Surname : Black

Given name : Margaret

ID # : Not sure if related.

Current date : 29 September 1988

Location of Source : Patrick J. Henry

Date of record : Unknown

Source : newspaper clipping (obituary)

Mrs. Margaret Craig

(Contributed)

Mrs. Margaret (Maggie Black) Craig, died Aug. 29^th, 1932, Mrs. Craig was born March 24^th, 1849 in Elk township, Clarion county, Penna. Here parents were William and Sarah (Berlin) Black.

William Black was the son of Frederick and Mary (Rupert) Black, and was born in the State of Maryland and came with his parents when quite a youth to Clarion county, Penna. His parents settled at Canoe Riffles, in the edge of Beaver township, in 1815. Shortly after their settlement here, Mr. Frederick Black was killed instantly while cutting down a tree.

Mrs. Sarah (Berlin) Black, the mother of Mrs. Craig, was the daughter of George and Elizabeth (Neely) Berlin. Mr. Berlin was a native of York county, Penna. After living a number of years in York, Westmoreland, Beaver, and Allegheny counties of Penna., the family removed to Clarion county, Pa. Mr. Berlin kept hotel here for years and died on his farm Nov. 1^st, 1844.

These two families, Black and Berlin were among the first people in Clarion county to settle amidst the virgin pine and hemlock; watered by swift streams and the murmuring brooklets. These early pioneers come into this wilderness with little to aid them in their efforts to establish a home or to gain a livelihood, but, with high principles, brave hearts, and strong arms, the hills and valleys slowly grew into fertile farms.

Mrs. Craig was married in 1874 to Mr. Reed McClune Craig, born Jan. 21^st, 1845, son of Washington and Nancy (Thompson) Craig, of Limestone, Clarion county, Penna.

Mr. and Mrs. Craig went to housekeeping in Limestone, later moving to New Bethlehem, Penna. They again removed to a farm near Limestone, where they lived until the purchase of the Craig homestead in the village of Limestone. Mr. and Mrs. Craig lived here until the death of Mr. Craig, which occurred Aug. 3^rd, 1915. Mrs. Craig, since the death of Mr. Craig, has made her home in Erie, Penna., and with a nephew, Mr. G. L. Craig, of Pittsburg, Penna.

Mrs. Craig was reared in the Presbyterian and Lutheran faith. After her marriage to Mr. Craig, she joined the Presbyterian church at Limestone. She was known far and near, lovingly, as aunt Maggie, to all her kinfolk and her host of friends.

Mr. and Mrs. Craig never had any children of their own, but were the foster parents of Mrs. G. L .Craig. The following nieces and nephews will miss her delightful personality and her deeds of kindness: Mrs. Kate McDowell, of Erie, Penna.; Mrs. Lillie Dotter, of Tionesta, Penna.; and Mr. Loutellis Black, Buffalo, New York; and her many grand nieces and nephews and the relatives of the Craig families. Mrs. Ellen (Berlin) McDowell, of Long Beach, California, and are the last of her cousins to survive her.

Mrs. Craig died at the home of Grier L. Craig, of Dormont, Pa., on Aug. 29^th, 1932. Her body was immediately brot to the Mateer Funeral Home at this place. Funeral services in her memory were held at 2 P. M., Wednesday of this week and were conducted by Rev. R. E. Keirn. Interment, under the of this week and were conducted by Rev. R. E. Keirn. Interment, under the direction of R. F. Mateer and Son, was made in the Limestone cemetery.