For Descendants of Christopher (Doc) Cranston & Bess Melby
“Josie,” actually Josephine Parke Cranston was the daughter of Charles Edward Cranston (Chris’s father) and the niece of Josephine Park Cranston, Charles Edward Cranston’s sister. “Josie” was “Aunt Jo” to Marion, Helen, Bill and Tip and appears to be the favorite niece of Josephine Park Cranston. It was to “Josie” that Josephine Park Cranston gave […]
Read More…Uncle Bill. That’s who he was and who he will always be to me. He had a terrific smile and was always fun to be around. I knew him when I was a little kid on the ranch in North Dakota, but got to know him better during the four years after we moved to […]
Read More…One of the pleasures I had by being related to “Uncle Tip” was that I could enjoy humor with him. He loved to laugh . . . and he loved practical jokes – even if the jokes were played on him. I always had a great deal of respect for him – particularly because he […]
Read More…This is a composition by Josephine Park Cranston on “Friendship.” It is worth a good read and careful thought. ~ CC This is a companion to the “Composition No. 1st” on Columbus—same young hand, same schoolroom exercise series, signed by Josephine. Here’s the transcription. Friendship (decorative banner heading) Friendship is one of the purest, strongest, […]
Read More…This letter was written by Christopher Cranston, son of John Cranston and father of Charles Edward Cranston, to his sister (name unknown). Apparently she lived in Dayton, Ohio and the letter is intended to introduce a friend, Miss Charlotte T. Fermer who would be moving to Dayton. He asks his sister to assist her in […]
Read More…This is a letter written by Charles Edward Cranston’s wife, Keturah Taylor Parke, to her friend Josephine Topham in 1854. She describes the day beautifully and expresses her wishes that Josie does well in her studies. This letter was written BEFORE her marriage to Charles Edward Cranston. I can’t be certain, but I think that […]
Read More…Sometime in the 1890s, Josephine Park Cranston assembled what she called the Cranston “Genealogical Descent in America.” She traces the history of the Cranstons from Governor John Cranston through the son of Peleg Cranston, John Cranston. Here is what she wrote: Genealogical Descent in America From Document L, in Josephine P. Cranston’s hand. A direct […]
Read More…Josephine Park Cranston provides her family with a rewrite of the announcement of the wedding of Orpha Cranston to Rev. J.P. Farmer in Oregon on 21 October 1896. Orpha Cranston was the grand daughter of Ephraim Cranston who migrated to Oregon in 1850-1851 and whose letters are posted.
Read More…Josephine (Josie) Parke Cranston was the daughter of Charles Edward Cranston and Christopher (Doc) Cranston’s older sister by twelve years. The “Parke” is correct – not to be confused with her aunt – Josephine Park Cranston. “Parke” was the maiden name of Charles’s wife and Josie’s mother, Keturah Taylor Parke Cranston. Helen, Marion, Bill and […]
Read More…Susanne Helen Davies, 67, of Gainesville, passed away June 3, 2007 at the Prince William Hospital. Born May 6, 1940 in Bowman, North Dakota, she was the daughter of Wood and Helen Cranston Jett. On December 27, 1960 in Hot Springs, South Dakota, she married John L. Davies, her beloved husband and best friend, who […]
Read More…This letter is delightful—Josephine in 1889 as a businesswoman, working the County Superintendent. The hand is clear. Here’s the transcription. Melvin, Barber Co., Kas. July 27th, 1889. Mr. H. S. Landis, Sup. Pub. Inst. Dear Sir, Your Normal Institute being in session, I will remind you of the “Improved Geographical Aids,” to which I called […]
Read More…This letter was written to Josephine Park Cranston by her father, Christopher Cranston, from Woodstock, Ohio on October 17, 1858 about three weeks before he died on November 8, 1858. Josephine’s mother was Irene W. (Nott) Cranston – Christopher’s second wife. His first wife, Lora, was the mother of Charles Edward Cranston – Josephine’s half […]
