My Genealogy Hound

DAVID B. CRANE, a merchant at Catharine, and general agent for The Aultman Company of Canton, Ohio, is a son of John Crane, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work. He was born on the old homestead in the town of Catharine, November 7, 1853, and remained on the home farm until eleven years of age, when he came to the village and entered the public schools, there receiving his education. He remained with his parents and assisted his father with the farm work until twenty-three years of age. In February, 1877, he began in life for himself in the farm-implement business at Catharine, continuing in that line in connection with farming until 1884, after which he devoted his entire time and attention to the trade, with the exception of a short time spent as a traveling salesman for the Fleming Manufacturing Company at Ft. Wayne, Ind. In 1889 he gave up the implement business and went into the employ of the Western Wheel Scraper Company of Aurora, Ill., with which he remained four years as special agent and expert operator, introducing the machines, and traveling in the Western and Southern States. In 1893 he engaged with the Climax Road Machine Company of Marathon, N. Y., having as his territory eastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, West Virginia and Virginia. After remaining with that company until December, 1894, he accepted the general agency of The Aultman Company of Canton, Ohio. Although making his home in Catharine, he is almost continually on the road, but has a vacation of two months each year.

In 1893 Mr. Crane established his present mercantile business at Catharine, which is in charge of his wife, who has proved her ability by making the store a success, attending to the buying and all the details of the business. In 1892 Mr. Crane was elected Justice of the Peace, which position he still holds, and he has held other local offices besides. For some years he has been School Trustee, taking an active interest in all educational matters, and has been instrumental in bringing the schools of Catharine to their present high standard. His interest in educational matters has been intensified by practical experience in the schoolroom. At the age of twenty he began teaching in the district school, following that profession for five years, and since his marriage has taught two terms. In politics he has always been a Republican, and cast his first Presidential vote for R. B. Hayes.

Mr. Crane was married at Catharine to Jane Millspaugh, a native of Catharine, born April 17, 1853, and a daughter of Daniel and Mary (Scott) Millspaugh. Her father is one of the oldest and most respected citizens of the town, and is still living on the old homestead. By this union two children have been born, George B. and Willie C. Since eighteen years of age Mr. Crane has been a member of Highland Grange No. 22, of Catharine, in which order he has been active. He has also been an active member of the Good Templars, and has served that order as County Deputy.