USA > West Virginia > Preston County > A History of Preston County, West Virginia, V. 2 > Part 9
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Orlando C. Crane did succeed, although cut down at the age of 36 years. Somehow, since time immemorial, people like to enumerate the achievements of ambitious men. State and nation extol their leaders. Countries applaud the victorious generals. America, especially, is proud of her successful sons. Yet, alas, human nature is prone to grant grudgingly the full measure of credit and praise to the living. Now that death has taken young Crane from among us, we are astonished at the interesting and almost wonderful events of his short and stir- ring life.
But he was not unappreciated. Terra Alta, his home town, looked to him and leaned upon him. Men twice his age counseled with him, and his advice was given freely, fully and carefully. His community is bowed with grief, and no greater tribute could be paid him than the universal sorrow which has come to his own people who lived with him day by day.
He was the second child of J. Elliott Crane and Elizabeth Engle Crane, and was born at the old Crane farm near Muddy Creek Furnace, Preston county. His parents are of good Preston county stock, and his childhood days were those of the average farm boy, the home being a comfortable one, without luxuries but surrounded by plenty. It was a Godly home, it was a home where good, wholesome literature abounded, and a home where the parents instilled into the minds of their children the ambition to achieve something.
Think of this young man, at the age of 15, teaching school. He at- tended the county and summer normal schools when most youngsters were in the intermediate grade, and securing a No. 2 certificate taught the Clifton Mills school at the age mentioned. But pedagogy was not
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ORLANDO C. CRANE.
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOY TILDEN FOUNDATION
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to be his lifework. Orlando Crane's entire temperament was contrary to the profession of teaching, for the limitations were too narrow. He taught well, was in demand as a teacher, and he saved his money. But, unknown to his family, he had other ambitions, and on February 1, 1894, accepted the position of bookkeeper in the Terra Alta Bank, being 20 years of age. He was cashier of this solid banking institution when he died, having been first chosen assistant cashier October 5, 1897, and cashier but a few weeks later. These promotions same rapidly, and upon their full merit, from bookkeeper to cashier in three years, and at the head of the same institution for 13 years. He devoted his time, attention, thought and enthusiasm to the bank from the time he became its bookkeeper until his death. He knew banking as few young men do. He studied the question, read about modern methods, made the acquaintance of bankers in the state and in the larger cities, and the prosperity of the institution is due in a large measure to his tireless energy, his acumen, and his affability in making and holding friends, without sacrificing the strict rules of banking.
One might wonder why a young man of such ability and promise was content to remain in a small town, when the world holds out such splendid inducements for progressive men. The answer to this is the keynote of his life. He was offered, time and again, splendid positions abroad, with banks, trust companies, with the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company and other corporations. His home town was his special delight. His patriotism for Terra Alta surpasses anything in his life ex- cept his love of his home and his family. One can readily see that the ordinary salary of a country banker, and the limitations of the plodder, were not to suffice for young Crane, who taught school at 15 and became cashier of a bank at 23.
Orlando C. Crane was ambitious to make money, and he did. Saving his salary, investing it carefully until he had a fair capital to go on, he began speculating in coal, timber and real estate. He was so shrewd and successful that older men of means asked to join him. Mind you, he did not neglect his bank work. That was his first ambition, and he never lost interest in it. He employed and paid out of his own pocket, an assistant, so that during his absence his institution was treated fairly. He climbed rapidly after that, and at the time of his death was a rich man, perhaps as rich as any man of 60 years in the county.
On September 9, 1895, Mr. Crane married Miss Mollie C. Joyce, of his home town, who for two years before and two afterward was a most competent clerk in his bank. They were married in Grafton, by
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Rev. A. S. Baumgardner, a relative of his. Her parents were Edward and Ellen Joyce, the latter now living. She made her home with Mr. and Mrs. Crane, and was particularly fond of her son-in-law, who by his courtesy, affection and good disposition became like a son to her. No one, perhaps, more sincerely mourns his death than Mrs. Joyce. His parents are also living in Terra Alta, the father, aged, being too feeble to attend the funeral. Their natural pride in this son has been a joy and blessing in their advancing years, and his untimely death a blow from which they are not likely to recover.
