Col. Robert Crane was born on 21. Nov. 1818 at Liberty, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania. He was the son of
Col. George Washington Crane and
Christina Creacy Covenhoven. Col. Robert Crane married
Elizabeth McClung Stickler, daughter of
Jacob Strickler and
Jane McClung, on 6. May. 1846 at Columbia, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Col. Robert Crane was shown in the census on 9. Aug. 1850 as a merchant.
Col. Robert Crane and
Elizabeth McClung Stickler appeared on the census of 9. Aug. 1850 at Jersey Shore, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania; his real estate value 20,500.00
her real estate value 1,000.00. Col. Robert Crane was shown in the census on 7. Jul. 1860 as a bank teller.
Col. Robert Crane and
Elizabeth McClung Stickler appeared on the census of 7. Jul. 1860 at Jersey Shore, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania; real estate value 23,000.00, personal property 23,500.00. Col. Robert Crane was shown in the census on 7. Jul. 1870 as a conductor, railroad.
Col. Robert Crane and
Elizabeth McClung Stickler appeared on the census of 7. Jul. 1870 at Columbia Twp., Lancaster County, Pennsylvania; real estate value 18,500.00, personal property 66,473. Col. Robert Crane died on 4. May. 1891 at Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, at age 72.
Col. Robert Crane, her father (Mrs. John K. Lineaweaver), was a man of pronounced public spirit, wide popularity and eminent distinction. He was born in the town of Liberty, then within the old limits of Lycoming county, but now within the confines of Clinton county. His parents were George Crane and Christiana Covenhoven. His mother's family was among the first to settle in the New Netherlands, in 1630, and her more immediate ancestors were among the distinguished Pioneers of the Lycoming valley, and played a prominent part in protecting the white settlers from the midnight raids of the savages. Her father, Wolfert Covenhoven, was born in Monmouth Co., N. J. in 1755. He was a civil engineer by profession, and served as a scout in the army of Washington. He lived to the remarkable age of ninety-one years, dying Oct. 29, 1846. George Crane owned an extensive farm in Tippecanoe township, stretching alone the river three miles from Jersey Shore, on which he settled in 1819. Robert was his second child and eldest son, and passed his boyhood and youth on the paternal acres. On reaching man's estate he married Elizabeth M. Strickler, of Columbia, and he and his young wife took up their home in Jersey Shore. Mrs. Strickler's parents were Jacob and Jane (McClung) Strickler, of Lancaster county. Jacob was a farmer, a large land owner and a miller.
Robert Crane was a man whose business ability was as pronounced as his moral character was unspotted. While yet a young man he evinced a remarkable aptitude for managing enterprises of magnitude. He erected the large brick block in Jersey Shore, near the approach of the bridge across the river, a structure which was long known as the Crane Arcade, and was prominently identified with milling and lumber interests. In 1860 he became interested in the building of the Columbia & Reading Railroad, and removed to Columbia. For several years after the completion of the line he was its superintendent. He was also an influential factor in the organization of the company which built the Bound Brook Railroad, and was largely interested in the road's construction. At the time of his death he was president of the Delaware & Lancaster Railroad Company, whose line extended from Lancaster to Phoenixville.
Politically Col. Crane followed his ancestral traditions. He was always a Democrat, yet while opposing the election of President Lincoln he gave the national administration loyal and hearty support in its efforts to suppress the rebellion. When the Confederate forces, led by Lee and "Stonewall" Jackson, approached Columbia, he was the first to apply the torch to the bridge, the rebel forces being within one hundred feet of the farther approach across the river. His prompt action saved Columbia and a large portion of Lancaster county from invasion, and for it he was thanked and commended in a general order promulgated by Gen. Crouch, commanding the Division of the Susquehanna.
In addition to the other responsible posts so ably filled by Col. Crane, he was for several years a director of the Susquehanna Iron Company, and vice-president of the First National Bank of Columbia. About 1885 he removed from Columbia to Philadelphia, where he engaged actively in real estate and insurance business. He received his title of colonel through being appointed on the staff of Gov. Bigler, with that rank. In 1858 he was elected to represent Lycoming county in the lower house of the legislature. He served his constituents so well that he was chosen to represent them for a second term, and his public record is without stain.
He was a devout member of the Presbyterian Church, and a liberal supporter of the cause of religion. He was, nevertheless, tolerant of all faiths, and genuinely charitable toward the failings of his fellow mortals. His temperament was affectionate and genial; his instincts generous; and his urbane manner made him a welcome guest in social intercourse. In 1856 the late John F. Meginness dedicated to him the first edition of his "History of West Branch Valley," in recognition of the svmpathy and encouragement extended to him by one who never turned a deaf ear to a worthy appeal for help, and who regarded God's poor as the continuing heritage of God's children.
To Col. Crane and wife five children were born, of whom Mrs. Dr. Lineaweaver is the eldest. The others were: George; Creacy, Mrs. H. 0. Chapman, of Germantown; Robert, the husband of Alice Hershey, of Philadelphia; and Elizabeth, who is unmarried and resides in Columbia.