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Below is a family biography included in The Portrait and Biographical Record of Randolph, Jackson, Perry and Monroe Counties, Illinois published by Biographical Publishing Co. in 1894.  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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MRS. NANCY E. CRANDLE, widow of the late James M. Crandle, resides on section 22, township 7, range 5, where for the past fifty-five years she has made her home. Her parents came to this farm in 1839 and her father purchased a tract of forty acres, also entered three tracts of the same size from the Government. Two of these he bought at $1.25 per acre, while the third was only twelve and one-half cents per acre. Coming to this county a poor man, with little of this world’s goods to call his own, by excellent management and tireless industry he accumulated a valuable property. Better than that, he gained the esteem of all with whom he came in contact and who were won to him by his unvarying kindness of heart and nobility of life. At the age of sixty-eight years, on the 9th of September, 1869, he was called hence. His wife survived him for some years, her death occurring February 6, 1890, at the age of eighty-four. They were consistent members of the Presbyterian Church, and by their lives exemplified the sincerity of their religious belief.

The subject of this sketch was born in Rowan County, N. C., January 31, 1833, and accompanied her parents to Illinois in 1839, settling in Randolph County, where she grew to mature years. Her marriage occurred March 16,1863, and united her with James Crandle. This gentleman was a native of Canada and came to Illinois at the age of five years, settling in Boone County. In 1859 he came to Randolph County, where he followed his chosen occupation, that of agriculture. To Mr. and Mrs. Crandle were born five children, of whom the following are now living: James S., Sarah Eunice E., Eugene and Merritt. The daughter married Martin Conder and lives in Mt. Vernon, Ill. The others reside with their mother. They have received excellent educations, and Eugene is a successful teacher.

In 1870 Mrs. Crandle was bereaved by the death of her husband, about seven years after their marriage. Though left with a family of small children dependent upon her, she did not become discouraged, but worked patiently and perseveringly until success was hers. Her sons are manly and energetic, and her daughter amiable and accomplished, and the honorable position they occupy is due in no small degree to the self-sacrificing efforts of the devoted mother. The home farm consists of sixty acres of land, from which Mrs. Crandle receives a good income. In religious belief she is a member of the Presbyterian Church, which she joined at the age of sixteen years. Her husband was identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church. In this part of the county she is well and favorably known and is numbered among the most popular ladies of the neighborhood where she has so long resided.

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This family biography is one of 679 biographies included in The Portrait and Biographical Record of Randolph, Jackson, Perry and Monroe Counties, Illinois published in 1894.  View the complete description here: The Portrait and Biographical Record of Randolph, Jackson, Perry and Monroe Counties, Illinois

View additional Randolph County, Illinois family biographies here: Randolph County, Illinois Biographies

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