USA > New Jersey > Essex County > Montclair > History of Montclair township state of New Jersey; including the history of the families who have been identified with its growth and prosperity > Part 29
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RICHARD COLE NEWTON, M.D .- Dr. Newton was born in Roxbury, Mass., July 23, 1851. He removed with his parents to South Orange, N. J. in 1857. Ile was prepared for college by Rev. Frederick A. Adams, and was graduated from Harvard in 1874, and from the College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York City, in 1877, and spent eighteen months as an interne in the Charity Hospital, New York. He entered the U. S. Army in 1880 as Assistant Surgeon ; was post surgeon at Fort Stanton, New Mexico, for two years: at Fort Cummings, New Mexico, one year ; at Fort Sill, Indian Territory, one year, and four years at Fort Elliott, Texas. While at the latter place he was promoted to the rank of Captain. Ile came East in the fall of 1887, and was stationed at David's Island, New York harbor. The following year he came to Montelair, where he has since continued. He resigned his commission in the Army in May, 1889. He is a member of the County Medical Society; State Medical Society; Orange Mountain Medical Society ; the Society for the Relief of Medical Men of New Jersey ; the Society of the Military Surgeons of New Jersey, and various other societies and clubs.
RICHARD P. FRANCIS, M.D .- Dr. Franeis was born in New York City, March 8, 1861; removed with his parents to Montelair in 1868; was graduated at the High School in 1877; continued his studies at a private school in New York for two years; was graduated at Ilarvard in 1883, and took his medical course at Harvard Medical School. Ile spent eighteen months in Boston City Hospital and returned to his home in Montelair in IS88. He was for two years associated with Dr. Pinkham, and, on the retirement of the latter, became his successor in practice. Ile was one of the founders of the Montelair Hospital, and has been Secretary of the Medical Staff since its organization. He was one of the original members of the Montelair Protective Association. He is a member of Montelair Club, and is Health Inspector of the township.
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HISTORY OF MONTCLAIR TOWNSHIP.
LEVI W. CASE. M.D .- Born in Frenchtown. Hunterdon Co., N. J .. Jannary 28, 1850. He received his preparatory course at Hightstown. N. J., and was graduated at Lafayette College in the class of '74. He taught school at the High Street. Newark, Academy one year, and was two years a teacher in the celebrated Charlier Institute of New York. He prosecuted his medical studies during a portion of the time : entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons, graduating in 1550, and in the spring of that year began practice in Chester, Morris Co., N. J., where he remained for nine years, until 1859, when he removed to Montelair. He is a member of the County Medieal Society : Morris County Medical Society. and the Microscopical Society. He is examining physician for the Ancient Order of United Workmen, also for the Knights of Honor.
HERBERT WEST FOSTER .- Born in Putnam, Conn. Prepared for college at the Putnam High School, but did not enter. Was graduated at the New York Homeopathie Medical College, in the spring of 1991 : served on the house staff at Ward's Island Hospital. Department of Public Charities and Corrections, from May, 1591, to May. 1592: was then Resident Physician of the Hahnemann Hospital, New York, from May, 1892. to May, 1593, when he began practice in Montelair, with the endorsement of some of the most eminent physicians of the " new school."
The following is a brief outline of his ancestry : Timothy Foster, of Walpole. Mass .. bought land and settled in Dudley in Fits. The following is on the gravestone of his youngest son. Joseph, who lived at Windham. Con. : " He enlisted in the Army of the Revolution at 13 years of age and was one of 15 brothers who together with their father, served in the war in the aggregate over 60 years." Timothy Foster's eldest son. Ebenezer, had a son. Poleg, who was the doctor's great-grandfather.
On his mother's side. Moses Wild settled in western Massachusetts in 1638. He married, and, after several generations, Miriam Wild married Earl Westgate, of Portsmouth, R. I. who was the doctor's great-grandfather.
Among other other family names are West. Davis, Harris, Shepardson, Colton and Fuller.
