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biography from Portrait & Biographical Album of Mahaska Co., Iowa, 1887
JOSEPH E. CRAFT, a well-known and prosperous farmer and stock-grower on section 7, Cedar Township, was born in Greene County, Pa., April 22, 1846, and is the son of Peter and Tacy (Deagood) Craft, who came to Iowa about the year 1856. The latter is since deceased, but the former survives, and is living a retired life near Ottumwa, Iowa. The subject of this sketch was married, Dec. 18, 1873, to Allie Tennis, a native of Beaver County, Pa., and a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Aiken) Tennis, who reside in Harrison Township, this county, on section 7. By this union four children have been born-Mary Eva, Elizabeth T., Nellie B., and one who died in infancy. Mr. Craft is the owner of 160 acres of splendid land, all in cultivation, and with the best class of improvements. He has a fine barn. 36x54 feet, with 24-foot posts, and a half basement, built at a cost of $l,300, and especially adapted to his business of fine stock-raising. Mr. Craft is a breeder of thoroughbred Short-horn cattle, and is beginning to get together a herd of very fine animals. The females of his herd are members of the family of Floras; the males are descendants of the Duke of Barmpton. He keeps a fine assortment of Poland-China hogs, the principal animals of his herd being recorded stock, and is also paying attention to the raising of horses, and has several fine graded animals. Mr. Craft and wife are members of the United Presbyterian Church. Mr. C. is succeeding remarkably well in his business of general farming and stock-raising, and brings to the conduct of his business energy, industry and zeal, and a thorough knowledge of what he professes. His representations can be relied upon implicitly, and because of his established reputation in the community where he resides he enjoys in a marked degree the confidence of friends and acquaintances.
Portrait & Biographical Album of Mahaska Co., Iowa, 1887
Mahaska County, Iowa Genealogy