Craig, D. I. (David Irwin), 1849-1925

David Irvin Craig was born in Orange County, N.C., in 1849. He received his early education at the old Hughes Academy at Cedar Grove, N.C.; was a student at Davidson College, 1874-1875; and, in 1878, graduated from the Theological Seminary in Columbia, S.C. He was licensed to preach in May 1878 in Greensboro, N.C., and served as pastor at the Reidsville Presbyterian Church in Reidsville, N.C., until 1925. In 1881, Craig married Isabel Gertrude Newman of Columbia, S.C., with whom he had four children. Craig was elected as a representative of Orange Presbytery in the General Assembly, served as Moderator of Synod and the Presbytery, was one of ten original regents of Barium Springs Orphanage, held the Stated Clerk position for both the Orange Presbytery and the Synod, and was a trustee of Davidson College and Union Theological Seminary. He wrote historical works on Presbyterianism. Craig died in 1925.

From the description of D.I. Craig papers, 1876-1929. WorldCat record id: 276679555

David Irvin Craig was born in Orange County, N.C., to James Newton Craig and Mary Emeline Margaret Strayhorn on 11 February 1849. He received his early education at the old Hughes Academy at Cedar Grove, N.C.; was a student at Davidson College between 1874 and 1875; and in 1878, he graduated from the Theological Seminary in Columbia, S.C. He was licensed to preach in May 1878 in Greensboro, N.C., and was invited to pastor at the Reidsville Presbyterian Church in Reidsville, N.C. Craig married Isabel Gertrude Newman of Columbia, S.C., on 7 September 1881. During their 33-year marriage, they had four children: Marion Craig Purcell of Salisbury, N.C.; Carl B. Craig of Laurinburg, N.C.; Irvin M. Craig of Wilmington, N.C.; and Louise Craig of Reidsville, N.C.

D.I. Craig served as the pastor for the Reidsville Presbyterian Church until 1921, when his health began to fail; however, he continued as the Pastor Emeritus until his death on 9 February 1925. In addition to serving as the pastor of the Reidsville Presbyterian Church, D.I. Craig was elected as a representative of Orange Presbytery in the General Assembly; served as Moderator of Synod and the Presbytery; was one of ten original Regents of Barium Springs Orphanage; held the Stated Clerk position for both the Orange Presbytery and the Synod; was a trustee of Davidson College and a member of the Board of Directors; and was a trustee for the Union Theological Seminary. Craig also served as a scholar for the Synod and Presbytery of North Carolina. He wrote historical publications and treatises on Presbyterianism, including A history of the development of the Presbyterian Church in North Carolina and of the Synodical home missions: together with evangelistic addresses by James I. Vance and others (1907) and A historical sketch of New Hope Church, in Orange County, N.C. (1891).

From the guide to the D.I. Craig Papers, 1876-1929, (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Library. Southern Historical Collection.)