1. W. HALSEY. M.D ..- Born in Binghamton, N. Y., entered Oberlin College in 1879: was graduated at the College of Physicians in 1953, serving a portion of the time in the hospital : began practice in his native town in 1 >>3. >neceeding his maternal grandfather, who for fifty years was a resident physician in that place. In 1592 he sold his practice and came to Montelair.
Hlis paternal grandfather was a prominent lawyer of Binghamton, was twenty years Surrogate of Suffolk County. N. Y .. and was for two years State Senator, fifteen years Presiding Judge, and one term Surveyor-General of the State.
HISTORY OF THE CRANE FAMILY.
The family of Crane is quite ancient and honorable. Ralph Drake accompanied Sir Francis Drake to America in 1377. and Robert Crane was of the first company that came to Massachusetts Bay in 1630. Sir Robert Crane was of Essex County, England, in 1630; and Sir Richard, in 1613, was of Wood Rising, Norfolk, England.
FIRST GENERATION.
JASPER CHANE (1) and Alice, his wife, came from London in 1637 or '3>, to the New Haven Colony. Ile was one of the original settlers of the New Haven Colony and signed the first and " Funda- mental Agreement." June 4, 1639. at a general meeting of all the free planters at New Haven, at the barn of Mr. Newman. Tradition says that he had the stewardship and oversight of the property of the Rev. John Davenport. Jasper Crane. Sr., was one of those at New Haven who attempted the settlement of the lands on the Delaware and was repulsed by the Dutch natives, Swedes and Fins.
Hle was a surveyor and trader, and with Mr. Myles laid out much of the town plot at New Haven, and located grants, settled division lines and disputed titles. He was a selectman, and one of the civil
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HISTORY OF MONTCLAIR TOWNSHIP.
managers of the new settlement (New Haven). In March, 1641, he had a grant of 100 acres in the east meadow. In 1643 he was in the list of estates at New Haven at $480. In 1644 he was freed from " watching and trayning" because of his weakness. In 1644-5 he had a second grant of 16 acres of np- land in East Haven, where he built his house in which Jasper, Jr., was born. Soon after this, not being satisfied with his location as a merchant. he sold his place in 1652 and purchased in Totoket (afterward called Branford), and removed thence with his family, where he, with Mr. William Swayne and some 20 others from Southampton, L. I., with Rev. Abraham Pierson as their leader, founded the new town of Branford. Jasper Crane, Esq., and Mr. William Swayne were the first deputies to the " General Court of Electors" from Branford. May, 1653, and four years after, in May, 1658, he was chosen magis- trate of the New Haven Colony, which be held until 1663. On the union of the two Colonies he was chosen an assistant (Senator) to the General Court at Hartford. He was Justice of the County Court at New Haven in 1664-5, one of the magistrates convened at Hartford by the Governor in 1665, and one of the assistants and magistrates of Connecticut in 1665-6-7, and magistrate in the New Haven Colony in 1658.
Jasper Crane did not remove with the first company that went to settle (Milford first called) Newark, N. J., though he was one of the 23 persons who signed the first contract in 1665. On January 20, 1667. a new church covenant was formed for those who left Branford, and Mr. Crane headed the list of signers and church members under the new organization, with others, who signed the agreement in 1665, and after disposing by deed of his property at Branford in 1667-8 he joined his associates at Newark.
He, with Robert Treat (afterward Governor of Conn.), were the first magistrates in Newark. In 1668-9 they represented Newark in the General Court the same year, and were again chosen deputies in 1669-70.
In 1675 he was deputy and magistrate at Newark. Ile was one of the purchasers of the Kings- land farm, a large tract of land located at what is now Bellville. He was ranked with the strong minded men of Connecticut and New Jersey, lived to an advanced age, and died in 1681. His sons, John and Deliver- ance, had seats in the first meeting house in Newark. Children: John Crane: Hannah, who married Thomas Huntington, one of the signers of the " Branford Agreement": Deliverance, or Delivered, born July 12, 1642, died without issue; Azariah, born 1647, died November 5, 1730, aged 83 years; he mar- ried Mary, daughter of Robert Treat, Governor of Connecticut.
