F. Burton Craige

Francis Burton Craige (March 13, 1811 – December 30, 1875) was an editor, lawyer, and U.S. representative from the south fork of the Yadkin River five miles from Salisbury, North Carolina. He was the youngest son of David and Mary Foster Craige.

Francis Burton Craige
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from North Carolina's 7th district
In office March 4, 1853 – March 3, 1861
Preceded by	William S. Ashe
Succeeded by	Alexander H. Jones
Member of the North Carolina House of Representatives
In office 1832–1834
Personal details
Born	(1811-03-13)March 13, 1811 Salisbury, North Carolina, US
Died	December 30, 1875(1875-12-30) (aged 64) Concord, North Carolina, US
Political party	Democratic
Profession	Politician, Lawyer

Personal life

As a child, he attended a classical private school in Salisbury and in 1829, he graduated from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he studied law. He was admitted to the bar in 1832 at the age of just 21, commencing practice in Salisbury. In 1836 Craige married Elizabeth Phifer Erwin, granddaughter of Matthew Locke (U.S. Congress) and had 5 children; James Alexander was born in 1841, Kerr in 1843, Francis Burton, Jr., in 1846, Mary Elizabeth in 1848, and Annie Erwin in 1852.

Craige died in Concord, North Carolina on December 30, 1875, while attending the Cabarrus County Superior Court. He was buried in the Old English Cemetery in Salisbury, North Carolina.

Career

While studying law, Craige was an editor and proprietor of the newspaper Salisbury Western Carolinian (1829-1831).^[1] Under his editorship, he made the newspaper one of chief advocates of Nullification in North Carolina, suggesting full co-operation with South Carolina in its ongoing dispute with Andrew Jackson.^[2]

Craige was one of the last borough representatives in the State House of Representatives from 1832 to 1834. In 1835, Craige was defeated by Abraham Rencher while challenging him for his seat in Congress.

Later in his career, he was elected as a Democrat from the 33rd to the 36th U.S. Congresses (March 4, 1853 – March 3, 1861). He held additional posts including Chairman, Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds, (33rd Congress), and was a delegate to the Provisional Congress of the Confederate States meeting in Richmond, Virginia from July 1861 to February 1862.

In 1847, he was awarded a master's degree by University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He was also active in Episcopal Church (United States).

Legacy

Burton Craige left his legacy in the form of a freshman residence hall at his alma mater.

References

• United States Congress. "F. Burton Craige (id: C000862)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved on 2009-04-14

Footnotes

1. "Western Carolinian (Salisbury, N.C.)". DigitalNC. Retrieved 2021-03-15.
2. "Nullification Crisis | NCpedia".

U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by William S. Ashe	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from North Carolina's 7th congressional district March 4, 1853 – March 3, 1861	Succeeded by Alexander H. Jones(1)
Confederate States House of Representatives
Preceded by (none)	Representative to the Provisional Confederate Congress from North Carolina 1861	Succeeded by (none)
Notes and references
1. Because of North Carolina's secession, the House seat was vacant for six years before Jones succeeded Craige.