Bucks County PA Archives Biographies.....Craven, Mahlon B.
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Joe Patterson, Patricia Bastik & Susan Walters Dec 2009

Source: History of Bucks County, Pennsylvania; edited by 
J.H. Battle; A. Warner & Co.; 1887
Northampton Township


   MAHLON B. CRAVEN, retired farmer, P.O. Richboro, was born 
in Warminster township, Bucks county, April 15, 1821, his 
parents being Isaac and Christiana Craven. The family is of 
English origin. Thomas Craven, great-grandfather of Mahlon, 
with his brother Giles, was the first who came to America 
and settled in Bucks county. Giles died without posterity 
and Thomas is the direct ancestor of the family in this 
county. He died in 1799, aged 84, and was interred in the 
old burying ground in Warminster, used by the Craven and Van 
Zant families. James, the son of Thomas, was the grandfather 
of our subject. He married Adrianna Krusen, a native of 
Bucks county. James died in 1825 and his wife about 1844; 
Isaac, father of Mahlon, was the youngest of their children. 
He was a farmer and made that his life work, except such 
time as he devoted to travelling. He married Christiana Van 
Buskirk and they had five children, of whom three grew to 
maturity; Mahlon, Edmund ,and Emily Ann, deceased, wife of 
Lewis R. Praul. Isaac, father of the above, died January 17, 
1878, his widow surviving him a short time. The family were 
connected with the Dutch Reformed church. Mahlon received 
his education in the common schools of the township, but 
like many others obtained the greater part of his scholastic 
attainments by his own efforts, after the close of schooling 
days. He followed farming until 1858, since which time he 
has given most of his attention to literature. He was 
married November 12, 1850, to Isabella Test, of 
Philadelphia, who died in 1858. They had three children, of 
whom one, Milissa, has since deceased. Those living are 
Miriam and Cecelia. Mr. Craven's literary efforts have been 
chiefly confined to the discussion of religious subjects, 
and include some twenty-five critical reviews of prevailing 
beliefs from a liberal standpoint. His largest work is 
entitled "Criticism on the Theological Idea of Deity," a 
book of three hundred and fifteen pages. His works have sold 
over a large range of territory, being handled by houses 
from the Atlantic to the Pacific.