Marcus M. Crane

NJGenWeb ~ Morris County, New Jersey

Marcus M. Crane

Marcus M. CRANE is a member of a family which has been for many years identified with Morris county and has established an enviable reputation for himself in Boonton on account alike, of his character and the number and importance of his business connections.

Mr. CRANE was born in Pine Brook, Morris county, New Jersey, 1847, a son of Timothy Ward and Catherine (QUARTER) CRANE, and grandson of Benjamin CRANE, who sat on the bench as judge in Morris county for twenty-five years. Timothy Ward CRANE, our subject’s father, was a farmer in early life but later entered the real estate field. He and Mrs. CRANE, a native of Passaic county, were originally members of the Presbyterian church but afterwards joined the Reformed church. To them were born, besides our subject, eight children as follows: Benjamin J., Newton W.; Sarah C., wife of David DOUGLAS; Louisa, wife of Richard CAREY; Joseph; Amsey L.; all living; and Wilson W. and Mary, deceased.

Marcus M. CRANE obtained his entire education in the common schools of Morris county, and upon leaving them went to California where he remained four years engaged in the fruit business. He then returned to Boonton and started in the general house furnishing business in his present location, where he will have been forty-four years, February 20, 1914. His establishment now carries the largest assortment of house furnishing goods in Morris county. Mr. CRANE is also a director of the Farmer’s and Merchants Bank; a stockholder in the American Trust Company of Morristown, the New Jersey Fire Insurance Company, C. H. Leonard & Company and Francis H. Leggett of New York City.

Mr. CRANE married Mary F. MORRELL, daughter of William and Catherine (VAN NESS) MORRELL, of Little Falls, New Jersey. Miss MORRELL was an only child save for a half-brother, William VAN NESS. To Mr. and Mrs. CRANE have been born three children: Bertha, wife of Ford KITCHEL; Eva, deceased; Marcus Ward CRANE. The union of Mr. KITCHEL and Miss CRANE has been blessed with six children as follows: Gladys Crane, Frances Genevieve, Ford Jr.., Marguerite, Allison, and Woodrow Wilson. Mr. and Mrs CRANE are members of the Reformed church, and Mr. CRANE served for many years as member of consistory. Mr. CRANE is a Democrat in politics but has never sought office.

Transcribed by John Cresseveur (1949-2003)