Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-10-18
LARGEST MAN LIVING
John Hanson Craig, a HoOsier, Tips
the Beam at 907 Pounds, and
MAY BE GROWING HEAVIER STILL.
Forty.one Yards of Cloth Needed for q
Suit of Clothes and
THREE POUNDS OF YARN FOR HIS HOSE.
Married to Beautiful Little Woman, Weighing 100,
Whom BE Adores

MARTINsvILLE, M IND, October 17.-ln-
diana now lays claim to the heaviest man In
the world, In the person of John Hanson
Craig, of Danville, Hendricks county.
Mr.. Craig was born in Iowa City, Ia, in
1856. When quite small his parents re-
moved to Kentucky. where they lived until
John was about 13 years old. At birth he
weighed IL pounds. When ii months old
his weight was II pounds. From this time
on his gain in flesh was phenomenal. AT
the age of years his weight was 206 pounds.
During 1858 his parents took him to New
York City aud entered him as a contestant
in the baby show inaugurated by P. 7. Bar
mum, and he was awarded a cash prize of
81, 900 as the largest and heaviest child on
exhibition. At the age Of years his weight
had increased to 302 pounds.
During the next six years his weight in
creased to 405 pounds. The 'ollowing eight
years his weight increased 1876 pounds, caus-
Ing him to tip the beam at COL pounds. At
the age of % his weight was 725; at27 it had
increased to 75S pounds. During the next
year he gained "a pounds, making his
weight at the age of % 792. From that time
on his weight has been gradually increasing
until he now tips the scales at 907 pounds.
A DELICATE EATER.
Mr.. Craig has never been i'll day in his
life, is a very delicate eater, is not addicted
to the use of intoxicants, and does not use
tobacco in any form.
Mr.. Craig stands feet inches in his
stocking feet and measures feet 4 inches at
the hips. 1t requires Al yards of cloth to
make him full suit-coat, vest and panta-
lonnc-onA foH nf IN
make him a pair of stockings. He laugh
ingly says the cows always smile when they
see him going to a shoe shop to leave his
measure Tor pair of boots. as it will take a
whole side to make him pair. He wears
No. IL boots
The father of Mr.. Craig was very small
man, weighing from 115 to 120 pounds; his
mother was a small woman, not weighing
over ITO or 115 pounds. His great-great-
grandfather, on his mothers side. was the
first Governor of Vermont, Governor Chit
tenden, and was born in ireland. His
grandfather, DR.. Hanson Catlett, was As
sstant Surgeon General of the United
States for 80 years, and died in the Govern
ment service at East Liberty, Pa. He was
native of England.
HIS WIFE is SMALL.
On his lal0er s Slue Mr. CralgS grand
father was native of Scotland. His grand
mother was German, having been born in
Frankfort. Mr.. Craig is a first cousin to
William P. Hepburn, at the present time
solicitor for the U nited States Treasury
His wife is a beautiful woman about 80
years old, small of stature, and will weigh
perhaps $50 pounds. Her luxurlant raven
black hair fails in graceful curls, reaching
below her waist. Mr.. Craig says lie fell in
love with his wife when they first met. and
as she has never tried to wear the trousers
he still adores her as much as he did the
day they were married.
Mr.. Craig is pleasant conversationalist,
and is we'll posted on the current topics of
the day; is member in good standing of
Adherent Lodge No. 43, knights of
Pythias; Silcox Lodge No. 123. Independent
Order of Odd Fellows; Matilda Lodge No.
81, Daughter of Rebekah; 'Danville En-
campment No. AZ, Independent Order OF
Odd Fellows, and Tuscarora Tribe No. 40,
Independent Order of Red Men. He takes
deep interest in the secret work of the So
cieties of which he is member, and none
are better yersed in the uHwritten work.
He is jovial man, and his friends are al
wavs glad of the opportunity of gathering
at his pleasant home for an evenings social
chat