To the widow who survives him, Mr. Crane always attributed a large share of his success. She was a trained business woman, and her advice and counsel were a great aid to him. Having established a home, Mr. Crane erected his altar there. He began humbly, but of his earnings and profits a certain generous share was spent to enlarge his house and grounds, to beautify within and without. No close friend could help but admire the enthusiasm he had for his home, and which he displayed to his intimates. Temperate in his habits, if he had any dissipation it took the form of lavishly providing for his family, for his house and grounds, yet always in good taste and always within his resources. He was most hospitable, and a guest never left his home without feeling that he would enjoy a return visit. His pride in these things was almost boyishly enthusiastic, and, of course, highly com- mendable. He would travel all night to get back to Terra Alta and home, finding his own rooftree more enjoyable than the most luxurious of hotels.
There are three children : Maxine, Ocelia Elizabeth and Charles Ed- ward. How he did love these children and how he doted upon them. Yet with all this love and all his means, he had mapped out a life of usefulness for them, as well as plans for education, when they grew older. The older children had some daily task to perform about the house. He knew work, and he did not intend to spoil his children, although able to provide them with luxuries which he never knew in his childhood. Thus we have a very fair illustration of the practical . turn of the man in this attitude toward his children.
Two brothers and a sister also survive this young man-namely, W. Reed Crane, a prominent druggist of Fairmont; Clyde F. Crane, book- keeper for the Miller-Clark Grain Co., Fairmont, and Ada Ellen Welch, wife of Frank D. Welch of Terra Alta. The brothers, one older and one younger, always sought the advice of Orlando in business ventures,
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and deeply mourn his death, for there has always been a deep family affection among them.
Church affiliations and lodge memberships go with the biography of a man, although counting for little compared to the actual deeds in life. As a matter of record, Orlando C. Crane was a member of the Evangelical church, and a trustee of the Terra Alta M. E. church. His townsmen say that he was a regular contributor to every church in Terra Alta, and that counts for so much more, because his contribu- tions were voluntary, of the heart, and an evidence of broad liberality of view, not bound or limited by any isms or orthodoxy. He was a good Mason, having taken 32 degrees, thus belonging to not only the Blue Lodge but all the higher degrees up to the 33rd. His Masonry squared every act of his life. He was also an honored member of the Modern Woodmen, Woodmen of the World and Knights of Pythias orders.
Mr. Crane was director of his bank, of the Terra Alta Woolen Mills, and the Englehart Woolen Mills, and held positions on the town council, local board of trade, and was otherwise recognized and honored at home.
But what count these things? The cold history of a man's career and his material success weigh lightly against deeds. Perhaps no young man in this county ever climbed more rapidly. He was envied by many, understood by but few. Yet, as one person with one mind, speak his townsmen of all sects, creeds and parties, and their testimony is that Orlando C. Crane was an unselfish man, charitable, ambitious for his town, a leader among men in all good movements, and this is a volume of praise out of many hearts.
Each man has some absorbing passion-some for evil, some for good. This passion dominates the life. Aside from the thought for family and friends, even aside from the consideration of making a live- lihood, one impulse is almost sure to be uppermost. Orlando Crane's passion was for his home town. He took the lead for civic improve- ments, every time. Men followed him, too, and while he had no ambi- tion to be a leader, and no ambition for public honors, he stepped to the front when necessary and battled valiantly until success or failure followed-and it was almost always success. He wanted Terra Alta to be a model town-a town with modern improvements, and he believed in the present age and people doing things, and the future age, which would also enjoy such benefits, to help pay the cost. O. C. Crane wanted his town to be made the county seat purely because he sought every advantage for his town that could be obtained. Exposure, over-
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work and the unseen approach of a death-dealing disease, were results of this ambition and endeavor, and he was honest about every move he made in that direction. He was agreeable, while fighting for this thing, and held no malice whatever.
He was of unusually modest mien, rather retiring, and to fight caused him more of an effort than most people supposed. He preferred a quiet life and his home, but for that absorbing passion of his to be doing something for the town. He had few intimates, but those loved him dearly. They believed in him, as he believed in his cause and believed in his town, and they would die for Crane, such was the affection and faith of his few intimate friends. But the whole community, while at times criticising him, usually came over to his side and allied them- selves under his banner-"the best things for the best town in the best county in the best state of the best country," was his one civic motto.
