Jesse Cravens

He is written about in the 1901 Biographic sketches of Cowley County. He came to Cowley County in the fall of 1870.
[1870]  PAGE 105.
JESSE CRAVENS, farmer, located in the fall of 1870. He was born in Wayne County, Ohio, January 31, 1846. His father was William Cravens, also born in Ohio.
Jesse Cravens enlisted February 27, 1864, in Company M, 9th Reg., Ohio Vol. Cav., under Capt. Henry V. Epley. He took part in all the engagements and marches of that regiment, including Sherman's march from Atlanta to the Sea. He received his discharge at Lexington, North Carolina, July 20, 1865.
Jesse's father, William Cravens, learned the trade of plasterer, although he devoted many years to agricultural pursuits. In the spring of 1806 he moved to De Kalb County, Missouri, where he purchased 160 acres of land and engaged in farming until 1883. Then he sold out and moved to Cowley County, Kansas. He purchased 80 acres in section 17, Ninnescah Township, which he cultivated until three years prior to his death in October 1890—at which time he was seventy-eight years old. He died in Cameron, Missouri, while visiting his daughter. His wife was Clarinda Lozier, also a native of Ohio, who died in 1885, aged seventy-six years. They were the parents of a large family of children: Elizabeth; David; Jesse; Martha; Mary; Jennie; Sarah; Alice; Robert; John; William; and Serena.
Jesse Cravens, William's son, obtained a common school education, and during his early youth learned his father's trade—that of a plasterer—and followed it for four years at Cameron, Missouri. He arrived in Cowley County in the fall of 1870, and took up his present farm in March 1871. It consisted of the southwest quarter of section 17, in Ninnescah Township. In the following year, he sold half of it and bought 80 acres south adjoining, in 1876. In 1890 he bought another tract of 80 acres, comprising the south half of the southwest quarter of section 16, known as the William Meese place. Of this last purchase, 60 acres had been broken, and a small house had been built. Mr. Cravens' home was erected in 1896, and his barn in 1880, and the other buildings were put up as needed. His principal crops were wheat and corn, although he also raised many hogs and cattle.
Jesse Cravens was married at Osborn, De Kalb County, Missouri, to Laura Bowers of that county, a daughter of William Bowers.
Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Cravens had seven children: Sarah Jane, wife of William Jones, an engineer residing at San Francisco, California; Mary Ellen, who lived at San Francisco, California; William Emery; Hila, who married Frank Chenoworth of Sumner County, Kansas; Lewis; Everett; and Harry.
Jesse Cravens was raised a Democrat, but of late years worked with the Populist party; he served as township trustee and as school director. He belonged to the A. O. U. W., Lodge No. 144, of Udall, and Udall Lodge, No. 508, I. O. O. F.
Mr. Cravens was a self-made man. When he located in Cowley County, he had only a horse and $3 in money. His success in life was largely due to his good management in farming, and to his industry.
                                           [HAD PHOTO:  JESSE CRAVENS.]