Crane, A. F.

CAPT. A. F. CRANE, Inspector of Erie City water works, was born in this county, the 18th of June, 1835, son of Elihu and Nancy (Carlin) Crane, former a native of Mass, of Scotch descent; latter, a native of Penn., of Irish extraction. Elihu Crane, a farmer, came to Erie Co. in 1798; enlisted in the war of 1812; he was parent of seven children; his father, Elihu Crane, served all through the Revolutionary war, and was wounded while Sergeant under Gen. Washington. Our subject, fourth in the family, was educated in the common schools of Erie City. In 1855, he was appointed to superintend the building of the Pittsburgh & Erie R.R.; was married, Jan. 8, 1859, to Laura E. Stearns, daughter of Sidney Stearns, of Fredonia, Chautauqua Co., N.Y. In 1859, was made Supt. for O. O. Ticknor & Co., lumber dealers in Conneautville, Crawford Co., till 1862. He enlisted the 20th of Aug., 1862, at Conneautville, Co. H, 145th P.V.I.; was engaged in the battle of Antietam and other engagements; was wounded on the 20th of Oct., 1862, in right limb at Harper?s Ferry, while on picket duty; again wounded on Dec. 12, 1862, in the charge on Nary?s Heights, Fredericksburg, and lost his left limb. It was amputated in the field hospital Feb. 16, 1863, and again amputated at Campbell Hospital, D.C.; was discharged from there Feb. 16, 1863; engaged in boating for own account in 1863 and 1864; the spring of 1865 was employed as Supt. of Rawl Richards & Co. line of canal boats for shipping coal and iron. Resided at Sharon, Mercer Co.; was delegate to Republican Co. Convention at Mercer, Penn., in 1866. In 1867, was appointed Supt. of Conneautville and Lockport Divisions of Erie Extension Canal; was a resident of Springboro; remained there till close of canal; 1871, was elected Burgess of Springboro, Crawford Co.; twice chosen delegate to Crawford Co. Convention. In the year 1872, was candidate for Sheriff of Crawford Co. on Republican ticket; was beaten by Orlando Reed by forty-four votes. In 1872, moved to Erie; was foreman of construction of Erie Rolling Mills. The spring of 1873 was appointed Supt. of Rawl Nobles blast furnace at Erie. In 1875, was Inspector of Customs at port of Erie. In 1877, was made inspector of Erie City Water Department, the position he now holds. His wife, Laura E., died Nov. to, 1880, leaving four children, three sons and one daughter? Gertrude M., wife of L.L. Bruder; Andrew F., Reed and Charles. Capt. Crane is an active Republican.