John R. Cravens
John Robert Cravens (1819 – 1899) was a politician from the U.S. state of Indiana. Between 1861 and 1863 he served as acting Lieutenant Governor of Indiana.
Life
John Cravens was born in Madison, Jefferson County in Indiana. There is no information about his youth and education. He joined the Republican Party and was elected to the Indiana Senate, where he became the President Pro Tempore. In 1861 Governor Henry Smith Lane resigned from his office to accept a seat in the U.S. Senate. His Lieutenant Governor Oliver P. Morton followed him as new Governor of Indiana. According to the state constitution the now vacant position of the Lieutenant Governor was filled by the President Pro Tempore of the State Senate, John Cravens. He served in this position between 16 January 1861 and 9 October 1863 when he resigned. Afterwards he served as an officer in the Union Army during the last years of the American Civil War. Between 1868 and 1871 he was again a member of the Indiana State Senate. He also owed a mill and he was active in the Railroad business. In addition he was part owner of the Madison Banner for a short time. John Cravens died from complications of Lues Disease in 1899 in his Hometown Madison.