L. L. CRADDOCK, M. D., with a thorough understanding of the responsibilities that devolve upon him in connection with his chosen profession, is now successfully engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery at Belcherville, Texas. He is well qualified for this work and his ability is recognized by the public in the liberal patronage that is accorded him. Dr. Craddock was born in Claybourn Parish, Louisiana, April 25, 1861, and was reared to farm life, while in his youth liberal educational advantages were afforded him. His parents were William B. [Samuel B.] and Mary (Caswell) Craddock, the former a native of Alabama and the latter of Georgia. They were married, however, in Mississippi. The paternal grandfather, Burl Craddock, was a native of the Old Dominion and was of Scotch-Irish lineage. Throughout his entire life he followed the occupation of farming and was honored in his home locality because of his genuine personal worth. He became an early settler of Alabama, where he spent his remaining days, his death there occurring. In his family were the following named: James; Richard R.; Martha, the wife of James Robinson; and Samuel B. The three brothers served throughout the Civil war in the Confederate army.
Samuel B. Craddock, father of Dr. Craddock, settled in Columbia county, Arkansas, after the close of the Civil war and was there engaged in farming. He was a mechanic and followed his trade for a number of years. In 1875 he came to Texas, settling in Montague county, where he purchased land and turned his attention to general agricultural pursuits, improving a good farm on which he remained for many years. He was a successful agriculturist, well known and highly respected. Politically he is a Democrat but without desire for office, as he has always preferred to concentrate his energies upon his business interests. For many years he was in active business life, but is now living retired at Brady City, McCulloch county, Texas, in the enjoyment of a well earned rest. His wife died at the old farm homestead in Montague county on the 10th of March, 1881. She was a daughter of Isam Caswell, a representative of an honored and prominent old southern family. Her father was a brick mason by trade and became a contractor and builder. His last years were spent in Arkansas, where his death occurred some time ago. His children were: James, who died in Georgia; Jack; Benjamin; Bud; Nancy; and Mary.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Craddock were born the following children: James, a prominent physician of Bowie, Texas where he died ; L. L., of this review; B. L., a practicing physician at Brady City; Sarah A., the wife of R. G. Brown; Alice, the wife of J. A. Lyons; Minnie C., who died at the age of twenty years; and B. F., who died at the age of eight years. Both of the parents are members of the Methodist church and their fidelity to honorable principles throughout life has gained for them the unqualified esteem of those with whom they have been associated.
Dr. Craddock, spending his boyhood days in his parent’s home, accompanied them on their various removals and assisted his father in the work of the home farm. Through his perseverance and energy he obtained a liberal education, attending first the common schools and afterward supplementing his knowledge largely through reading and investigation. At the age of seventeen years he entered upon the study of medicine under the direction of Dr. J. W. Harvey, who continued as his preceptor for four years. He then accepted a position in a drug store, where he remained for two years and in 1890 he entered upon a course of medical lectures in the Hospital Medical College at Memphis, Tennessee. After the first term he began the practice of his chosen profession in, Mississippi, where he remained successfully for two years. He then again became a student in the Hospital Medical College and after his second term he practiced at different places for three years, when he again resumed his college course. Following his graduation in 1898 he came to western Texas and located at Ebony, Mills county, where he remained for about ten months. He then located at Paintrock [Paint Rock], where lie spent three years and in December, 1901, he took up his abode in Belcherville, where he yet makes his home. In the various localities in which he has resided he has been quite successful, enjoying a constantly increasing practice, but he has sought elsewhere a broader field of labor and his usefulness and capability have in-creased as the years have gone by. He now has an extensive practice and his office is equipped with all modern accessories that supplement the skill and ability of the physician and surgeon. He belongs to the State Medical Association and keeps in touch with the advancement made by the medical fraternity, so that his labors are of marked benefit to his fellow men in the conduct of a practice that is already large and is constantly growing.
Dr. Craddock was married in Johnson county, Texas, on the 19th of October, 1898, to Miss Viola Seale, who was born in Johnson county, Texas, August 16, 1876, and is a lady of superior intellectual power and many graces of character. Her parents were A. J. and Amanda (Harris) Seale, both of whom were natives of Alabama, while her paternal grandparents were Anthony and Peggy W. (Jenkins) Seale, the former a native of Georgia and the latter of South Carolina. Their marriage, however, was celebrated in Alabama. The great-grandfather resided in Georgia and became one of the early settlers of Green county, Alabama, where he followed the occupation of farming. He was of English descent and his children were eight in number: Burton, Richard, Jerry Jarva, William, Anthony, Elizabeth and Sarah.
