Benton Co., AR - Biographies - James E. Crane *********************************************** This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: The Goodspeed Publishing Co Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgenwebarchives.org *********************************************** ---------------------------------------------------------------------- SOURCE: History of Benton, Washington, Carroll, Madison, Crawford, Franklin, and Sebastian Counties, Arkansas. Chicago: The Goodspeed Publishing Co., 1889. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- James E. Crane. The Crane family was first represented in the United States by three brothers, who came from England and settled in New England, the great- grandfather of our subject being one of the brothers. The grandfather of James E. Crane was Elihu Crane, who was born in Massachusetts February 8, 1763, and was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. He moved with his family to Erie County, Penn., at an early day, being one of the first settlers of that region. His son. Elihu Crane, the father of James E., was born in 1791, at Stockbridge, Mass., and when only four years of age was taken with his parents to Erie County. Penn. He was a soldier in the War of 1812 and 1814. He assisted his father in tilling the soil, and January 31, 1827, was married to Nancy Carlin, who was of Irish descent, born in Crawford County, Penn., September 5, 1806. She died in 1886 and he in 1875. The following were their children: James E., Wealthy (wife of J. J. Ticknor). Adonijah, Abiather, Nancy (wife of George N. Sawdy). John (deceased) and Joel. James E. Crane was born in Erie County, Penn., January 14, 1829, and was educated at an academy at Albion, Penn. He followed various occupations, but was principally engaged in farming. He was married in Lockport. Erie Co, Penn., December 29, 1852, to Emily Leach, a native of Pennsylvania, born April 19, 1833, and their union has been blessed in the birth of ten children: Ella L., wife of V. D. Billiang: Wealthy, wife of Walter Robley; George, deceased; Mary I., wife of Henry Robley; Ulysses G., James L., Emily J., John C., Clara L. and Milo T. In 1862 Mr. Crane enlisted in the Union army, and was commanded at various times by Burnside, Hooker and Meade, and served as sergeant for one year. He resided in Pennsylvania until 1876, when he and family moved to Kansas, where he tilled the soil until 1887, and then came to Siloam Springs, Ark. He cast his first presidential vote for Gen. Scott, and in his political views is a Republican.