When Mr. Treat left New Jersey for Connectient he "betrusted his property at Newark to his son, Deacon Azariah Crane, who lived in the stone house at Newark, and was a man of integrity and standing."
" Deacon " Azariah had issne: Nathaniel, Azariah, Jr., John, Robert. Mary Baldwin and Jane Bull.
Jasper, Jr., born at East Haven, April 2, 1657, removed with his father to Newark. Ile pur- chased the estate of Robert Lyman in Newark in 1682. after Mr. Lyman returned to New England. Jasper died March 18, 1712, aged 61 years.
SECOND GENERATION.
" DEACON" AZARIAH CRANE, third child of Jasper (1) and Alice Crane, was born, 1647, probably at Branford, then a part of the New Haven Colony. IIe died, Nov. 5, 1730, aged 83. Ile was one of the signers of the " Fundamental Agreement," a deacon in the First Church of Newark, and held many offices of trust in the "Towne." Ile left his "silver bole" to be used by "the church in Newark forever." He married Mary, daughter of Robert Treat, one of the original settlers of Newark, and afterward Governor of the Connecticut Colony. "In the overturn of the government by the Dutch," in 1673, he " was betrusted with the concerns of his honorable father-in-law, Mr. Robert Treat." In 1715, he is spoken of by himself as having been " settled" for many years at the mountain. He had two sons, Nathaniel and Azariah, both born or lived in Cranetown " by the spring." (This, according to the statement of Joseph Dorens, was what is now known as the Frost property on the north-east corner of Myrtle Avenue and Orange Road.) He had also John. Robert, Mary Baldwin and Jane Bull.
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IHISTORY OF MONTCLAIR TOWNSHIP.
THIRD GENERATION.
Nathaniel and Azariah Crane, Jr., sons of " Deacon" Azariah and Mary (Treat) Crane, founders of the Crane family of Cranetown.
NATHANIEL CRANE AND HIS DESCENDANTS.
NATHANIEL (1). eldest son of " Deacon " Azariah and Mary (Treat) Crane, was born in the town of Newark, and was one of the founders of Cranetown. He married and had issue. William, Noah and Nathaniel (2).
FOURTH GENERATION .- LINE OF NATHANIEL.
WILLIAM (1) CRANE, eldest son of Nathaniel (1) ( Deaeon Azariah, Jasper) was born in Cranetown. During the war of the Revolution. he was Lieutenant in Spencer's Regiment, Continental Army : Captain, ditto. March, 1777. He married and had issue : Matthias. James. Isaac, Jonathan, Jonas, William (2), Zadoc. Oliver.
NOAH CRANE, Second Son of Nathaniel (1). (Deacon Azariah, Jasper) was born in Cranetown, May 1, 1719. He married Mary and had issue : Sammel, born Oct. 29, 1746 ; Esther, born Feb. 12. 1749 ; Joseph, born Feb. 1. 1751. died November, 1-32. married Hannah, daughter of Daniel Lamson ; Elizabeth, born April 13. 1758; Caleb, born Jan. 1. 1702, died Sept. 1. 1765 : " Major " Nathaniel (2), born Oct. 29. 1737: Mehitable, born IInne 17. 1764, married Gen. William Gould of Caldwell, an officer of the Revolution : Mary, born 1766, died Sept. 9, 176>: Nehemiah, bom July 1. 1771. died Sept. 27. 1777.
FIFTH GENERATION .- LINE OF NATHANIEL.
MATTHIAS CRANE, eldest son of William (1) Nathaniel. Deacon Azariah, Jasper), was born in ('ranetown. Ile married Elizabeth, daughter of Job Crane, and had issue: Israel.
OLIVER CRANE, youngest son of William ( Nathaniel, Deacon Azariah, Jasper), was born in Crane- town. lle married Susannah Baldwin. a descendant in the fifth generation of John Baldwin, Sr .. one of the original settlers of Newark. They had issue : Stephen Fordham, Lydia Sarah, Amos, Zophar, Nathaniel M., Isaac W .. and Rachel, who married Amos Baldwin.
SAMUEL CRANE, eldest son of Youk ( Nathaniel. Deacon Azariah, Jasper) and Mary Crane, was born at Cranetown, October 9, 1746.
