CRANE, William W. 1870-1929

CRANE

Posted By: Blanche Thurman (email)
Date: 1/5/2016 at 23:16:30

William Wesley Crane

William Wesley Crane, son of Thomas and Elizabeth Jones Crane, was born at Oxford Mills, Jones County, Iowa on April 5, 1870, and died at his home in Moville, Iowa on December 14, 1929, after a lingering illness whit which he had been bedfast since early in the summer.

Coming with his parents to Ida county in the year 1877, the Crane family located on and operated the farm northwest of Battle Creek, now owned by Chas. Burow. Here he grew to manhood, assisting with various farm activities.

The deceased received his education in the rural schools, and also attended the B.C.H.S. Prior to his marriage Mr. Crane taught school for one year in Douglas township, abandoning this for farming industries. For one year he farmed near the school commonly known as Grubb college, after which he became associated with his father in stock raising, on the Fairview farm, specializing on thoroughbred Short Horn cattle and Clydesdale horses.

In the spring of 1906 Mr. Crane was united in marriage to Ida Margaret Potter. Three children, Lois Marjorie, Roberta Ruth and Virginia Rose, came to bless this union. After his marriage Mr. Crane became associated in business for ten years conducted a furniture store in Battle Creek. He also operated the meat market here for a period of five years. For the past several years the deceased conducted a meat market in Moville, together whit the furniture business at this place. The meat market at Moville was disposed of a short time ago and Mr. Crane entertained hopes of returning to Battle Creek with his family to again take up residence here.

Although the span of his life was not unusually long, he contributed his share toward the business development of this town. He was a member of and took part in all the Commercial Club activities where ever he lived. He was a friend tried and true; a shrewd business man, but failing health prevented active supervision of his business affairs during the latter period of his life.

He was a member of the Masonic, I.O.O.F. and O.E.S. orders,

Short services, in charge of Rev. Pickergill, of Moville, were conducted from the Crane home at Moville at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, December 17. A quartet comprised of James Graham, Clifford Sunborn, Clifford Larkin and Charley Smith, sang "Sweetly Resting Now".

Pall bearers were close friends and former business associates of the deceased, namely Andrew Lee, A.J. Kusian and Dr. Geo. Stolley of Moville, C.H. Dall, J. Al Behn and Jed H. Campbell of Battle Creek.

Surviving relatives aside from the immediate family, are; six brothers, Elmer, of Inola, Oklahoma, frank of Denver, Colorado, George of Holstein, Iowa, Ed H. of Inglewood, California, Eudell of Spokane, Washington and Charlie of Battle Creek.