Keosauqua IA Public Library Obit. Book A, page 159
Transcription by Rich Lowe

Mrs. Nancy J. Craig, aged 92 years, 5 months and 20 days, passed away Saturday afternoon at the home of her son David R. Craig, at Brainerd, Minn. Death came quietly and peacefully and with a smile on her lips she passed away to her Maker after a life well spent on this earth. She was a remarkable woman, retaining her faculties to the end. Nothing delighted her more than to assemble her children about her at her birthday anniversary. She was born December 21, 1821, in Armstrong county, now Clarion county, near the town of Curlsville, Pennsylvania. Her father was George Means. Her grandfather Major Robert Means of Mifflin county, Pa., a distinguished officer in the revolutionary way, who received the tract of land where the family homestead stands as part payment for services in the war. On Dec. 21, 1839, on the date of her 18th birthday, she was married to David Ramsey Craig and to them 13 children were born. Of these a daughter and seven sons are living. Among those present at the funeral services held Monday morning, May 18, were Mrs. Mary Rockefellow, of Bonaparte, Iowa; George H. Craig, of Keosauqua, Iowa; David R. Craig of this city; James N. Craig, of Davenport, Io.; Harry C. Craig, of Curlsville, Pa. Three sons were unable to be there and they are C. B. M. Craig of Bengough, Saskatchewan, Canada; J. W. Craig, of Puyallup, Wash.; A. M. Craig, of Tacoma, Wash. Besides her seven sons and one daughter she leaves 21 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. At the funeral services Mrs. George D. LeBars and sang and was accompanied by W. A. M. Johnstone. Rev. W. J. Lowrie, pastor of the First Presbyterian church, presented an eloquent sermon. The floral tributes were many and ****** the love which many people felt for the departed.

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Source: "The Means Family of America" Elizabeth Cissel Foglesong Published 1972


Nancy Jane Means,
born 21 December 1821, Toby Township, Armstron County, Pennsylvania;
died 16 May 1914, Brainerd, Minnesota


She married 26 December 1839, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, David Ramsey Craig (born 9 August 1811, French Creek, Erie County, Pennsylvania; died 22 Jul 1894, Brainer, Minnesota.)


Nancy Jane and David lived in Clarion County, Pennsylvania and built their first home near Reidsburgh. It was constructed of brick with a frame addition that was the kitchen and work house. A spring was located a few yards above the location of the house and the water ran through a pipe in the cellar into a watering trough for the cattle and horses. David bought this property from Hugh Reid in 1855 and built a saw mill. The first teachers' institute held in Clarion County met December 25, 1855 and David R. Craig was called to the chair. Nancy Jane and David moved to Van Buren County, Iowa in 1864 and an account of their journey west will be found in the record of their son, James Nelson Craig. Nancy Jane was a very intelligent, active, and religious woman. She was quite strict and was a strong and guiding light to her family.


In 1889, Nancy Jane and David came to Brainerd, Minnesota where they remained until their deaths. In the Brainerd Dispatch, December 29, 1911, appeared the following: "Enjoys a notable birthday party." Mrs. Nancy Means Craig celebrates her 90th birthday at the residence of son, David R. Craig, Jr. Four sons in attendance. Mrs. Craig is in possession of all of her faculties and takes keen interest in events. "


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Minnesota Deaths & Burials
Name: Nancy Craig
Gender: Female
Burial Date: 18 May 1914
Burial Place: Brainerd, Minn.
Death Date: 16 May 1914
Death Place: Brainerd, Crow Wing, Minnesota
Age: 93
Birth Date: 21 Dec 1821
Birthplace:
Occupation:
Race:
Marital Status:
Spouse's Name:
Father's Name: Geo. Maans
Father's Birthplace:
Mother's Name:
Mother's Birthplace:
Indexing Project (Batch) Number: B02108-3
System Origin: Minnesota-EASy
Source Film Number: 2138908
Reference Number: 3062