Dr. Wiekes, in his " History of the Oranges." makes several quotations from Jemima Cumdiet's diary of Revolutionary events. One of these contains the following in reference to Samuel C'rane.
" September ye 12, 1777. on Friday there Was an alarm, our Militia was Called. The Regulars Came over into elesabeth town Where they had a Brush With a Small Party of our People ; then marched Quietly up to Newark & took all the Cattle they Could, there was five of the militia [of] Newark. they killed Samuel Crane & took Zadock and Allen heady and Samuel freeman Prisoners, one out of five run and escapt."
Samuel Crane married and had issue : Caleb. Zenas, Cyrus, and Nathaniel (3).
NATHANIEL, known as " Major" Nathaniel Crane, fifth child of Nouh (Nathaniel, Deacon Azariah, Jasper) and Mary Crane, was born at Cranetown. February 15, 1762. He married Hannah, daughter of William Crane (son of Nathaniel), and died without issue. He served with the New Jersey Militia in the War of the Revolution, in Capt. Marsh's Troop of Light Horse. Ile was a man highly respected in the community, and was for many years a leader of the choir in the First Presbyterian Church of Orange, and was tendered the thanks of that parish for his valuable services on several occasions at their annual meeting. Ile gave to the Presbyterian Church of Bloomfield their bell, and in his last will he gave the most of his estate-about $10,000-to the use of the Bloomfield Church, with the proviso, that when a Presbyterian Church should be organized in West Bloomfield, the income of the property was to go to the new elunch.
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HISTORY OF MONTCLAIR TOWNSHIP.
SIXTH GENERATION .- LINE OF NATHANIEL.
ISRAEL CRANE, only son of Matthias (1) (William, Nathaniel (1), Deacon Azariah, Jasper) was born in Cranetown. March 15, 1774. He inherited from his ancestors those sterling qualities which made him a "man among men." He was known as " King" Crane, and well deserved the name for he was a born ruler and leader of men; he was the Vanderbilt of his time, and had he lived at a later period would have been a " railroad king." In early life he entered Princeton College, intending to study for the ministry. but was compelled to give up his studies in consequence of failing health. He then entered upon an active business eareer in which he met with almost unprecedented success in every undertaking. He was a prince among country merchants, and did the most extensive business of any man or firm for miles around. Ile opened and developed an immense in Newark, one of the country. employing at hundred men. Hle pro- Pompton Turnpike tent of country, thereby farm property, and af- ter facilities for transport- ket. Associated with him New York capitalists. company and subsequent- ests, and became sole lle was one of the first water power of the Pas- and erected there the controlled the water and ereeted the first cot- which he afterward sold management of his exten- displayed wonderful sa- tive ability. At the same ment to and promoted gave promise of success. this region of country since. He was honorable dealings, and a man of In an historical sketch of rian Church, prepared by 1854, reference is made was early chosen a ruling brown-stone quarry largest in this part of the times from three to four jected the Newark and which opened a large ex- enhancing the value of fording the farmers bet- ing their produce to mar- in this enterprise were Ile was president of the ly acquired their inter- owner of the property. to utilize the immense saie Falls, near Paterson, second cotton mill. He power on Tony's Brook, ton mills on the stream. to the Wildes. In the sive business interests he gacity, and great execu- time he gave encourage- every new enterprise that Ile did more to develop than any man before or and upright in all his large-hearted liberality. the Bloomfield Presbyte- Rev. Stephen Dodd, in to " Israel Crane, who ISKAEL CRANE. Elder, and still retains the office, and who bore a prominent part in the erection of the house, and to whose prudent and enlightened counsels, and acknowledged ability and enterprise, the church and parish will ever feel their indebtedness, and who, in a green old age, is permitted to rejoice in your prosperity."
Mr. Crane at that time was one of the two only remaining members out of fifty-nine from the First Church in Orange, and twenty-three from the First Church in Newark, who, in the month of June, 1798, withdrew from the above named churches and organized the church at Bloomfield. When, in 1837, it was proposed to start a church in the " Upper Village," or West Bloomfield, he entered heartily into the work, and gave liberally toward the new enterprise, his own children becoming faithful and consistent members of the First Presbyterian Church of West Bloomfield.
