Note Type
Historical NoteNote
Henry Craft, one of the oldest members of the Memphis bar, obtained his literary education at Oglethorpe University, Milledgville, Ga., completing the same in 1839. He then followed various occupations and in 1847 began the study of law at Holly Springs, Miss., with Hon. J. W. C. Watson. He attended law school at Princeton, New Jersey. He was admitted to the bar in 1848, in Holly Springs, Miss., and practiced his profession there ten years as a member of the firm of Watson & Craft. In 1858 he came to Memphis, where he has since resided. In 1862 he enlisted in the Confederate service and was a member of Gen. Chalmer's staff until his health failed. He has since practiced law, part of the time alone, and then as a member of the firm of Kortrecht & Craft, until 1873, and of Kortrecht, Craft & Scales until 1875. The present firm of Craft & Cooper was formed in 1878. His father, Hugh Craft, was born on the eastern shore of Maryland, in 1799, and his mother, whose maiden name was Mary E. Pitts, was born in North Carolina, in 1799. They married in Georgia, in 1819, and his father was a merchant there, residing first in Milledgeville and afterward in Macon until 1839. The family moved to Holly Springs, Miss., in 1839, and his father was land agent there until his death in 1867. His mother had died in 1826, and his father had married Martha Cheney in South Carolina, who soon died, and he married Elizabeth R. Collier, who bore him three sons and five daughters. This lady's death occurred in 1877. Our subject was one of two sons and three daughters of the first wife and was born April 8, 1823, at Milledgeville, Ga. In 1856 he married Miss Ella D. Boddie, daughter of Elijah Boddie, of Sumner County, Tenn. She has borne him the following children: Alfred D., born 1858, died 1884; Mary F., born 1861, died 1885; Henry, born 1866; Charles K., born 1868, died 1873; Paul, born 1870: Hugh, born 1874. Mr. Craft is a Democrat and himself and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church.