Col. Frank Crane Biography


	This biography appears on pages 1316-1317 in "History of South 
	Dakota" by Doane Robinson, Vol. II (1904) and was scanned, 
	OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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	COL. FRANK CRANE.—On the 14th day of December, 1855, the subject 
of this sketch was born in the state of Wisconsin. He was educated at 
Gale College, receiving from that excellent institution the degrees of 
Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts. At sixteen years of age he felt 
called to the teacher's life and began an educational career which, with 
few gaps, has extended over more than a quarter of a century. He taught 
with success in his native state until 1878, when, in company with other 
venturesome young men, he entered South Dakota on a prospecting tour. 
Soon he returned to Wisconsin, only to find unrest among old friends and 
surroundings. A love for South Dakota had been born in the youth's 
heart. Coming to Codington county, this state, in the early part of 
1879, he coquetted with his fair charmer until the closing days of that 
summer. After spending the following winter in Wisconsin, he finally 
severed the cords that bound him to the Badger state and returned to 
South Dakota to become one of her permanent citizens. 

	In the spring of 1880 Colonel Crane was made city superintendent 
of the Watertown schools and entered immediately upon his work. At the 
fall election of 1882 he was elected by a handsome majority to serve the 
people of Codington county as their school superintendent. Convinced 
that he had tolerated to the full a single existence, Colonel Crane went 
to Sparta, Wisconsin, in 1882 and on the 26th day of December was 
happily married to Miss Martha Crouch. When asked why his wedding day 
was not on the 25th, the Colonel, with a twinkle in his eye, invariably 
replies, "The girl said that I should pick any day after Christmas and, 
of course, I chose the 26th." Beginning January 1, 1883, he held the 
offices of county and city superintendent until the county work became 
so burdensome as to require his full time. Then he resigned his city 
position and devoted himself entirely to the work of county supervision. 
So popular and successful was he in the county superintendency that the 
people of Codington county held him in the office for ten successive 
years. 

	It is a well-known fact that the educator is not a money maker and 
that many times he must do something "on the side" so that he may lay by 
a little store for seasons of drought. Retiring from the Codington 
county superintendency, Colonel Crane spent a couple of years in money 
getting. He dabbled in land to good effect, and still possesses some 
valuable real estate as a monument to his keenness and good judgment. 
His first real-estate deal involved the purchase of a tract of railway 
land. For this he was to pay in installments, the purchase price being 
two dollars per acre. The young pedagogue was "strapped" by his first 
payment, but had faith in his proposition and proceeded to break and 
seed the tract. The resulting crop paid for the land and in the fall it 
was sold for ten dollars per acre. 

	But the business world was not destined to permanently remove 
Colonel Crane from the field of education. His abilities were recognized 
throughout the state and he was called to serve the people in the 
capacity of state superintendent. In 1895 he entered upon his new work 
and proceeded at once to dignify and exalt the office with which he had 
been honored. From the political campaign of 1896 — that campaign which 
resulted disastrously to so many Republicans — Colonel Crane came forth 
a handsome winner in his canvass for re-election. Through earnest effort 
on his part the work of the rural schools was more thoroughly 
systematized and general educational advancement was effected. 

	Early in 1899, immediately following a most successful career in 
office, the subject of this sketch was admitted to the bar and opened a 
law office at his old home in Watertown. That year he was appointed 
secretary of the Republican state central committee and assisted 
Governor Herreid, the chairman, in conducting a strenuous campaign. In 
1900 Colonel Crane was selected to serve as chairman of the state 
committee. He and his lieutenants managed that campaign so well that the 
state swung from its position in the doubtful column and became 
Republican by fourteen thousand majority. Because of his eminent ability 
as a campaign manager, Colonel Crane was called to again lead the 
Republican forces in 1902. It was with some reluctance that he assumed 
the burden, but after being importuned by every candidate of the 
Republican ticket, he finally yielded his private interests to the 
public good. A surprising victory—with a Republican majority approaching 
twenty-five thousand—crowned his efforts. In 1904 Colonel Crane was 
induced to serve a third time as chairman of the Republican state 
central committee. 

	Since March, 1901, Colonel Crane has held the responsible position 
of clerk of the supreme court, and may be found any day busied with the 
work of his office. He is a man of action—one who "does things." He is a 
true friend and genial companion. Of splendid character, he has since 
boyhood been connected with the Methodist Episcopal church, at present 
being a faithful member of the Watertown branch of that society. He is a 
South Dakotan, through and through, and hopes to live his entire life on 
our fertile plains. He is not "going back" somewhere to end his days, 
but will stick to South Dakota. As a member of Governor Herreid's staff, 
he is properly known as "Colonel" Crane,—the people's friend.