John Craig
Joiner
John Craig (c. 1842–1920) was a joiner and cabinetmaker, stair-railer, fret-cutter, turner and carver born in Largs, Ayrshire. He first appeared in the Glasgow Post Office Directory in 1866 as a 'fret-cutter, turner and stair-railer' working from 50 Paterson Street, Kingston on the south side of the river Clyde. 1 The firm remained in this street, moving only to number 94 by 1880. The following year 40 men and 10 boys were employed by Craig. 2 In 1891, John Craig was elected Deacon of the Incorporation of Wrights at Glasgow's Trades' House. 3 By 1905, the firm had become John Craig & Sons operating from the same address. 4 Craig retired in 1919 and business was carried on by his eldest and third sons, John Junior and William. The firm was ultimately wound up in 1951. 5
Between 1866 and 1880 Craig's business success and growing family – there were ten children in all – saw him move from the densely populated, semi-industrial West Street to three increasingly spacious homes before purchasing in 1880 the substantial detached villa Hailey Lodge, 22 Aytoun Road, in leafy Pollokshields, where he remained until shortly before his death. 6
Along with his brothers, John Craig was a keen sailor and was a member of the Royal Western Yacht Club. 7
Notes:
1: Glasgow Post Office Directory, 1866–7, p. 115; birth, death and census information, www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk and www.ancestry.co.uk [accessed 5 October 2012].
2: Glasgow Post Office Directory, 1880–1, p. 167; census information, www.ancestry.co.uk [accessed 5 October 2012].
3: Glasgow Herald, 19 September 1891, p. 4.
4: Glasgow Post Office Directory ,1905–6, p. 227.
5: Edinburgh Gazette, 8 July 1919, p. 2397; 3 July 1951, p. 342.
6: Glasgow Post Office directories, 1866–1880.
7: Information on the Craig family supplied by descendents Laurence and Lynn Fowler, by email 23 and 28 January 2013.
