In the central portion of what is known as Miller's Addition to the city of Poplar Bluff, is located a pottery, complete with all the facilities for the manufacture of jugs and crockery ware of all descriptions. Mr. W. N. Craven, the proprietor, established the business at his present stand, in January, 1882, and turns out a large amount of ware each month which has been pronounced by those who should know best as most excellent in quality and durability. The concern is yet young, but the manager is an enterprising gentleman who does not believe in permitting the "grass to grow under his feet," and it is his intention in a short time to make new and additional improvements, and such as will enable his establishment to furnish the surrounding country with all the goods in his line used.

W. N. Craven left North Carolina in 1857 and moved first to Illinois, across the river from St. Louis, Missouri, moved on to the Poplar Bluff area of Missouri. Courtesy of "A View of A Growing Town" PAGE 7 Transcribed © BY: Susan (Sauerwein) Opalka.

Noteworthy is the connection of the family name Craven to the Masons and Freemasons from Eighteenth Century Europe (England) and America, to Craven County, North Carolina, from the American Revolution to the present, and from vast areas Westward. As America grew, William N. Crave like many immigrated for social, economic and religious endeavors in the late 1850's from North Carolina to Illinois and on to Missouri . In the early 1840's Mormon leader Joseph Smith constructed the Navoo Temple Endowment

where the weather vain at the very top of the temple was featured a horizontal flying angel. Directly above this angel appeared the Masonic symbol "Compass with Square and Eye" . Scholars securely make a connection between Navoo, Joseph Smith, Mormonism and Masonry. The shapes of the vessel above display traits of those made decades before the 1880's indicating they may have been of William N. Craven's hand at a somewhat earlier time. Moreover is that possibility where Craven spent some time in the Navoo area "in Illinois across river from St. Louis, Missouri" to satisfy his initial reasons for going West. Evident is his connection to Illinois and that his Masonic Symbol impressed mark is more than a simple "stamped" mark. It clearly depicted and promoted his beliefs.

Also known, is one 5 gallon saltglazed ovoid storage jar with the impressed mark " W.N.CRAVEN" and bearing the same disticntive impressed Masonic symbol as on the vessel shown above.