George W. Crandall (deceased) was one of the men whose lives were sacrificed on the altar of their country during the dark days of the Civil war. He was a native of Susquehanna county, born in New Milford township March 2, 1827.
Our subject’s father, Caleb Crandall, was born in Rhode Island in 1786, and was educated in that State. In 1810 he was married, in Connecticut, to Miss Charlotte Babcock, who was born in Connecticut in 1789, and there they passed the first three years of their married life, coming to Susquehanna county, Penn., at the end of that time. They first located in Springville, but shortly afterward removed to New Milford, where the father worked at his trade of carpenter for a number of years. Subsequently he went to Tompkins county, N. Y., where he continued to follow his chosen occupation until late in life. There he died in 1848, and his worthy wife, who long survived him, passed away in 1872. In their family were twelve children, namely: (1) Charlotte, born in Connecticut in 1811, married to Bailey Evans, and located near Ithaca, N. Y., where they reared a family of six children — Melissa, Mary, Dora, Crandall, Louise and Nancy. (2) Ira, born in Connecticut in 1812, married and located in Richford, N. Y. (3) Mary became the wife of M. L. Green, of New Milford, Penn., and had eight children. (4) William married and settled in Ohio, where two of his sons are still living. (5) John, born in New Milford in 1817, married and moved to Cortland, Ill., where he died leaving two daughters, who are still living in the west. (6) Job T., born in 1818, was a resident of Waterloo, N. Y. His son, J. Warren, is now living in Rock Island, Ill. (7) Sarah born in 1820, married Edwin Green, of New Milford, and now resides in Oregon. (8) Charles, born in 1822, married and located in New York State, where he died in 1849, leaving no children. (9) Isaac, born in 1824, married and settled in Owego, N. Y. He has two children living – Morris, a resident of Owego; and Alsine of Illinois. (10) George W. Was next in the order of birth. (11) Alsine, born in 1829, is the wife of Sylvester Schutt, of Slaterville, N. Y., and they have five children– Louise, Henry, George, Howard and Cora. (12) Albert, born in New Milford in 1831, married Olive Green, of Susquehanna county, and moved to Ohio.
George W. Crandall was indebted to the public schools of New Milford for his educational advantages. During his youth he learned the carpenter’s traded, which he made his life work, after his marriage remaining in New Milford for a short time, and then removing to Brookdale, where he followed his chosen calling until after the opening of the Rebellion. In the spring of 1861 he enlisted in Company H, 4th P. R.V. C., of which he was first lieutenant, but resigned in November 1861. On account of ill health, he remained at home until November, 1862, when he raised a company, becoming its captain. This was Company C, 151st P. V. I., and he was in active service until taken ill in 1863, some time after the fight at Chancellorsville. After some time spent in hospital, where he wife went to care for him, he was granted a furlough and returned home where he died August 24, 1863. His integrity of character, his sterling worth, and never failing courtesy, made him beloved by all who had the honor of his acquaintance, and he left a large circle of friends, as well as his family, to mourn his decease.
On April 21, 1848, Mr. Crandall was united in marriage with Miss Mary (Townsend) Hinchman, representatives of old and prominent families of Sussex county, N. J., who came to Susquehanna county, Penn., in 1838, and took up their residence in Brookdale, where the father was engaged in agriculture. In their family were nine children: Elizabeth, wife of Jacob Chalker; Hannah, wife of Alanson Chalker, of Conklin, N. Y.; Mary A., widow of our subject; Almeda and William, both of whom died young; John, who married and located in New York; James, who died from the effects of wounds received in battle during the Civil war, leaving a wife, but no children; Harriett, wife of J. B. Lasure, of Liberty township, Susquehanna; and James, who was born after the death of his brother of the same name, and is now a resident of Brookdale.
To Mr. and Mrs. Crandall were born four children: (1) Charlie, born in 1848, served in the Civil war, enlisting in February, 1864, at the age of fifteen, in Company A, 5th New York Cavalry, and remaining in the service until hostilities ceased. In 1872 he enlisted in the regular army as a member of Company C, 7th Cavalry, and this time served for five years, being under the command of Gen. Custer on his Indian raids, and was present in the battle and terrible massacre in which that brave commander was killed. After leaving the army he married Evalyn Winans, of Corbettsville, N. Y. and located at Lawsville, Penn., where he died in April, 1885, leaving a wife but no children. (2) William A., born at Lawsville in 1851, was educated at the Harford Soldiers Orphans School, and is now a resident of Susquehanna, where he is serving as superintendent of the Prudential Insurance Co. He married Carrie Van Loan, of Liberty township, and to them were born three children– M. Maude; George T., who died young; and Kenneth. (3) Ida M., born in Liberty township in 1853, received her education at the Harford Soldiers Orphans School, and is now the wife of A. L. Tiffany, of New Haven, Conn., by whom she has one son, Ralph. (4) Laura L., born in October, 1860, also attended the Harford Soldiers Orphans School, and higher institutions of learning in that town, and later successfully engaged in teaching school for three terms in Susquehanna county. In 1898 she married F. H. Southworth, a prominent merchant and business man of Lawsville Center, where he is now serving as postmaster. With them Mrs. Crandall now finds a pleasant home, and is spending her declining years in ease and quiet, surrounded by all the comforts and many luxuries of life. She is a consistent Christian woman, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which her husband also belonged, and with which her family are also connected. The sons are supporters of the Republican party, with which Mr. Crandall affiliated until his death. The family is one of prominence socially, and its members occupy honorable positions in life.
Buried – Brookdale Cemetery
Currently a resident of Burke, Virginia - I'm originally from the City of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I have been a student of the Pennsylvania Reserves since 1997 and thoroughly enjoy telling their story. By trade I'm a former IT Professional but presently working as a Letter Carrier for the United States Postal Service.
