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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Chautauqua County, New York published by John M. Gresham & Co. in 1891.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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JAY E. CRANDALL. Many men become prominent towards the end of a long life, when the sun is setting and the period of usefulness is about over, but it is something unusual for one to gain prominence when but thirty years of age. Such a man is Jay E. Crandall, a son of Hosea B. and Malvina (Kelsey) Crandall, who was born in Brocton, Chautauqua county, New York, September 22, I860. The Crandalls are of English descent, and Hosea B. Crandall, father of Jay E., was a native of Kinderhook, Columbia county, N. Y. He came to Chautauqua county in 1837, and located at Brocton, where he has since lived, and has now reached the age of sixty-five years. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and a straight republican. Mr. Crandall early learned the trade of a carpenter, but for the last eighteen years has been engaged in manufacturing grape and berry baskets. In partnership with J. E. Crandall (his son), they have a large factory in Brocton and one at Perrysburg, both of which, in the summer time, employ fifty men. Mr. Crandall was the pioneer in the basket business at Brocton. With his son, they have a fine grape orchard at this place. He married Malvina Kelsey. Mrs. Crandall is now fifty-seven years old, and is a member of the M. E. church.

Jay E. Crandall is a stirring, energetic young man. He was reared in Brocton, and got his education in the public schools. After reaching a sufficient size, he helped his father in his basket business, and began to grow grapes on his own account. In April, 1886, his father admitted him as a partner, since which the firm name has been Crandall & Son.

In 1883 Jay E. Crandall was married to Adella, daughter of Martin Cary, of Brocton, and they have two children: Olive M. and Aline L.

J. E. Crandall is an adherent of the Republican party and a member of the Knights of Pythias, in which he takes a leading part. He is an enterprising and pushing man, active and leading in every cause that is for the welfare of Brocton, and is a representative citizen of the new Brocton.

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This family biography is one of 658 biographies included in Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Chautauqua County, New York published in 1891. 

View additional Chautauqua County, New York family biographies here: Chautauqua County, New York Biographies

View a map of 1897 Chautauqua County, New York here: Chautauqua County, New York Map

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