L.J. CRAIG, county commissioner of Jay County, one of the leading business men of Bryant, is a native of Ohio, born in Mercer County, October 1, 1852, a son of H.J. and Alpha (Baker) Craig, natives of Darke County, Ohio, the father of Scotch and Welsh ancestry. The Craig family came to Ohio in 1839 and were among the early settlers of Mercer County. L.J. Craig was reared to manhood in Mercer County, and received his education in the schools of that county. At the age of seventeen years he commenced to work for the Royer Wheel Company, where he was employed for four years. When twenty-one years old he entered the employ of the firm of S.H. Adams & Company, as a common laborer, but by strict attention to his business, and always having the interests of the company at heart, he was rapidly promoted until he held a responsible position, which he filled with credit to himself and to the entire satisfaction of the company. After being in their employ but a short time he located at Bryant, to take charge of their extensive business at that point. He is now extensively engaged in dealing in hardwood lumber and ties, and is also contractor for gas and oil wells. He is still making his home in Bryant, where he has a good house and valuable farm property. Mr. Craig was married July 4, 1878, to Miss L.J. Elberson, who was born and reared in Hancock County, Ohio, a daughter of S.C. Elberson. Four children have been born to this union -Frank, Ada, Grover C. and an infant son. In politics Mr. Craig casts his suffrage with the Democratic ticket to the same office, for a term of three years, and is serving to the best interests of the county. He has taken an active part in the improvement of the county, and has been instrumental in having built some of the best pikes in Jay County, to be found in the State of Indiana. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, belonging to Lodge No. 88, of Portland.