Anniversary of Lathan Crandall
Chenango Union, February 11, 1886
The children and near relatives of Lathan Crandall met at his residence in Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], February 4th, 1886, to celebrate his eighty-fourth birthday. Many friends were present from far and near, to join in making the occasion one of mutual interest.
The subject of this sketch was born in the town of Lyden, Mass., February 4th, 1802. At the age of four, in March, 1806, he removed to this state and settled in Plymouth [Chenango Co., NY], on the same farm on which he has resided seventy-seven years. Commencing life thus early in the nineteenth century, settling there in the midst of an almost unbroken wilderness, when there were but few houses in Norwich, his sturdy strokes contributed to fell the surrounding forest, and lay the foundations of future competence. Then the settlements were confined to the valleys along the beds of streams, while the other portions of the country were covered by unbroken forests, their possession disputed by the dusky red men and the wild denizens of the wilderness. Bears, wolves and panthers roamed at large, much to the annoyance of the hardy pioneers. Advancing civilization crowded them back, and their wild abodes gave place to happy homes of industrious pioneers. Three fourths of a century has wrought a wonderful transformation. Then was heard from the surrounding hills the sharp bark of the wolf and the scream of the panther. Now the valleys and surrounding hills re-echo to the blast of the steam whistle and the jarring tread of the iron horse.
Early in life he learned the trade of a brick and stone mason, successfully pursuing said avocation for many years, at the same time tilling his farm. By perseverance and economy he has met the expense of rearing up a large family, and saved up enough, over and above, to place himself in easy circumstances in the decline of life. His domestic relations have been blessed by the presence of thirteen children, eight of whom, four sons and four daughters, still survive; thirty-seven grandchildren and nineteen great-grandchildren. The eight living children are all settled in life, and are heads of families. His eldest son is an experienced miller, and owns and operates the valuable grist mill at Holmesville. The eldest daughter is the wife of a well-to-do farmer in Sherburne. The next younger daughter is the wife of the writer of this sketch, and lives in Plymouth. Another son is a master workman mason, and lives in Norwich. The two other sons are thorough-going and prosperous farmers, owning the old homestead, and other lands adjoining thereto, in Plymouth. Another daughter is the wife of a farmer of large possessions on the fertile plains of Kansas. The last and youngest daughter is the wife of the General Freight Agent of the Connecticut River Railroad Company, and resides in Springfield, Mass.
Then we now from the temporal to the moral, spiritual side of the subject we are endeavoring to chronicle. We note the fact with much satisfaction, that from our earliest recollection the honored subject of this sketch has afforded us all the benefit of the example of a life of consistent Christian usefulness and labor. Would that we might all benefit by his worthy example. Early in life he and his excellent wife united with the M.E. Church in Norwich, where for more than half a century he has been a worthy and honored member. Such a life, steadily consistent in its Christian course, is an educating moral force in society. Such a life is silently, yet no less potently, teaching the great cardinal principles of Christianity. We fear society does not properly appreciate the real worth of such an example. We live in a fast age; the material seems to predominate over the spiritual life. Rationalism seems to have more followers than Revelation. This ought not so to be. It were good for society to pause and reflect on the outcome of such a state of things.
Time writes the signals of change on all things material, and its rapid flight admonishes that these natal reunions will soon cease at longest; hence we involuntarily breathe prayer that the loved subject of our theme may live many years yet, to bless us with his presence and lead us by his example; and finally, when his work is done here, and we have ceased to greet him on this, his natal day, may he go to his reward, full of years and good works, and hear from the Master the "Well done," on the other shore.
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Obituary
Chenango Semi-Weekly Telegraph, March 23, 1892
Lathan Crandall
Born, February 4th, 1802
Died, March 20th, 1892
A knot of black at the door tells the story, Lathan Crandall, the oldest man in Norwich, has gone. Death did not come to him unexpected, as it comes to many, not in his young manhood, as an enemy, but when in the fullness of years he had completed his life work, the friendly angel came, not to call him to an accounting, but to his Heavenly home and to his reward beyond the river.
Lathan Crandall was born in Leyden, ten miles from Greenfield, Massachusetts, February 4th, 1802. He came from a race of pioneers. His grandfather was one of the early settlers of Vermont back in 1750. His father was one of those who emigrated to Central New York in 1807 when it was considered "going west" to come out into the unknown wilderness. He erected a log house in Plymouth township near the place where the residence of Leman Smith stands at present. Plymouth was then a forest, and the early pioneers, of which Latham Crandall was one, erected a lasting memorial when they brought out of that forest the productive and fertile farms which are today the pride of Chenango County.
Early in life he learned the stone mason's trade and many buildings in this vicinity and throughout the county testify to his superior workmanship, and will for many years stand as memorials to his work. In everything he undertook he was systematic and thorough, and whatever he did he did well.
Embracing Christianity and uniting with the Methodist Episcopal church in his young manhood, he gave his entire life to the service of the Master. For many years he has been a class leader in the Broad Street Church and has by the symmetry and purity of his life endeared himself to all who came to know him. To those who knew him through the long journey, he was the able captain and skillful mariner, and in recent years, he was as one who had cast his anchor safely in the harbor and only awaited the summons to go to the Beautiful Shore. On the 4th of February, last, surrounded by over a hundred of his descendants, Lathan Crandall celebrated his ninetieth birthday. He was than hale and strong with the promise of years before him, but this was not to be. An All wise Father, who had spared his life far beyond the usual lot of man's existence, called him home. During his life
"No simplest duty was forgot,
Life had no dim and lowly spot
That did not in his sunshine share."