This young man would have been excusable had he been vain, con- sidering what he had made of himself through his own efforts. But he was not vain, although commendably proud. If he indulged in one little vanity, aside from his pride of home, it was of his wide acquaint- ance with prominent men. Few ever saw this side of him, and he rarely indulged in it even to his closest friends. Orlando Crane had the friend- ship and confidence of more big men in the world of finance and in- dustrial enterprises than any other man in the county, perhaps in the state. Think of this country boy, with limited schooling, having the ear and approval of scores of men of big finance the country over-and then you may conceive why he was proud of the fact-proud but never boastful. Had he lived and kept his health he would have been a mil- lionaire, and he would never have forgotten Terra Alta and Preston county. He was a factor in the county-a real force for good, and there is no one now ready to take his place. What he might have done for this part of the county will never be known. He was taken in the very infancy of his career.
The largest concourse of persons ever attending the funeral of a young man in this county thronged the M. E. Church in Terra Alta, Monday, November 14, to pay a tribute to Orlando C. Crane. From II o'clock until 1:30 the body lay in state at the church, and men, women and children wept at his bier. The Master of Terra Alta Blue Lodge and a Knight Templar stood by the casket as the hundreds passed in and out-silent sentinels to attest to his right living and to guard a beloved brother while he slept. There has never been such a profusion of floral offerings seen in this county as the beautiful emblems
MR. AND MRS. GUSTAVUS J. CRESAP.
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
RETOR, LEIDDY VILDAN BOARD TAINS
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PRESTON COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA
sent by sorrowing friends to this funeral. Besides numerous private remembrances there were huge set pieces from Terra Alta Lodge M. W. A .; Osiris Temple, of Wheeling; A. F. and A. M. of Terra Alta ; Wood- men of the World, Terra Alta; Mrs. W. H. Casteel, Washington; Mr. and Mrs. Clyde S. Holt, Fairmont; Mr. and Mrs. C. M. Crane, the Terra Alta Bank; Joseph A. Pugh and W. A. Beavers, Grafton; J. W. Whittaker, Mr. and Mrs. Roy Arthur Lough, Morgantown, and Mr. and Mrs. N. S. Clary.
At 1:30 the funeral services began. Rev. S. P. Crummett, pastor of the M. E. Church, was master of ceremonies, and spoke feelingly of the deceased, having but a short personal acquaintance with him. Rev. Bone, of the Terra Alta Presbyterian Church, paid a tribute to Mr. Crane, showing his lack of bigotry and his helpfulness to all denomina- tions and all causes. Rev. Harry C. Howard, of First M. E. Church, Fairmont, delivered a touching address, referring to his personal friend- ship for the dead man and beautifully exemplifying the the traits of Mr. Crane. Hon. S. B. Montgomery of Tunnelton delivered a short but eloquent address in behalf of the laity, bringing tears to the eyes of the multitude as he touched the chords of their hearts, speaking of the career of the young man, his friend, whose body lay before him. It was one of the best funeral orations ever listened to in this county.
The pall-bearers were: Charles Kelly, Frank Brenneman, John White, C. A. Miller, William M. Bishop and Frank W. Gandy, all near and dear friends and business associates of O. C. Crane. A select choir led by Mrs. A. J. Elliott furnished the music, the hymns all being favorite selections. Mrs. Elliott sang a Scottish song, "My Ain Countrie," in her usual impressive manner.
CRESAP FAMILY.
Gustavus Jacob Cresap, a resident of Kingwood, and after the Civil War a practicing lawyer in Preston county, is a great-grandson of Daniel Cresap, the first of the name, so far as known, to land on American soil. Daniel Cresap and his four sons-Robert, Daniel, Thomas and Michael-came over in a ship from England with Lord Baltimore, and preempted a thousand acres or more of land comprising the' site of Cresap, a village suburb of the city of Cumberland, Md. Here a house was erected with chimneys made of brick brought from
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England, an orchard planted with apple trees brought from the home land also, and a homestead established, where Bishop Asbury and Whitefield were wont to preach the Gospel of Good News to whoever would give an ear to hear. It was a noted home in other respects as well. In those days of travail with the Red men savage ruffianism had to be met and repulsed in bloody warfare, and the sturdy, hardy sons of Daniel Cresap found themselves equal to emergencies, becoming known as Indian fighters. Michael Cresap is the man spoken of by Logan, the Indian chief, in a speech, now said by Thomas Jefferson to be unsur- passed by anything ever uttered by Demosthenes or Cicero. At one time in those days of Indian warfare, when land was cheap and weapons of defense expensive, the Cresaps bought a gun in trade for a hundred-acre farm.
