CRAFTON, John Bertram
JOHN BERTRAM CRAFTON
When we think of the Titanic disaster, we ponder either the rich (Astors...) or the poor (3rd class who it is believed were the large portion of those who perished), but we certainly do not imagine a middle-aged man from Roachdale, Indiana among those on board that perilous ship.
John Bertram Crafton was born in Owen County, Indiana April 20th, 1853 (Passport Application in Chicago, Illinois on January 13, 1912) and his permanent residence "being at Roachdale, state of Indiana" where he followed the occupation of merchant. He planned on being gone for six months. His description on the application was:
Age: 58 years
Stature: 5'8"
Forehead: High
Eyes: Blue/grey
Nose: Straight
Mouth: Medium
Chin: Round
Hair: Brown
Complexion: Ruddy
Face: Round
Worth $60,000 in life insurance and $6,000 paid for his property (insurance claim from Titanic), not sure how much the stone was, but it is massive and beautiful. Found in Rose Hill Cemetery in Bloomington (Monroe County), Indiana.
Although he is listed in various Titanic material (as well as above Encyclopedia Titanica) as being 59, he lacked four days of that, and was probably looking forward to celebrating his birthday with family. Born near the town of Quincy in Harrison Township in Owen County, Indiana, he had two sisters (Sarah and Margaret) and three brothers (Henry, Thomas and David, whom he remained close to all through their lives), the parents being John and Lucy Keith Crafton from Kentucky. Although his father died when John was about a year and a half older, his mother continued raising her children alone, dying in July of 1894 in Perry Township, Monroe County, Indiana. At one point, she lived with Henry in Knox County, but she remained in the Monroe County area most of those years.
John married Sarah (called Sally) Frances Alexander, the daughter of James J. and Nancy Jane Campbell Alexander of Bloomington on January 18th, 1877 at the home of her father. The picture from findagrave may or may not be her wedding picture. It likely is, as she is quite young, it is fancy and a winter outfit since they married in January.
After the ceremony performed by Rev. Philpott, Sally and John had a short honeymoon in Indianapolis, returning a few days later where the Alexanders and a few friends had a bountiful meal, dancing and happy times. (Bloomington Courier Jan 25, 1877 p 3 - findagrave). Two sons would be born to this couple, the oldest, Harry R. the one mentioned in the Crawfordsville newspaper article below. Harry would marry, but do not believe he had children. Mainly, he took care of his mother and is listed as divorced in the census records after his father died and upon his own death just a few months after his mother died the 29th of March in 1937 at 208 E. 24th Street, Indianapolis. Harry died in July 1938. Sadly, on his death certificate, his mother's name is listed as unknown.
Sarah Frances Alesxander Crafton
Beginning his careeer as a telegraph operator, he worked up with the Monon Railroad as a conductor and finally a train master. Several in his family had done real estate developing as did John and his father, John did. In Bloomington, John invested in limestones, soon creating the Crafton Quarry Company where he developed the fields in Smithville and South Union. Local press write-ups often called him "The Stone King." He was an extremely hard worker and suffered from arthritic pain for many years.
It is unknown why the Craftons came to the Roachdale area, other than his interest had steered toward lumber at that point. They lived there about 15 years before his life was lost on the Titanic. Sally did not go on the trip with John, which was odd, as they were very closeknit, but he left to not only see sites, but more to go to the European spas to hopefully cure his pain.
Not long before he went overseas, John purchased plots at Rose Hill Cemetery in Bloomington, as he wanted to lie where he had spent so much of his life. Of course, we know that didn't happen as he is with so many other Titanic passengers. On the voyage across the Atlantic, John often told fellow passengers that he wished to return home. A few days before he left for home on the Titanic, he sent a telegram to Sally saying he would soon be home and to write to him next in New York. The 17th of April on the ship, Kaiserin Auguste Victoria was the first plan of return, but anxious to get home, he exchanged his ticket for one on the Titanic in order to get home quicker. The Victoria Hotel in London was his final "resting" place before his final resting place - he left with the others from Southampton, Ticket # 113791 for 26 Francs.
It was many days before anyone knew for certain that John Bertram Crafton body was among those departed. As with so many, his body was never found but his monument does bear the words: "Lost on the Titanic." He and Sally's young son, Woodard (named for one of the railroad friends of the Craftons) only seven months old, who died of a brain fever is on the tombstone with Sally and John, as well as their other son, John Ross. There are no descendants to my knowledge --- kbz
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Sources: encyclopedia-titanica.org -- and Application for Passport; findagrave.com; wikipedia (thanks for the pic)
Article below is what started my quest to find and honor John Crafton - kbz
Source: Crawfordsville Review, April 18, 1912
Friends of John B. Crafton of Roachdale, Indiana who is believed to have been a passenger on the ill-fated Titanic have given up hope for his safety. Richard A. Kurtz manager of the foreign department of the Fletcher American National Bank of Indianapolis received a telegram from the White Star Line officials stating that Mr. Crafton was not numbered among the survivors. Mr. Kurtz wired the NY offices of the White Star line at the instigation of Harry R. Crafton of Roachdale, son of the missing man. Mr. Crafton has been informed of the probability of his father's fate, and does not believe it possible that the passenger giving his name as Crafton on the company's records in any other person than his father. The only ray of hope that is held out for Mr. Crafton's safety is a postcard received a few days ago by a friend in Indianapolis. The message from Mr. Crafton was mailed in Italy, only a few days before the titanic sailed. The card contained no information concerning the time of Mr. Crafton's departure from Europe, but as he expressed intentions of visiting several points of interest before his return it is hoped he may be numbered among the saved passengers. Mr.Kurtz said that it is possible that Mr. Crafton after procuring passage on the Titanic decided to take a later steamship and that he may not have been on board. His friends, however, are convinced almost that he lost his life with the hundreds of other passengers.
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John Crafton of Roachdale, a son of John B. Crafton who sank to his death when the Titanic foundered in the Atlantic ocean recently was a visitor in Danville yesterday. He said that all doubt had been removed as to his father having been a passenger on the ill-feated vessel and that they had no hope of recovering the body. The son recently met with an accident and has to wear his nose in a paster – Danville Gazette.
Findagrave memorial - do rest in peace, dear sir !
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/8010/john-bertram-crafton