Read More…HYRUM, Utah – Daniel Preston Painter, 60, passed away peacefully at his home in Hyrum, Utah, surrounded by his beloved family on Sunday, November 5, 2006, from renal (kidney) cancer. Dan was born January 31, 1946 in Hot Springs, South Dakota to Preston and Marion Cranston Painter. He was the fourth child of ten children. […]
Read More…As Dick Painter said, “Mom had anticipated this photo and wanted everything just right. Everyone had just the right clothes notice. Dan and Mary had tried using hydrogen peroxide and their hair was a little light colored. Ned did it and had me try it too. Our hair turned out an awful looking red so […]
Read More…This is a newsy letter from Josephine Park Cranston who lived in Woodstock, Ohio to her brother, Stephen Charles Cranston who had moved to Galesburg, Illinois. In the letter, she talks about purchasing a suit for Stephen – the price? $6.00 Woodstock, Ohio, Oct. 13th, 1896. Mr. C. E. Cranston, My Dear Brother, Kittie’s letter […]
Read More…Charlie Jett Comments – This is what the letter is all about. George Cranston of Edinburgh, Scotland writes to Josephine Park Cranston on December 17, 1872. He expresses his frustration with his relatives in Scotland for not responding quickly to Josephine’s requests. He points out that there was an Abbot Thomas Cranston at the Gedburg […]
Read More…I think this is the wedding photo of Preston and Marion Painter.
Read More…Sometime around 1980, Tip was visiting us in Chicago. He had come to Chicago to watch a handball tournament in the northern suburbs – so we let him use our car. We were waiting for him to come home that evening, and he didn’t arrive until about an hour after he thought he would […]
Read More…When Marion, Helen, Bill and Tip lived with Giles and Nellie Campbell at (I think) the Shaw place, Helen, Bill and Tip were playing down by the Grand River. One of them had to go to the bathroom (#2) . . . . went . . . and then covered the “stuff” with dirt. […]
Read More…Sometime around 1949 or 1950, I was at the 7-11 ranch staying with “Uncle Bill” and “Aunt Doreen” and having fun with Chris. Uncle Bill had just purchased a new Lionel “O” gauge electric train and set it up with the track running completely around the living room. He was very proud of it. Somehow […]
Read More…These photos were uploaded by cousin Chris Cranston . . . please make comments if you identify specific individuals. I’ll do the best I can. ~ CC Tip and Bill sometime in the ’30’s Tip, Bessie, Bill, Wood Jett, Ole Melby OK Cousins – Who are these folks? Use the “Comments” below. ~ CC Bess, […]
Read More…On April 18, 1951, William Randolph Cranston (Bill) was killed in a two car crash near the town of Tyndall, South Dakota. He was riding in the back seat of a Cadillac and the driver attempted to pass a car on a hill but met another car coming up the hill. The driver swerved to […]
Read More…John Cranston was the son of Peleg Cranston. He was born on November 3, 1755 in Rhode Island and later moved to Woodstock, Ohio where he died in 1825. He married Phoebe Ann Edwards on April 4, 1791 and one of their children was Christopher Cranston who was the father of Charles Edward Cranston (Chris’s […]
Read More…These are photos taken on Tip’s 80th birthday with his family. Helen attended the festivities.Tip and Helen Tip and Helen Jean, Janice and Karen Bill Pat
Read More…Bess Melby at Battle Mountain Auto Camp – around 1951 Bess Melby going out to mow hay at the Shaw Place – 1926 – with Sam and Buster Bess Campbell (before marriage) 1908 Bill Cranston and Bob Painter 1942 Bill and Tip with Buster around 1918 Sailor Bob Dodge with Bill Cranston in Scranton 1918 […]
Read More…Josephine gives a very descriptive picture of Louisville – mentions the frequent fires and attributes their probable cause. (A descriptive school essay in Josephine’s hand, heavily self-corrected — many words struck through and others inserted above the line; her own deletions and insertions are noted below. Verso bears a folded-letter address panel and a red […]