Robert Cresap, son of Daniel, was the father of Gustavus Cresap, the prosecuting attorney of Preston county for so many years. He was one of the younger brothers of the family, born September 21, 1767. Robert Cresap was too young to carry a musket, but he carried powder for the troops in the War of the Revolution. Besides being men of war, the Cresaps were all highly educated men, culture and scholarship having been one of the characteristic qualifications of the family.
May 9, 1795, Robert Cresap married Susannah Sweanger, born August 4, 1773. The children born to this union were: Ruth, January 16, 1797; Harriet, April 24, 1798; Thomas S., June 16, 1799; John, De- cember 26, 1800; Hannah, November 27, 1802; Daniel, June 23, 1804; Gustavus, January 9, 1806; Eusebia, December 27, 1807; Lenox, July II, 1809; Susan A., August 9, 1811 ; James William, May 16, 1814.
Robert Cresap died September 4, 1827. His son, Gustavus, was graduated from Frederick College, Maryland, and then a course of study in law was pursued. Being a fine scholar, especially in Latin, his legal qualifications were successfully obtained. In 1829 he came to Kingwood and began the practice of his profession and remained there until removed by death. On February 3, 1831, he married Ruhama Pindall, daughter of Jacob and Hannah Pindall of Morgantown. His father-in-law was a large landowner and at one time possessed Crab Orchard, 600 acres of which he gave to his daughters Ruhama and Susan Pindall. He also owned the first hotel in Morgantown. When he was young, Mr. Pindall carried salt and pewter dishes from Phila- delphia to Morgantown on horses.
After marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Cresap took up their residence in the new house now owned and occupied by his two children, Gustavus
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J. and Mary Baldwin Cresap, and where they died, the death of the father occurring in May, 1884, and the mother, May 23, 1900. She was born September 8, 1808.
In 1832, Gustavus Cresap was elected prosecuting attorney of Preston county, and he held that office until the year of the War, 1862. After the war he ran for the same office' in three counties-Preston, Barbour, and Randolph, and elected in the two last named. He was known as a forceful speaker, a great orator, and, most of all, an honest and upright man. James McGrew said Gustavus Cresap was the best prosecuting attorney in the State of West Virginia. As a man, Mr. Cresap stood high in the estimation of his fellow townsmen. As a Mason, among the members of the Kingwood Lodge, which he honored, none were honored more highly than he, and also as a consistent mem- ber of the Methodist Church, to which he and his wife both belonged. Mr. and Mrs. Cresap were both charitable and very good to the poor, for their many deeds of charity and goodwill are still remembered. Owing to Mr. Cresap's work and influence Preston county became a temperance one, and it has remained so. Their children were: Susan Louisa, born March 15, 1833. She married R. E. Cowan, by whom she had four children. Judge Cowan was a brilliant lawyer and Judge of the Court of Equity two terms in Kansas City, Mo. He is now dead. At one time he held the office of Record of the Seal of the Knights of Pythias, the highest office in that fraternity in the world. His widow resides in St. Louis, Mo. (2) Hannah Harriet, born July 9, 1834, died when four years of age. (3) Charles James Pindall, born August 17, 1836, studied law and practiced his profession in all the courts of the state. He settled many large estates and became a large land- owner himself. At one time he was a member of the State Legislature. His wife was Miss Agnes Crawford of Rockbridge, Va. On the night before he died, which was October 21, 1886, he said he was going home at six in the morning, and at six next morning he died. (4) Maria Elizabeth, married Israel Schaeffer. She was born April 11, 1839, and married in 1880; there were no children. (5) Robert Shelby was born March 5, 1841. He was killed in the Civil War at Moorefield, December 4, 1862. (6) Josephine Harriet, was born February 21, 1844. She died when twelve years old. (7) Mary Baldwin was born November 30, 1845. She promised both of her parents never to marry. (8) Rachael Ruhamah, born June 30, 1848, was married to G. G. Murdock, a farmer. They resided in Kansas until his death in 1899, and then she returned to Kingwood. No children. (9) Gustavus Jacob, born
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September 13, 1850, never married. He and his sister took faithful charge of the old folks until taken from them by death. Under his father's tuition he studied law and practiced with him as long as his parent lived, and then confined his time to looking after his interests of his realty which have been considerable. He was made executor of the parental estate and by his father's request required to give bond but no security. He has been a useful citizen of the commonwealth in a number of ways. In Odd Fellowship he stood high. He was Noble Grand at one time, held the office of Past Grand and filled offices of subordinate lodges ten or twelve years. He was also one of the chief officers of the encampment and represented the Grand Lodge of the State twice. Both he and his sister are members of the Presbyterian church. They reside at the old homestead and their lives are standing monuments of peace and quietude and good will to all men.
