Crane, Mary Jane Eller (1833-1918)

ELLER, TRUDELL, BECKNER, GOODRICH, DINGMAN, HURD, PARKER

Posted By: Wanda J. Huisman
Date: 2/27/2005 at 14:38:17

Mary Jane Eller Crane 1833-1918

(Obituary taken from Webster City, S.S. newspaper and was posted in the scrapbook of "Jennie" Sarah Virginia Beckner Crane)

Mary Jane Eller was born May 27, 1833 in Pennsylvania and passed away April 10, 1918, at the home of her son, Charlie Crane, at Ispswich, South Dakota. Mrs. Crane was well known to many of the older settlers of this county, having come to Iowa at the age of twenty-one years. In 1855 she was united in marriage to James Samuel Crane, who passed away twenty-four years ago.

To this union were born ten children--Rosemond, who died at the age of nineteen; C.S. Crane, Ispswich, South Dakota; S.D. Crane and E. J. Crane, Lebonon, South Dakota; Mrs L. A. Trudell, Minot, South Dakota; Mrs Alice Beckner, Genoa, Colorado; Mrs Richard Goodrich and Mrs George Dingman of Lehigh; Mrs R. J. Hurd, Willams and Mrs J. E. Parker of this city.

Mrs Crane is survived by nine children, sixty grandchildren and thirty seven great-grandchildren. Since the death of her husband, she has made her home with her children. She was a good mother and loyal neighbor. Her children rise up and call her blessed and good works do follow her. At an early age she united with the United Brethren Church of this city. Mrs. Crane was a life member of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union. She was in the best of health until four days before her death, when whe was stricken with bronchial pneumonia.

The funeral sevices were held at the home of her daughter, Mrs J. E. Parker. in this city, conducted by Rev. Percy, a former pastor of the U. B. Church. The remains were laid to rest in the Graceland Cemetary.

Mary Jane Eller (Another obituary from a different newspaper)

Mary Jane Eller was born Mary 27th, 1833, in Pennsylvania, and died April 10th, 1918 at Ispswich, South Dakota, after an illness of only four days duration.

She was married on January 3, 1853, to James Samuel Crane. To this union ten children were born, all of whom survive her with the exception of Rosemond, who died at the age of nineteen years.

Mrs Crane united with the Methodist church at an early age and has been a faithful member of it ever since. She was a woman who lived a beautiful Christian life, and all of her old friends here speak in the highest terms of her. She was a good friend, a loving wife and mother.

She leaves to mourn her, the following nine children: Mrs R. Goodrich and Mrs G. Dingman of Homer, Iowa; Mrs A. Beckner, Sherman and Edmond of Lebonon, South Dakota; Mrs J. E. Parker of Webster City and Mrs R. J. Hurd of Williams.

Mr and Mrs Crane came to Hamilton County, while it was still a wilderness (1881) with only one house between Alden and Webster City, and the nearest railroad station at Iowa Falls. Here this strong faithful woman reared here children sharing the early hardships with her husband and sustaining him and the little family with her sturdy Christian faith and unfailing cheerfulness, a virtue for which she was always noted. Later they moved to South Dakota, but she has always had scores of friends here in Hamilton County where she was known and loved. Mrs Crane lived out a life full of usefulness, and she leaves a priceless heritage of a stainless and helpful life to her children and grandchildren.

The body was brought to Webster City and the funeral was held from the home of her daughter, Mrs J. E. Parker of that place on Sunday afternoon.

We join with the many friends of this noble woman in offering our sympaty to her bereaved children and grandchildren.