Biography of Horace H. Crane

Horace H. Crane, born in 1836 in Ohio, became a notable pioneer after settling in Montgomery County, Kansas, in 1868. He secured land from the Osage chief, Nopawalla, fostering a community for families. A Civil War veteran, Crane served in the 3rd Wisconsin Cavalry before returning to farming and mineral exploration. He married Elizabeth High, with whom he had four children. Active in local education and community affairs, he is a member of several fraternal organizations, reflecting his commitment to both social values and community well-being.

HORACE H. CRANE—The names of some of the pioneers of the West are preserved in the names of towns and cities in the localities where they settled. This is true with the name which is here presented, it having taken its name from the gentleman who is herewith reviewed, and who, in 1868, first settled on the tract which now furnishes the site for the railway station of that name. Mr. Crane purchased the protection and right of settlement from the noted Osage Indian chief, Nopawalla, for the sum of one hundred dollars. This was to guarantee protection for ten families, which Mr. Crane wished to settle in that vicinity. It is worthy of note that while no paper was signed between the parties, the chief carried out his part of the agreement without a breach. There were at that time some four hundred Indians in that immediate vicinity, and some of them remained until the government removed them by force.

Horace H. Crane was born on the 15th of November, 1836, in Shalersville, Ohio, the son of William B. Crane, who was the son of Belden Crane, a native of Connecticut. Belden Crane reared seven children, Jerusha Chamberlain, Orville, Laura Tilden, William, Frederick, Asenath and Orlando. William B. Crane was born in Shalersville, Ohio, in 1803. He married Sallie Ann Olney, who was a sister of Jesse Olney, the author of the Olney Geography. To this union were born Asenath Fitch, now residing in Oklahoma; Calista Ryan, deceased; William W., who resides with Horace; Helen Cavert, deceased; Horace H., the subject of this review, and Oscar, deceased.

Horace H. Crane resided in the place of his birth until the age of nine, when he accompanied his parents to Appleton, Wisconsin, where he was living at the time of the Civil War. In 1862 he answered the call of his country and enlisted in Co. “I,” 3rd Wis. Vol. Cav., under Col. Barratow, General Blunt’s division of the Army of the West. In this regiment he saw some active service, participating in the battles of Cane Hill and Pea Ridge, and in numerous skirmishes. Much of his service was in the escorting of government trains through Missouri and Arkansas. He was mustered out at Fort Scott, in August, 1863.

Before returning home from the army he purchased, in the vicinity of Fort Scott, a car load of horses, and took them through to Wisconsin, and disposed of them at his old home. After a short visit he returned to Kansas and settled on a farm near Leroy, Coffey county, from which place he came to Montgomery county in 1868, as stated.

While living in Coffey county, Mr. Crane met and married Elizabeth, daughter of Charles and Elizabeth (Hunter) High, these parents being natives of the Keystone and Blue Grass states, respectively. Mrs. Crane was born in Warren county, Indiana, March 27th, 1842, where she lived until she was eighteen years of age, when she accompanied her parents to Coffey county, Kansas. To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Crane four children have been born, viz: Charles O., of Bristol, I. T., who is married to Minnie St. John and has three children, Fred, Bessie and Paul; Frankie resides at home; Horace O. and Frederick H. reside at Elgin, Kansas. The quarter of land which Mr. Crane selected and filed on was in section 5-32-15. To this body he has added until he now owns 330 acres. Since the discovery of oil and gas he has been very active in drilling on his land and has met with much success.

During the residence of Mr. Crane in Sycamore township, he has evinced a lively interest in the educational and religious welfare of the community and has served in the various unpaid offices of the school district and township. He is a firm believer in fraternal principles and is a member of several of the most worthy fraternities. He is a Knight Templar Mason and a Shriner, is also a member of the Elks, the Woodmen of the World, and of McPherson Post, Grand Army of the Republic.