Benjamin W. Craft, proprietor of Matinecock horse farm, and a well know agriculturist of the town of Oyster Bay, was born July 13, 1831, and is a son of Simon and Temperance (Craft) Craft. His parents, though bearing the same name, were members of different families that bore no relation to each other. His father, who was a descendant of one of the pioneers of Long Island, was born and reared on the old homestead now owned by Benjamin W., and on reaching manhood selected agriculture as his life occupation, becoming a prominent and successful farmer and an influential citizen. For many years before his death he was a director of the Glencove Mutual Insurance Company. He also served as school and road commissioner for a long time, and received the nomination for legislature on the Prohibition ticket. At the time of his death he and his brother Oliver owned two farms in this vicinity, besides property in Brooklyn, all of which was acquired through industrious and judicious efforts. He was born of Quaker parentage and trained in that faith, which he always favored, though not a member of the society. In his family there were four children, namely: Milton O., who was a farmer and lumber dealer of Glencove; Benjamin W.; Emma E., who married H. C. Coles, of Glencove, and is now deceased; and Sarah C. who resides in Glencove.

The boyhood days of our subject were spent on the home farm, where he was born and where he has spent the principal portion of his life. He was educated in the public and private schools of Glencove, and on completing his studies took charge of the homestead, which fell to him at the death of his father. The latter, during his life, had given some attention to the horse business, and this our subject has increased until he now has accommodations for seventy-five horses, the most of which come from New York City. Among the horses in his charge are some that are valuable and noted, including "Aubine" and "Zembia," that for some time held the record for a double team. This business has been established for sixty years, and our subject has carried it on for forty years. He uses on his farm all the grain he raises and is obliged to buy large quantities besides in order to properly carry on the stock business.

In 1875 Mr. Craft was elected commissioner of highways, which office he held for a number of terms. For some time he was assessor of the ton of Oyster Bay, and served as collector for one term. Politically he favors the Democratic platform. October 2, 1860 he married Miss Martha, daughter of Ebenezer and Jane Bull, of Hamptonburg, Orange County, N.Y. Mrs. Craft’s mother was a daughter of Waite Pearsall and was reared principally in Locust Valley, accompanying her parents from here to Orange County, where she married Mr. Bull. Afterward, when the family visited the old home, Mr. Craft met the daughter and their friendship ripened into an affection that resulted in their marriage.

Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Craft, of whom five are living, namely: Anna W., a successful professional teacher, John, who went to Montana in 1883 and is now a successful ranchman of Ekalaka, where he has held many prominent official positions; Edward , who remains on the home farm and assists in carrying on the business; and Harvey C. and Laura F., who are with their parents.

Source: "Portrait and Biographical Record of Queens County (Long Island) New York"
(Copyright 1896 by Chapman Publishing Company)

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