Cranston, Wesley

CRANSTON, BORTON, BUCHER, MORGAN

Posted By: Gary Norris (email)
Date: 1/4/2013 at 07:59:28

The History of Poweshiek County, Iowa
Des Moines: Union Hist. Co., 1880.

CRANSTON, WESLEY - Deep River Twp - pg 721-22. Section 11, P.O. Deep River. His father was born in Ireland, in 1790, and came to America when fourteen years old, settling in Chester county, Pennsylvania, where he married Anna Cummings, who was a native of Delaware. In 1812 he removed to Guernsey county, Ohio, where he was proprietor of a large farm until his death in 1875. Wesley was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, July 20, 1827. He was educated in his native county, and worked at home until his majority was attained, when he received a good horse from his father, and otherwise unaided, began the foundation of his present prosperity. In 1864, he immigrated to Iowa and bought and cultivated 240 acres of land. He purchased and moved to his present place in 1872. He married August 17, 1848, Rebecca Borton, of Guernsey county, Ohio, who was born March 4, 1825. They have raised five children: Wm. T. (born August 3, 1849, married Mary Bucher), Rueben B. (born December 7, 1850, married Ada Morgan), Jas. H (born October 6, 1854), Ann Elizabeth (born September 6, 1857) and C.B. (born May 2, 1860). One son, James, deserves special mention for characteristic energy and enterprise, which have crowned him early with an uncommon prosperity. Beginning with the small sum of money obtained by the sale of a bushel of hickory nuts he had gathered, now, at the age of but twenty-six years, he is the owner of several hundred acres of fertile land in California, where he lives and drives a flourishing business. Mr. Cranston owns 108 - acres, including his excellent farm and fifty acres of timber. He has deeded eighty acres each to his two oldest sons. His place is well stocked, unembarrassed and in splendid condition. The surroundings of his residence bear marks of native taste, intelligence and culture.