ROBERT BUCKNER BROWN.
Thomas Brown, above mentioned, was the ancestor of the subject of this sketch, who was the son of Buckner B. and Jane Freeborn Brown. Of these parents the father died June 28, 1877, forty-four years of age, and the mother died in 1908, aged seventy-two years.
Robert Buckner Brown was born near Reedsville, July 25, 1867. He was raised on the farm, and educated in the common schools. His father dying when he was but nine years old, left the cares of the home to him and his younger brother, Edwin S., after the older brothers and sisters had married off and moved away. Of these, Anna was the eldest, then came Thomas F., Charles M., Adaline, Ellen, Virgil B., Alice (who died when four years old), Robert B., Edwin S. and Aura (twins, born July 16, 1869), and Maude, the youngest, born April 2, 1875, now the wife of ex-Governor Dawson of Charleston, West Virginia.
R. B. Brown is a contractor and builder. He was a carpenter on bridges for the B. & O. Railroad Company when twenty years of age, and continued with them about ten years. He was also in the employ of the W. Va. N. R. R. Co., as master carpenter, three years; after which he was contractor and builder of the M. E. Church and other buildings from that time in Masontown and vicinity. He also built all
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ROBERT B. BROWN
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX IILDEN FOUND TIONS
COL. JOHN A. F. MARTIN
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LETY TILDEN !
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the bridges and trestle work between Reedsville and Rowlesburg for the M. & K. Railroad.
Mr. Brown is a Republican. He was president of the Board of Education of the Kingwood district; is now president of the Board of Education in the Valley district, and was at one time a committeeman.
Mr. Brown's first wife, Maggie Brand, died May, 1899. By her he had two children : Maude L., born May 16, 1893, and Marion Ruth, born June 29, 1894. The former daughter resides with her aunt, Mrs. W. M. O. Dawson, at Charleston, and the latter lives with Mrs. H. C. Flythe, at Kingwood.
Mr. Brown was married to Miss Callie, daughter of Sanford Watson, September 16, 1903. She was born September 16, 1871 ; no issue.
Mr. Brown is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and is much interested in church work. He was originally a member of the M. P. Church, but is now, and has been for years, an active member of the M. E. Church. He was trustee, also superintendent, of Kingwood Church for several years.
Mr. Brown's winter home is at St. Petersburg, Florida. He and his family have been spending the winter there during the past four years. His house' was built in 1905, and remodeled in 1911. He plants his garden in the month of December, generally.
ISAAC PARSONS MARTIN.
Colonel Charles Martin, from Martinsburg, Maryland, was the first settler in Preston by the name of Martin to come to this county. His arrival in Monongalia was in 1769, and a few years later he built the Stockade near the state line at Crooked Run.
Allen Martin, the immigrant predecessor of Isaac Parsons Martin, came from Charles county, Maryland, to the Glades of Valley about the same time the Fairfaxes did. He settled first near Morgantown. In 1806-9 he was keeping a tavern on the John W. Guseman place. He and his wife, Arlotta Maddox Martin, were buried at a place called the Bend of the River, near Little Falls. Only his son Aquila seems to have remained in Preston. The only son of Aquila was John A. F. Martin, whose mother was Mary Brown Fairfax. He was born April 22, 1822, and died January 24, 1898. He lived at Kingwood and
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Terra Alta, and became one of the most prominent citizens of the county. At one time he was sheriff of the county and was a member of the State Legislature, colonel of the 148th Regiment, Militia, and identified in a public-spirited way with a number of important enter- prises. He accumulated considerable property, was a Bible scholar and a well-informed man. His affability was one of the characteristics of his nature, and that, with his great generosity and kindness of heart, made him a very popular man, especially among the poor. His wife was Susan Louisa Fairfax, daughter of Buckner Fairfax. The sisters of John A. F. Martin were: Alinda, born February 10, 1826; Sophia A., born August, 1828, and Emeline. His wife was born November 17, 1833, married October 19, 1852, and died August 25, 1854, fifteen days after the birth of I. Parsons Martin, their only child. Bereft of a mother's care the son was taken into the home of Buckner Fairfax, and then, under the tutition of his grand-parents, was educated in the common schools and given a start in life. His earlier years were spent on a farm in Dunkard Bottom, and for a time he was in the employ of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company.
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