Following his naval service, Craven returned to New York and worked as an engineer on a number of transportation and sanitation projects.

During the turn of the century, he rose through the ranks of New York City's sanitation department, eventually being appointed its commissioner in 1906.

His health began to decline shortly afterwards and Craven died in 1919 at the age of 60.

Craven was honorably discharged in 1883, but later served during the Spanish–American War and spent a short time in the Brazilian navy.

During the early 1900s, Craven moved up through the ranks of the New York City Sanitation Department, eventually spending about six months as its commissioner, until a strike forced him to resign.