My Genealogy Hound

M. R. Crago is one of the active and prosperous farmers and stock-raisers of Grant township, living on section 19, where he owns and cultivates a farm of one hundred and twenty acres that is now a well improved and valuable tract of land. He has been a resident of this county for thirty-five years and has therefore been a witness of much of its development as it has been transformed from a wild prairie district into one of the rich agricultural sections of this great state.

He first opened his eyes to the light of day in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, on the 24th of September, 1865. His father, Joseph Crago, was a native of Pennsylvania but was reared in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, where he met and married Miss Malinda Deakin, a native of the latter state. They began their domestic life in Ohio, where they resided until after the birth of two of their children, and in 1873 the father brought his family to Iowa, locating first in Taylor county. Here he engaged in farming for several years and later removed to Creston, where he worked in a machine shop for nine years. His wife died in Creston in 1900 and Mr. Crago is now a resident of Michigan.

M. R. Crago was a youth of about eight years when brought by his parents to Iowa. His education was acquired through the medium of the public schools of Creston and starting out in life on his own account, he began providing for himself as a farm hand. Thus he was employed for several years until his careful expenditure and unfaltering diligence enabled him to engage in business on his own account, purchasing forty acres of land. As a companion and helpmate for life’s journey he chose Miss Ida Ested, whom he wedded in Creston on the 20th of February, 1894. She was born in Clay county, Iowa, a daughter of J. M. Ested, who came to this state from Colorado and is now living in Creston. He owns a farm in Douglas township, where he resided for a number of years.

Following their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Crago began their domestic life upon a farm of forty acres, which he had purchased, and with characteristic energy he began its development, bringing the fields under a high state of cultivation. Upon that place he lived for seven years and then sold the property, after which he bought the farm of one hundred and twenty acres which is yet his home. In 1907 he built a large barn. He has also put an addition to the house and his buildings, now substantial in character, stand in the midst of well tilled fields which give promise of golden harvests. Year by year he raises good crops of corn and other cereals and is well known as a successful stock raiser and feeder.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Crago have been born four children: Arthur M., Milton J., Harry E. and Vera V. The family are well known in the community and Mr. and Mrs. Crago have an extensive circle of warm friends. His political support is given to the republican party and, while he is not a politician in the sense of office-seeking, he always keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day, as every true American citizen should do. His wife, from early womanhood, has been a member of the Christian church, being identified with the congregation of Cromwell. While Mr. Crago has devoted the greater part of his life to agricultural pursuits, he was employed in machine shops for two years in early manhood. He was also connected with a meat market of Creston and delivered meat all over the city. His business interests brought him a wide acquaintance and wherever known he is held in high esteem because of the social, genial nature which is his, and deference for the opinions of others.