Posted on: Hancock Co. Il Obituaries Forum Board URL: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/USA/Il/HancockObits?read=189 Surname: Brown, Cravens, Johns, Miller, Reed, Rodford ------------------------- Hancock County Historical Society Carthage, Illinois Obit 11 Page 7 Reuben Cravens, son of Joseph Cravens, sr., and Mary Cravens, was born in Green county, Pa., August 8, 1831. The paternal ancestors were an English family of Cravens (Quakers), who came over with William Penn in 1682, to settle in Pennsylvania. Of the maternal ancestors his grandfather was descended from an English family of Browns, who also came over with William Penn. The grandmother, whose maiden name was Rebecca Johns, was a descendant of a Welch family of Johns, for whom Johnstown, Pa., was named. When seven years of age Mr. Craven's family moved to Monongahela county, Virginia, and from there to Hancock county, Ill., three years later, arriving in October, 1841. Both he and his parents lived continuously in this county from that time until their death. He was the oldest of a family of eight sons and three daughters, of whom three sons died in infancy, and one at the age of fourteen. Of the four sons and three daughters who lived to manhood and womanhood, two brothers and two sisters remain. January 28, 1855, Reuben Cravens was married to Margaret Lucetta Cravens, youngest child of Jonathan and Margaret Ewing, whose home was in Pilot Grove township. To them were born four sons and four daughters, all whom are living. The wife and mother was called to rest October 11, 1896, at the old homestead where she had lived ever since 1855. For the last three years Mr. Cravens has been making his home in Carthage with his daughter, Mrs. Henry Miller. Early in life he vowed to abstain from all intoxicants and to oppose the evils of strong drink. He, with his wife, were active members of the Good Templars' lodge which was organized in their district. Later, he became interested in the work of the Women's Christian Temperance Union, being an honorary member of the Carthage Union at the time of his death. He was a strong prohibitionist, believing that that party gave him the best opportunity for living up to his vow to oppose the evils of the liquor traffic. He had, at different times, been nominated on that ticket, for the state legislature, for county superintendent of schools, and for county judge. He lived a temperate and consistent life, and was respected as a man of integrity in all of his relations with those among whom he lived and with whom be came in contact. He represented the interests of his township — Hancock — in nearly every capacity within the gift of the people of the township. Although christened in early childhood in the M. E. church, he did not formally unite with the church until 1891, when he became an active member of the Elm Tree M. E. church at Middle Creek, where, because of old associations and the financial condition of the church, he held his membership after his removal to Carthage. He was a most thorough believer in the practical value of our educational institutions, and for many years was a teacher in the public schools of Hancock county. His aid was given to all educational, social and political reforms. The following children survive: Prof. L. B. Cravens, of Lake City, Minn.; Maggie, of Carthage; Mrs. Clara Reed, Middle Creek; Mrs. Emma Rodford, city; Joe, of Joy, Ill.; John E., of Iota, Minn.; Mrs. Grace Miller, city, and Frank, of LaHarpe. The funeral was held Monday afternoon from the M. E. church, Rev. Mr. McNeil officiating. Burial at Moss Ridge cemetery. Link: Bryant Genealogy URL: <http://worldconnect.genealogy.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?db=bryant>