He lived for himself and his family a pure home life, seeking not the fame or glory of this world. content rather in the happiness of his loved ones and in a happy home. And as he lived he died. In the quietness of his own home, surrounded by his family, after an illness of only two weeks he passed peacefully away with
"Life's race well run,
Life's work well done,
Life's crown well won,
Now comes rest."
Mr. Crandall was thrice married, first to Keziah Aldrich, by whom he had thirteen children, four boys and nine girls. Eight are still living, four having died in infancy and one in young womanhood. The mother died in 1872. In 1874 he married Miss Hannah Blair, who died in 1880. in the fall of 1880 he married Mrs. Almeda McCullon, who survives him. His descendants number one hundred and twelve, of whom death has claimed thirty. Marriage has added thirty-six to the family of whom six have passed away, leaving one hundred fourteen of the family still living, eighty-two of them are direct descendants, thirty direct descendants having gone before.
The funeral services will be held from his late home in Plymouth Street this Wednesday afternoon at one o'clock, Rev. L.C. Hayes officiating. The remains will be interred in the family lot at south Plymouth.
Funeral
Morning Sun, Norwich, NY, March 24, 1892
The funeral of Lathan Crandall the oldest resident of Norwich and oldest member of the Broad street M.E. church, was held yesterday from his late residence on Plymouth street at 1 p.m. There was a large gathering of relatives and friends. Appropriate music was sung by a trio composed of Miss Meritta Scott and Messrs. Albert Cary and Daniel Blackman. Rev. L.C. Hayes, the officiating clergyman, made some extended remarks taking for the basis the twelfth verse of the first chapter of second Timothy. "I know whom I have believed." In the course of his address he said:
Lathan Crandall was the oldest son of Joseph and Esther Crandall, and was born at Leyden, Mass., February 4, 1892. In 1805, his father's father-in-law, Phineas Crumb, came to this state and built a log house in the southeastern part of the town of Plymouth. In the winter of 1806, their family came to this then new country and took up their residence in the house which had been prepared for them. Here they lived for one year, when Joseph moved his family into a house nearby which he had built. In Plymouth and the town of Norwich (just west of this village) Lathan lived with his father until about 1825. In 1824 October 17, he was united in marriage with Keziah Aldrich. The following spring they went to housekeeping on the farm now owned by William and Joseph, his sons, located on the Canasawacta creek, about four miles from this village. The farm then consisted of only ten acres, to which he soon after added twenty-two acres more, and this for thirty-nine years constituted his farm, during which time his attention was given to both farming and mason work. In 1862 he added to his farm by purchase seventy-eight acres, which then demanded all his attention and he was obliged to give up the work of a mason. All of his attention was given to his family and the interest of the farm. To this home there came thirteen children, nine of whom reached manhood and womanhood. Four died in early childhood. In 1872, Mrs. Crandall, with whom he had walked the journey of life for forty-seven years, was called to the better land, leaving behind precious memories of a devoted wife, mother and Christian woman. In 1874 he was untied in marriage with Miss Hannah Blair of this town who died about six years after. In 1880 he married Mrs. Almeda McCullom of this village. For three years they lived on the old homestead at Plymouth, and then came to Norwich, taking up their residence in the house where they have since lived, and from which last Sunday morning at 11 o'clock he took his departure to go into "that house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens."
In 1841 Lathan Crandall was converted and united with the Methodist Episcopal church in this village. Since then, though, for a greater part of the time, living three or more miles away from the church, it was unusual for him to be absent, thus showing his interest in the cause of Christ and the church of which he was a member. In his business life he was true to those interests which demanded his attention, likewise in the Christian life he was true to the principles of truth and was faithful to all the demands of the church, striving to do well all the work he was called upon to perform in the interests of Christ's kingdom. Unless sickness prevented he was sure to be present at the class meeting Sunday evening, of which for many years he has been leader.
The many relatives and friends have the consolation of knowing that his work, wherever duty called him, was thoroughly and faithfully performed, and we have the evidence that the Great Rewarder hath said "Well done, though good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joys of thy Lord." To mourn his loss is the one who for the past twelve years has been his true helpmate and Christian companion. Three brothers, Joseph, Elisha and William, and one sister, Mrs. Diana Ellis, who are all residents of this town [Norwich, NY], also survive him. The children are Lathan of Holmesville, Benjamin of this village, William and Joseph of Plymouth, Mrs. Calphurnia Holmes of Sherburne, Mrs. Cyrene Benedict of Plymouth, Mrs. Adelaide Tinker of Kansas and Mrs. Almira Howard of Springfield, Mass., who with the grand and great grandchildren, with other members of this one family of whom Lathan Crandall was the head, numbered 148 members of whom there are now living 114 and 84 have passed on before. May all, like our departed brother, so love the truth and be so governed by its principals that in heaven at last this whole family may be gathered. The burial took place at south Plymouth.
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