Dr. Benjamin Franklin Craven of Texas County, Missouri

Dr. Benjamin Franklin Craven, a prominent and successful practitioner of Licking, Mo., was born in Randolph County, N. C., August 2, 1845, being the son of Rev. John W. and Henrietta (Johnson) Craven. The father was a native of North Carolina, born October 2, 1821, and was licensed to preach in the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, in 1849, although his principal occupation through life was farming and merchandising. The mother was born October 26, 1820, in Virginia. After marriage they lived in North Carolina until 1857, when they came to Texas County, and settled within three miles of Licking, where they spent the remainder of their lives. He died December 30, 1884, and she August 31, 1887. Their family consisted of eight children, six sons and two daughters, only three sons now living, of whom two are M. D.'s. The oldest living one of these children is Dr. Benjamin F. Craven, who came with his parents to Texas County when twelve years of age. He received a good literary education in the common schools in youth, and assisted his father on the farm. When about twenty-one years of age he began the study of medicine with Dr. D. T. Collier, of Licking, and in 1867 entered the Missouri Medical College at St. Louis, where he graduated in 1869. He then located at Lake Spring, in Dent County, and practiced a year with Dr. John Hyer, after which he practiced by himself. In 1872, and while in the last named county, he married Miss Mattie L. Arthur, a native of Dent County. Two children were born to this union, one of whom is now living, John Arthur. The same year of his marriage Dr. Craven removed to Licking, where he has had a good practice since. For about fifteen years he has made a specialty of the eye, being quite successful in treatment. In the spring of 1888 he took a post graduate course at Missouri Medical College, paying especial attention to the eye. He is a member of Rolla District Medical Association, Texas County Medical Society, and is a member of the A. O. U. W. He lives on his farm adjacent to the town, and has the advantage of both country and city. As a physician Dr. Craven has met with success, and has devoted himself exclusively to his profession. He is a Democrat in politics, and is a man who takes an interest in all worthy enterprises. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.