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HISTORY OF MONTCLAIR TOWNSHIP.
Mr. Crane married Fanny, daughter of Dr. Matthias Pierson, of Orange, the first resident physician at the Newark Mountains, a great-grandson of Thomas Pierson, one of the Associates from Branford, of the New Haven Colony, who settled in Newark in 1666. It is said he was a near kinsman, and probably a brother of Rev. Abraham Pierson, who came with the colony as its minister.
The issue of Israel and Fanny (Pierson) Crane was Mary Stockton, died young ; Matthias, Eliza- wife of Captain Ephraim Beach, the civil engineer, who laid ont the Morris Canal about 1825-Abigail, wife of Dr. Isaae Dodd: Mary and James.
STEPHEN FORDHAM CRANE, eldest son of Oliver (William, Nathaniel ( 1). Deacon Azariah, Jasper). and Susannah (Baldwin) Crane, was born in Cranetown 1792. He married Matilda Howell Smith, daughter of Peter Smith, who was Washington's private secretary in the winter of 1779-50, and was pro- posed by Washington for membership in the American Union Lodge, F. & A. M., where he was " duly initiated, passed and raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason," General ( Bro.) Washington assisting in the ceremony. His name appears on the list of members of American I'nion Lodge at an " Entered Apprentices' Lodge.' held at Morristown, N. J .. December 27, 1779. for the celebration of the Festival
HOMESTEAD OF ISRAEL CRANF. ON GLEN RIDGE AVENUE.
of St. John the Evangelist. Among those present on that occasion were Bros. Washington, Arnold (Benedict), Samuel Holden Parsons. Van Rensselaer, and other distinguished officers of the Continental Army.
After the war Peter Smith was a magistrate, and later County Clerk of Sussex County.
Stephen Fordham Crane had issue: Emeline 11 .. Susan P .. Oliver, Sarah U., Stephen Smith and Crane.
SEVENTH GENERATION-LINE OF NATHANIEL (1).
REV. OLIVER CRANE, D. D .. LL. D., elergyman. Oriental scholar, and poet, son of Stephen Fordham (Oliver, William, Nathaniel. Deacon Azariah, Jasper, and Matilda Howell (Smith) Crane, was born in West Bloomfield, now Montelair. N. .... July 12, 1-22.
His early education began in his native town with Gideon Wheeler as his instructor. in the school-house afterward used by the First Presbyterian Church. By dint of energy and perseverance he prepared for college and entered Yale University as Sophomore, and graduated thence with honors in
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HISTORY OF MONTCLAIR TOWNSHIP.
the class of 1845, and from Union Theological Seminary in 1848. He was ordained in April of the same year, and soon after appointed a missionary of the American Board of Commissioners of Foreign Missions to Turkey. He acquired the Turkish language and did efficient service during the next five years at Broosa, Aleppo. Aintab and Trebizond. Ile returned to America the following year and became pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Huron, N. Y .. and, in 1857, of that in Waverly, N. Y. Being reappointed missionary in the spring of 1860, he went back to Turkey and was assigned to Adrianople, but, in 1863, circumstances necessitated his return to his native land. The next year he was elected Professor of Biblical and Oriental Literature in Rutgers Female College. New York City, but declined, to accept Presbyterian bondale, Pa .. stalled as pastor. 1870 he resigned. vear settled in where he devoted literary work. things aiding Gen. ton (his college preparation of the Revolution." a standard work. 1865-66. he had his presbytery to for the use of its 1869 he had been of the large Synod New Jersey. In chosen Secretary in which capacity hanstive biograph- every member, a pioneer in this line 1888 he published line-by-line ver- Eneid, the result labor, which was ed. In 1889 he ume of poems um- ยท Minto and other he was elected a REV. OLIVER S. CRANE, D.D. of the American Oriental Society, of which he is now one of the senior members. several historical societies, and for four years past has been, by appointment of the Governor, a member of the Board of Examiners of the Scientific College of New Jersey. The degree of A.M .. was conferred upon him by his Alma Mater : M.D., by the Eclectie Medical College of New York City, in 1866: D.D., by the University of Wooster, O., in 1880, and LL. D., by the Westminster College. Fulton. Mo .. in 1888, the last being mainly in recognition of the scholarship evineed in his version of Virgil's JEneid. His life has been an active one, including, as it does, extensive traveling in Turkey, Europe, Egypt and Palestine, assidous investigating and versatile writing. He now resides in Boston in comparative retire- ment, still occupying his time in literary pursuits.
