Santa Barbara County Biographies

JUDGE H. G. CRANE

Submitted by Peggy Hooper

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm


JUDGE H. G. CRANE.� One of the old and honored residents of Santa Barbara is the subject 
of this sketch, who was born at Varick, Seneca County, New York, in 1828, being the youngest 
of six children. His self-support began at the age of twelve years, when he was bound out to a 
farmer for a term of four years, getting the little education that was afforded in those early 
days at the winter schools. His next step forward was to Ypsilanti, Michigan, where he served
two years with a harness-maker. He learned the trade and then bought a one-half interest in 
the business, in 1852, which was very prosperous, making many harnesses for shipment to St. 
Paul and New Orleans. Owing to failing health he sold his interest in 1856, coming to California 
by the Isthmus of Panama and settling in Tuolumne County, where he had mining interests 
which proved very profitable. In 1861 he was elected Justice of the Peace, holding the office 
four years. In 1862 he bought out a hardware and merchandise store at Shaw's Flats, which he 
continued until 1868, when he sold out, and in 1869 came to Santa Barbara. He bought two 
blocks in De La Vina street and built the pleasant cottage which he now occupies, corner of Sola 
and De La Vina streets. In 1871 he was elected Justice of the Peace, holding the office until 
January, 1883. He also became engaged in real-estate business. In 1882 he was elected Public 
Administrator, commencing from January, 1883, and continuing in office until January, 1887, 
when he was elected Supervisor of the Second District, and was made chairman of the board, 
continuing in that office up to the present date. Judge Crane was examined and admitted to 
practice law in the Superior Court of the county of Santa Barbara in May, 1890. He lost his first 
wife in 1883, whom he married in Saline, Michigan. He was again married in Santa Barbara, in 
1886, to the very estimable lady Miss Frances Porter. Mr. Crane has one son, Alphonse, who 
has been a successful stationer in Santa Barbara, and with whom he is now connected in real- 
estate interests. Mr. Crane built Crane's Hall in 1876, and he is recognized as a man of deep 
knowledge and research, a man strict in the discharge of his duties. 

History of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and Ventura Counties, California  - by 
C.M. Gidney, Benjamin Brooks, Edwin M. Sheridan, Vol I, II.  -Lewis Publ. Co., 
Chicago, 1917.