Theodore R. Crandell 1835-1908

CRANDELL

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 11/6/2022 at 23:47:47

Theodore R. Crandell
(November 18, 1835 - February 13, 1908)

T. R. Crandell, banker, was born in Dutchess Co., N. Y., on the 18th day of November, 1835. Here in the land of his nativity he received his education in the common schools of the Empire State. In 1856 he turned his back upon the parental rooftree, and started out to seek his fortune in the new Eldorado of that time, in the mighty West. He came to Iowa, and settled at Decorah, Winneshiek county, where he entered the dry goods store of A. Newall in the capacity of clerk. A few years passed in this way, when, in connection with Guy C. May-nard, he purchased the stock of his former employer, and opened up under the firm name and style of Crandell & Maynard. The panic of 1857 had some effect on business that militated on their doing any large amount of trade, yet they struggled on under the burden. In August, 1862, the subject of this sketch enlisted in company E, of the 38th Iowa Infantry, and was mustered into the service of the United States Nov. 4, 1862, at Dubuque, as 2d lieutenant. On the 15th of April, 1863, he was promoted to the position of 1st lieutenant and regimental quartermaster, and to the rank of captain, July 31, 1864. He was now transferred to company K, of the 34th Iowa Infantry. He has participated in the following engagements: Siege and capture of Vicksburg, Yazoo City and Fort Morgan; siege and charge on Fort Blakely, Ala. He was mustered out at Brownville, Texas, and discharged at Davenport, Sept. 5, 1865. After leaving the army he returned to Decorah, having purchased a stock of goods at St. Louis, on his way home. Finding, however, that business was over done in that place, he, after a trip to his old home, in New York, which he then sold, entered into the lumber and grain business at Decorah, as the Company of Merrill, Leach & Co. In the fall of 1874 he came to Northwood, when he embarked in his present business. Mr. Crandell was married in Decorah to Susan M. McMurtrie, a daughter of Henry McMurtrie, of Albion, Mich. Two children have blessed this union- Lettie and John. In politics Mr. Crandell is a staunch republican, and is a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity and of the Grand Army of the Republic. When he came west he had but eighty-six dollars of ready money, but instead of sitting down and waiting he went manfully to work, and by judicious management and strict economy has acquired an easy competency, and takes a fair rank among the wealthy business men of the great northwest. Source: History of Mitchell and Worth Counties, Iowa, 1884, p.824