a call from the Church of Car- where he was in- In the spring of and the following Morristown, N.J., himself largely to among other Henry B. Carring- classmate) in the " The Battles of which has become Previously, in bee :. ppointed by prepare a manual churches, and in elected moderator of New York and 1880 he was of his college elass, he prepared an ex- ical record of book which was a of publication. In a hexametrieal sion of Virgil's of mich critical favorably receiv- issued a small vol- der the title of Poems." In 1856 corporate member Ile is a member of
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HISTORY OF MONTCLAIR TOWNSIttP.
Dr. Oliver Crane married. September 5. 1>45. Marion D. Turnbull, and had by her five children : Louina M .. died young : Elizabeth M. (wife of Rev. John S. Gardner) : Caroline H. (wife of Edward (. Lyon, Esq.): Oliver T. (married Gertrude N. Boyd) ; and Louina Mary (wife of Harry C. Crane). Mrs. Crane July 23. 1890. Dr. Crane married. September 1. 1891. Sibyla A. Bailey, of Boston, Mass., where they both now reside. Dr. Crane did much in starting improvements in Montelair, laying out and making, mainly at his own expen-e. Clermont AAvenue from Valley Road to Forest Street, and also Forest Street from Clermont Avenue to Walnut Street, and so opened up for settlement that part of the town. Hle was one of the corporate members of the First Presbyterian Church in the town, and took an active part in all its interests.
Vol. V., No. 1 of the " Magazine of Poetry " contains a sketch and a few selections of the poems of Mr. Crane. The genius of the poet and the beauty of expression is shown in the two stanzes of one entitled :
THE GLEANER. " Where has thou gleaned to-day !"-Ruth xi., 19.
O gleaner, who homeward as if in retreat Art wearily plodding thy way, Thou hast patiently wrought in the dust and the heat But why bringest thou with thee no bundle of wheat ? Oh. where hast thou gleaned to-day ?
" I have gleaned in the field where the Master assigned, And have stayed where He bade me stay ; Where the owner and reapers alike were kind. And permitted me many a sheaf to find. I have gleaned as a reaper to-day."
MATTIAS (2) CRANE, Son of Israel ( Matthias. William. Nathaniel (1). Deacon Azariah, Jasper) and Fanny (Pierson) Crane was born at Cranetown. May 2. 1502. Ile married Susan, daughter of dep- tha Baldwin (born 177 ). son of Benjamin ( Benjamin, Joseph, John Baldwin, Sr. one of the original settlers, who signed the " Fundamental AAgreement "). Matthias Crane was a farmer, and resided at the homestead on Bloomfield Avenue. He had issue. Edward Bishop. Israel, Catharine Baldwin, Mary Clarissa, Abba F., Francis, and Henry Lind-ley, unmarried, and resides at the homestead on Bloomfield Avenue, Montelair.
Catharine Baldwin was married to Robert M. Boyd of Montelair. Mary C. married Samuel Friedly, and resides in Richmond, Va. Abba F. married Mr. Dodd, and resides at Bloomtiekl.
EDWARD BISHOP CRANE, ellest child of Matthias (2) (Israel. Matthias (1), William, Nathaniel ( 1). "Deacon" Azariah, Jasper) and Susan ( Baldwin) Crane, was born in West Bloomfield, now Montelair. He married Ellen F., daughter of Samnel Baldwin, of Bloomfield. They had issue : Frank W., Nellie F., married Dr. Soper (now of Upper Montclair), Samuel B., and Edna G.
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