looking with becoming solemnity upon the funeral emblems that tell us a voice is silent and a hand is still- a voice and hand which in life represented the faithful husband, the loving father, the good neighor, the public spirited citizen, the wise and earnest legislator; remembering that amid all the temptations and disasters which beset his existence he found patience and fortitude and hope in the teachings of that church to the horns of whose alter he had clung for many years, with abiding faith and unchanging trust, watching as we do in the spirit the last assult upon life’s citadel, and beholding the Christian valor with which he took from death its sting and from the grave its victory, we reverently and tenerly hame him - happy, believing, as we do, that: ‘Whatever record leaps to light - He never shall be shamed.”......

.......The committee offered for adoption the following resolution: Resolved by the senate that in the death of Hon. John Franklin Craft, this body has lost a faithfull and able legislator, and the sate of Georgia a valued and honorable citizen. Resolved 2. That as a further mark of respect to his memory the senate do now adjourn until Monday nex. Resolved 3. That a copy of this memorial be entered upon the journal and a copy be sent to the family of the decesed, to whom our warmest sympathies are tendered. John S. Davidson, Chariman W. J. Northen, R. G. Mitchell, B.A. Thornton, J. F. Sikes, Mr. Northen, of the Twentieth, and Mr. Thornton, of the Twenty-fourth, spoke for the resolutions, and testified to the high character of the deceased Senator. On the motion of Mr. Falligant of the the First, the resolutions were adopted by a rising vote, and the Senate adjourned to Monday 3 p.m.”

References
  1. Source (155).