Cephas P. Crane, b. 14 Dec 1853

ROUNDY, TILLOSTON, GODARD, CLARK

Posted By: Donna Moldt Walker (email)
Date: 2/21/2004 at 10:52:55

Cephas P. Crane is one of the enterprising, intelligent young men who have grown up with Jackson County, and have become identified with its interests. He was born Dec. 14, 1853, on the farm where he now resides in South Fork Township, and since 1873 he has been actively engaged in its management. He is also interested in the manufacture of lumber, and owns a steam saw-mill with his brother-in-law. His father, Francis H. Crane, was numbered among the sturdy, resolute pioneers of Jackson County, who did much for its early development, and he was for some time closely connected with the agricultural interests of South Fork Township, of which he was an early settler. He was a native of Moriah, Essex Co., N.Y., where his father, Samuel Crane, who was born and bred in the town of Washington, Sullivan Co., N.H., located in 1826, buying a tract of land in the part of the town known as West Moriah, building a blacksmith shop, and working at his trade part of the time, and farming the remainder. He lived there a few years, and then sold and removed to East Moriah, where he bought an improved farm, and devoted himself almost entirely to agricultural pursuits, residing there many years. He finally came to Iowa in his last years, and made his home with his children until his death. The maiden name of his wife, grandmother of our subject, was Keturah Roundy, and she was a native of Sullivan County, N.H. She also spent her last days in Jackson County. There were eight children born to that worthy couple - James H., Mary A., Harriet L., Amelia A., Francis H., Fayette, Almira E., and Samuel N.

The father of our subject was reared in his native county, and was there married to Jane Tilloston. He remained a resident of New York for some time after his marriage, then came to Iowa to take advantage of the cheap lands and marvelously fertile soil of this region, and bought a tract of wild prairie on sections 32 and 29. He immediately commenced the improvement of a farm, which remained his home until his premature demise, when this township lost one of its most worthy and highly regarded citizens. His wife died in 1856.

The subject of this sketch thus orphaned at a very early age, went to live with his uncles, and remained with them until he was thirteen years old. He then became self-supporting, having an independent, self-reliant spirit, and went out to work by the month, except in the winter season, when he did chores for his board, that he might attend school, the intelligent, wide-awake lad, being very desirous of securing an education. He was industrious and thrifty, and wisely saved his earnings, and early in 1873, had accumulated enough money to warrant his marrying and establishing a home, and on the 11th of March, his union with Miss Lucia Godard, was solemnized. She was a native of South Fork Township, and a daughter of Milton and Emoret (Clark) Godard. Four children were born to them, of whom two, Aura and Lura are living. After marriage Mr. Crane settled on the old homestead, which he still owns and occupies. He has met with fine success in his career as a farmer and stock-raiser, as he is skillful and judicious in the management of his affairs. His property is well improved, the land is under excellent tillage, and everything about the place is neat and orderly. In 1888 Mr. Crane became associated with his brother-in-law, Loyal Godard, in the ownership of a steam saw-mill located on section 17, South Fork Township, and they are doing a profitable business in the manufacture of lumber.

Mr. Crane possesses sufficient firmness of character, tenacity of purpose, and shrewd judgment, to make his career in life a success. He is a young man of fine reputation, sound business principles, and excellent habits, and as such, is an honor to the citizenship of his native town. He takes an intelligent interest in local and National affairs, is well-informed concerning them, and gives his earnest support to the Republican party.

("Portrait and Biographical Album of Jackson County, Iowa", originally published in 1889, by the Chapman Brothers, of Chicago, Illinois)