Anthony Seale, the grandfather of Mrs. Craddock, settled in Mississippi subsequent to his marriage and there bought and conducted a large plantation, on which he reared his family. He was one of the extensive planters and slave owners of the state and became quite wealthy but his fortune was destroyed through the ravages of war. In his political views he was a Democrat, while in religious faith he was connected with the Missionary Baptist church. He died in the year 1866. His wife survived him and removed with the family to Texas, settling on a farm in Johnson county. She was a daughter of Benjamin Jenkins of Virginia, who afterward became a leading and well known planter of Mississippi, who was active in public affairs and for many years served as justice of the peace. He too belonged to the Missionary Baptist church and he won the respect of all who knew him. His children were: James; Jackson; Richard; and Peggy W., who became the wife of Anthony Seale. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Seale were born eight children: Alexander J., the father of Mrs. Craddock; Mrs. Elizabeth Bardon; Peggy, the wife of J. Bird; Eliza, the wife of L. Bird; Mrs. Jane Young; Mrs. Martha Edwards; James, a farmer; and Jerry, who is living in Hopkins county, Texas.
Alexander J. Seale, the father of Mrs. Craddock, was reared in Mississippi and when twenty-one years of age his father established him in a mercantile business, but in the fall of the same year he heard the call of his country to arms, locked his store door and enlisted for ninety days’ service in defense of the Confederacy. On the expiration of that term he re-enlisted for three years or during the war, becoming a member of the Seventeenth Mississippi Infantry, which was attached to General Lee’s army. He participated in twenty-five hotly contested battles with Captain Holder’s Company, which went to the front with one hundred and twenty men, but only seven lived to return home, Mr. Seale being one of the number. He served his country long and well, undergoing some difficult military experiences and was at Appomattox Courthouse when General Lee surrendered. H returned home to find that his store and its contents had all been destroyed by fire and that his father’s plantation, where happiness and plenty had been known, was left in ruins and where the residence stood there was only a blank, bare spot of earth. His father had been reduced from wealth almost to penury through the ravages and devastations of war. Mr. Seale, recognizing the necessity of making a new start, came to Texas in 1866, locating first in Hopkins county, where he bought land and improved a farm successfully, continuing its cultivation for six years. He then sold out and went to Johnson county, where he purchased an improved tract of land. Success crowned his efforts and he later bought two more improved farms, being thus actively identified with agricultural pursuits until 1898. In that year he sold all but his homestead place and removed to Concho county, where he engaged in merchandizing at Paintrock. After three years he sold out there and removed to Belcherville, where he opened a stock of dry goods and groceries, conducting the store for two years, when he disposed of his stock and re-tired from active business life with a competency that he had laid aside for old age. He has been a consistent member of the Christian church since eighteen years of age and is a Royal Arch Mason. He is widely known and enjoys the confidence and respect of a large circle of friends and acquaintances, his integrity and genuine worth making him a representative citizen of the community.
Anthony Seale was married to Miss Naoma Harris, a native of Georgia, in which state her father, who was fell known and highly respected, died. Her mother afterward came with the family to Texas, settling on a farm in Johnson county. In the Harris family were six children: William and John, both deceased; Mrs. Maggie Lankford; Mrs. Lane Walraven; Mrs. Sue Morris; and Naoma, the wife of A. J. Seale. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Seale was blessed with but one child, Viola, now the wife of Dr. Craddock. She is a member of the Christian church and is a most estimable lady, presiding with gracious hospitality over their present home.
Dr. Craddock has a modern and commodious residence in Belcherville, in the rear of which is a good barn and substantial outbuildings. There is also a windmill and plenty of water. He has also some farm property, and a large pasture, while some of his land is under cultivation. He is a worthy member of the Masonic fraternity and in his practice has ample opportunity to exemplify the basic elements of the craft which has as its foundation a spirit of mutual helpfulness and brotherly kindness.
Source: B. B. Paddock, History and Biographical Record of North and West Texas (Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1906), Vol. II, pp. 605-607.