Memorial of John Crane.
“It very rarely happens that it is given to a man to be a source of inspiration to his fellowmen in more than one phase of human effort. A man may, during his life, have given evidence of exalted and self-denying patriotism, or have been conspicuous in the great field of charity, or an example of the highest type of the successful and upright business man, or a great leader in movements for the uplifting of mankind, but the average man cannot hope to establish a claim for recognition for more than one of these achievements. John Crane, however, was entitled to credit for a distinguished career in all. He was born in Morgan County, Ohio, on the 10th day of February, 1840. His mother died while he was quite young and his father took the family to the State of Wisconsin. War was declared between the North and South when he had hardly attained manhood, but, with two other young men, he organized a company of volunteers and was elected first lieutenant. This company offered its services to the governor of the State and was assigned to the Sixth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. The regiment was ordered to the Army of the Potomac, and was incorporated with other regiments which were known as the “Iron Brigade,” and as such attained great distinction for noteworthy services during the war. Mr. Crane served with the Sixth Wisconsin until the winter of 1862, when he resigned, but only for the purpose of aiding in the organization of the Seventeenth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, an Irish regiment which was being raised in that State. He was successful in organizing Company A, and became its first lieutenant. This regiment in March, 1862, was ordered South, and their first stop was at St. Louis, whence they went to Tennessee, arriving at Pittsburgh Landing, Tennessee, a couple of days after the Battle of Shiloh. The regiment was assigned to the division of General McArthur, with whom it served during the campaign, taking part in numerous skirmishes and the Battle of Corinth. About this time the Adjutant of the regiment resigned and Lieutenant Crane was appointed Adjutant, which position he held until the close of the war. Upon the organization of the Seventeenth Army Corps, Gen. J. B. McPherson commanding (afterwards killed before Atlanta), the regiment became one of the regiments of this Corps, taking part in the campaign before the Siege of Vicksburg. They participated in the siege, and the regiment, Lieut.-Col. Thomas MacMahon commanding, joined with others in making the first assault on the breastworks at Vicksburg, May 19, 1863. The regimental officers and men were most highly commended by their commanding officer. John Crane bore a distinguished part in this assault and was personally complimented by the general commanding. The Seventeenth Corps was part of the Army of the Tennessee under General Sherman and served in all its campaign before Atlanta and on the march to the sea. Notwithstanding the fact that John Crane was of a naturally impulsive nature, during the battle his ability to command and exercise a considerate supervision of his men was never affected. His bravery was characterized by unfaltering fearlessness, but never marred by recklessness. He remained in the service until the war was concluded.
“In the year 1868 Mr. Crane engaged in business with Colonel MacMahon, to whom reference has been made. Later William A. MacMahon, who served in the same regiment, entered the business, which was conducted under the name of Crane & MacMahon at the time of Mr. Crane’s death, which occurred on April 8, 1908, in New York City. The tie that had been formed with the MacMahon brothers in the service was strengthened by Mr. Crane’s marriage to their sister in the year 1866. She still survives him.
“From the outset, even when his time was much taken in forming his business relations and organizing his affairs, he was deeply and practically interested in charity. He commenced then the practice which was continued to the end of his life, not only of giving most liberally, but also of devoting his time and personal attention to the relief of the poor. For many years he was chairman of the finance committee of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and it was largely due to his gentle but firm persistency that persons able to do so were made to contribute. It was rarely that a meeting of the committee was held that there was not some practical suggestion by him towards procuring those already interested to take a still greater interest or to secure the sympathy of people who had not already contributed in the great work. His effort in this important field was never limited to satisfying the physical suffering of the moment, but included a practical and effective course, having for its end not only the provision for pecuniary resources, but the inspiration of new courage and hope. The battle always became easier and the prospect more hopeful after a visit from John Crane.
“Careless their merits or their faults to scan,
His pity gave ere charity began.”
“Since he carried into business the great elements of character that had made him a distinguished and able soldier and was constantly inspired by the broad spirit of charity which engendered the desire for fair dealing, it was only natural that his efforts should meet with success and that he and his associate should attain a position in the business world distinguished for an honorable policy and ability to produce effective results.
“The reward which attended his efforts in the great spheres of life, to which reference has already been made, caused a deeper appreciation of the value of spiritual inspiration. He realized that the battles that he had fought on the field of war and in civic life had been won because of his reliance not upon man or things, but upon the Supreme Being. He took advantage of every opportunity to convey this great lesson to his fellowmen. When about ten years before his death Governor Roosevelt appointed him a member of the board of trustees of the Soldiers’ Home in Steuben County, New York state, he was given an opportunity that probably brought him more real gratification than any other one thing in his philanthropic career. He organized at the Soldiers’ Home religious societies which furnished spiritual gratification to the veteran soldiers, and also gave them a new occupation that tended to relieve the monotony of institutional life. It seemed to him as if he were again, after the lapse of so many years, participating with pathetic care and solicitation in the careers and welfare of those who, under his guidance, were giving their lives to their country. It is not difficult to imagine what this opportunity meant to Major Crane. It is needless to say that the duty was discharged, not only in a manner that gave happiness to the inmates at the time, but also inaugurated methods that were so meritorious as to remain permanently to the advantage of the Home.
“Major Crane never entered actively into politics, although he was a man of clear and positive views as to public welfare. From time to time he freely lent his voice and aid to movements having for their object civic betterment.
“He was for many years the almoner of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, and gave the same intelligent and able consideration to the appeals made to the Society by the unfortunate as he had given to many other cases of distress. He was a most active and faithful member of the latter society, and, in fact, was deeply interested in anything that concerned the Irish race and furnished evidence of the great benefits it had conferred upon mankind.
“Major Crane was especially interested in American-Irish history because of its eloquent testimony in support of Irish virtue and ability. His own noble record will always be a bright page in the annals of the race in this country.
“Unbounded courage and compassion join’d,
Tempering each other in the victor’s mind,
Alternately proclaim him good and great,
And make the hero and the man complete.”