My Genealogy Hound

JOHN CRANE, a retired farmer living in the village of Catharine, was born August 16, 1814, in Seneca County, N. Y., and is a son of David and Polly (Whitney) Crane, and the grandson of Belden Crane, who was of English descent. When our subject was but five years of age the family removed to Tompkins County and located in the town of Hector, where the father purchased a tract of land and engaged in farming. Thirteen years later he removed to Schuyler County and purchased a farm in the town of Catharine, and here our subject remained, assisting in the cultivation of the farm until thirty-two years of age. On the 6th of December, 1846, he was united in marriage with Elizabeth Sidney, who was born in the town of Newfield, Tompkins County, but which was then a part of Chemung County. By this union there were born four children, two of whom are now living: Cora, the wife of Myron Hewitt, a farmer in the town of Catharine; and David B., a merchant in the village of Catharine, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work.

After their marriage Mr. Crane still remained on the home farm, which he operated, on account of the fact that his father was incapacitated by age from taking charge of the work. On the death of the father, he sold his interest in the estate and purchased one hundred and twenty-acres of land east of Catharine, which was his home until 1891. That year he sold out and removed to the village of Catharine, where he has since lived a retired life. In politics he was originally a Henry Clay Whig, with which party he voted until its dissolution, when he became a Republican, and has since voted that party’s ticket. Both Mr. and Mrs. Crane have been members of the Methodist Episcopal Church for forty years. He has been a Master Mason for many years, holding membership with Myrtle Lodge No. 132, F. & A. M. For the past four years Mr. Crane has been disabled from any active work by the rheumatism, but he bears his afflictions with Christian fortitude and with the blessed assurance that in the “home over there” he will be free from pain.

Zebulon Crane, the great-grandfather of our subject, removed to this locality from Tompkins County in 1814, and for many years was engaged in the mercantile business in partnership with his brother, Judge Samuel Crane. They were both members of the Presbyterian Church, and were men of high Christian character and integrity. It is a remarkable fact that no member of the Crane family was ever arrested for any crime. They have always been honest, God-fearing men and women, and have lived in such a manner as to win the respect and confidence of all those with whom they were brought in contact.