Father of 4-H Clubs in Rock County
In Memoriam
J.A. was an industrialist in Janesville in the early 1900s. He’s best known for bringing General Motors to Janesville in 1919. His business success gave him wealth at an early age, which provided the means by which he could follow his lifelong passion for the development of rural youth. His favorite organization was 4-H. He was inducted into the National 4-H Hall of Fame in 2002 and has a cabin at Upham Woods named after him.
By 1929, more rural communities wanted 4-H. Mr. Craig spent several nights per week traveling to 4-H clubs in kerosene-lit rural schools, town halls, and grange halls, encouraging their efforts to organize.
Craig will be remembered for saving the Rock County Fair. In 1929, the old Janesville Fair was on the verge of closing. At a special meeting of the Rock County Board and County 4-H Leaders, it was decided that Rock County 4-H Clubs would take over the fair and allow only 4-H youth to exhibit. With the backing of J.A. Craig, the Rock County 4-H Fair was born.
At the end of his life he stated, “I consider the greatest contribution made by me in my lifetime is with 4-H. These things have prevented me from going to seed.”
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