Read More…This letter was written by Ephraim. Cranston to his brother Christopher Cranston, about 310 miles west of St. Joseph, Missouri near Ft. Kearney, Nebraska. Diplomatic transcription New fort Kearney, May 22, 1851 Dear friends we have just ^arrived her all well without the first accident whatever all in good spirit ^after remaining all night ^in a […]
Read More…This is a composition about “spring” written by Josephine Park Cranston Spring Hail, lovely spring with all thy loveliness! winter has now passed away, and delightful spring has once more made its appearance; The streams that have been clasped in the icy chains of winter are now set free, and the ground is sending forth […]
Read More…This is an excellent letter written from Lebanon, Oregon after the long trip. It is from Ephraim Cranston apparently to his brother, Christopher Cranston. It is quite descriptive of the difficulties on the trip and he provides a nice picture of the country in Oregon compared to Ohio. It is rather sad, though, because he […]
Read More…This is a touching poem written by Josephine Park Cranston on the death of a friend. I don’t know who the “friend” was – but it appears that the friend was a male. Josephine P. Cranston, “On The Death of a Friend” (poem), Dec. 3, 1854 (A fair-copy poem in Josephine’s hand on blue laid […]
Read More…Josephine Cranston writes a newsy letter about her studies to a friend, Emily. The year is 1851. Josephine P. Cranston to “My dear friend Emily,” April 8, 1851 (“Home,” near Woodstock / Mechanicsburg, OH) (A four-page friendship letter on blue laid paper in Josephine’s hand. Several authorial insertions [˄ … ] and deletions; staining and […]
Read More…This is a War of 1812 military bounty land patent — a printed form with manuscript fill-ins, signed (or secretarially signed) by President James Monroe. This is a War of 1812 military bounty land patent — a printed form with manuscript fill-ins, signed (or secretarially signed) by President James Monroe. The engraved vignette and printed […]
Read More…Christopher Cranston, Charles Edward Cranston’s father, died on November 8, 1858 at age 55. This is the record of the probate of his estate. The estate, after expenses, contained the amount of $7,044 for distribution. In today’s dollars, that would be approximately $201,000. His wife (Irene) received a distribution of $2414.66 or $68,990 in today’s […]
Read More…This is a COPY of John Cranston’s will. John was Charles Edward Cranston’s father – died on August 25, 1825 in Woodstock, OH. I don’t know who made the copy. _________________ Last Will and Testament of John Cranston Wayne Township, Champaign County, Ohio · March 22, 1823 Manuscript “Copy of Will” · Document W in […]
Read More…Josephine Park Cranston received a letter from Keturah Park of Worthington, OH about studies. Keturah Park[s] to “My Dear friend Jose,” May 8, 1854 (Worthington, [OH?]) (A friendship letter on wove paper in a looser, phonetically-spelled hand — not Josephine’s. Writer signs “Keturah Park[s].” Addressed to “Jose” (Josephine). Includes interlined postscripts around the signature. The […]
Read More…This is fun. Josephine P. Cranston received a letter from George Cranston of Glascow, Scotland seeking Ralph Waldo Emerson’s autograph. Josephine sent it on to Emerson – I don’t know if she (or George) ever received the autograph. But at least Josephine had the enthusiasm to try. She lived in Knoxville, Illinois at the time […]
Read More…Note from Charlie Jett This is a very sad letter. Christopher Cranston (Charles Edward Cranston’s father) married Lora Park in 1832 in Rhode Island and Lora died in March of 1835 in Ohio. He expresses his grief and frustration – and describes his last moments with her. So sad. Christopher later married Irene W. Nott. […]
Read More…This letter is in very bad shape, but it is from Charles Edward Cranston to his brother, sister and daughter. He laments the fact that they are apart and worries about Josephine’s health. ______________________ Christopher Cranston to “Dear Brother, Sister and Daughter,” March 17, 1844 (Champaign Co., OH) — DAMAGED, PARTIAL READING (Letter on laid […]
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