Ellery Bicknell Crane, born in Colebrook, N.H., in 1836, was the son of Robert Prudden and Almira P. Crane. In 1837 the family moved to Beloit, Wis., where Ellery attended both public and private schools and subsequently enrolled in the preparatory department at Beloit College. He was married to Salona Aldrich Rawson in 1859. After traveling to California and across the Isthmus of Panama, Crane moved back East to work as a bookkeeper and salesman for a Boston lumber dealer in 1862. Crane moved to Worcester in 1867, where he founded his own lumber dealing business with partner John French. After Crane bought out French's interest, he ran the company on his own until it was burned down on 8 July 1900. At this time Crane resigned from the lumber business and began his career as a genealogical and historical researcher. He was elected to be Librarian of the Worcester Historical Society, a position he held for fifteen years. Crane was also president of the Society for several years, as he was an integral part of its founding.
From the description of Ellery Bicknell Crane papers, 1836-1925. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 754847625
