ABOVE PHOTO: Patriarch of the Craner family, Nicholas Craner (1827-1907, age 80) with unknown child, most likely a grandchild.
Recently, an extraordinary and historically significant treasure surfaced. Buried deep in the attic of an historic Jordan home, a large collection of early photographs of the prominent Craner family of Jordan was discovered. This unexpected find was just thrilling! These images, which are unlikely to have been seen previously by anyone alive today, will be shared publicly for the first time in this blog post. In addition, for additional background and context, we will also share some relevant photos which were previously known to exist, so some of the photos included at the beginning of this blog post may look familiar.
The Jordan Craner family patriarch, Nicholas Craner, was a clothier (one who makes or sells clothing) who owned a tailor shop on the north side of Clinton Street in the village of Jordan, just west of what is today known as the 3-story, brick Hendricks Block located on the northwest corner of Clinton Street and North Main Street. According to early census records (which do not always agree, see below), Nicholas Craner was born in France or Germany. His father, Francis Craner, was born in France. Nicholas and his family members played a very influential role in the early history of the village of Jordan, over several generations. Nicholas Craner's customers were men, not women. At that time, business advertisements for such shops would often refer to their products as "gents' furnishings" (see sample ad below). During Nicholas' time in Jordan, the Erie Canal was in full swing, Jordan was an affluent boom town, and the gentlemen of the village who could afford to do so dressed very stylishly. Nicholas was able to provide his male customers with all the latest clothing styles and accessories. In later years, the tailor shop was owned and run by Nicholas' son, Harry Nicholas Craner (1878-1963, age 84).
In 1851, at age 24, Nicholas married Elsie C. Babcock (1832-1860, age 28). Nicholas and Elsie had 2 children (Ella and Royal). Sadly, Elsie passed away before reaching the age of 30. Then in 1861, at age 34, Nicholas married Elsie's younger sister, Mary Sophia Babcock. Nicholas and Mary had 10 children (Sidney, Jessie, Clara, Emma, Lucius, Charles, Marian, Harry, James, and Florence). Sidney and Jessie died as children, and Clara died in 1988 at age 22.
ABOVE PHOTO: April 1889. Craner family portrait. FRONT ROW (L to R): Royal, James, Mary, Florence, Nicholas, Harry, Emma; BACK ROW (L to R): Ella, Lucius, Marian, Charles.
In April 1889, the Craner family had a family portrait photograph taken. In this photo (above), in addition to Nicholas and his second wife, Mary (both seated at center), also included are Nicholas' two oldest children from his first marriage (Royal and Ella) at far left, as well as Nicholas' and Mary's 7 surviving children. In his lap, Nicholas holds a Syracuse newspaper. In his wife Mary's lap, she is holding a photo of a young woman, which is very likely a photo of their young daughter, Clara, who had passed away just over one year earlier, on May 1, 1888, at age 22, after being sick for one year with consumption.
Nicholas' and Mary's son, Lucius Johnson Francis Craner (known as "L.J.F. Craner" by residents of the village) was Mayor of Jordan from 1927 to 1937. Lucius died in 1969, at the age of 98. (Lucius is standing in the center of the family portrait above.)
Elsie Babcock's and Mary Sophia Babcock's grandfather, Jonathan Rowley, was one of the first European settlers in the newly formed small hamlet of Jordan, in around 1797. People of European descent had already started to settle in the hamlet of Elbridge, beginning in around 1793. Both Jordan and Elbridge were settled in large part due to the available water power provided by the Skaneateles Creek (then referred to as the "Skaneateles Outlet"), which helped to power the earliest mills. Before the Jordan White Mill was built in 1812, early Jordan resident Jonathan Rowley walked 9 miles to the closest mill, located in Skaneateles, to have his wheat ground into flour.
ABOVE PHOTO: Looking northwest. This photo shows the 4-story, brick Munroe Block, built circa 1846, which once stood on the northwest corner of Clinton Street and North Main Street. To the left of the Munroe Block is the original 3-story, wood-frame Craner tailor shop. There is an external staircase on the east side of the building leading to a door on the second floor. On the Munroe Block, there are signs saying: "Boots & Shoes," "Photographs," "Printing Office," "A. F. Tracy" (the jeweler on the corner), "Dry Goods, Groceries, Crockery, Boots & Shoes," and "Drugs and Books." At right is the 3-story brick Case Block, in which Alonzo Case had his law office, and William Van Valkenburgh had his tailor shop (with a sign saying "Wm. V. Valkenburgh, Tailor"). In more recent years (circa 1940's-1960's), the Case Block was known as the Jordan Locker Plant, managed by Reid Filkins, where families rented lockers to store frozen meats before home freezers became widespread. Two doors down from the Case Block is the 2-story brick building which is known today as the Bush Funeral Home. In its earlier days, the Bush building was a marble shop. The Craner building and the Munroe Block were both destroyed by fire on October 16, 1876. The Case Block was demolished in April 1987.
ABOVE PHOTO: Looking southwest toward the North Main Street Bridge over the Erie Canal. At far left is the 3-story brick Davis Block (also known as the Spot Cash House), with a sign painted on the north wall saying "Boots Shoes & Groceries." At center is the 4-story brick Munroe Block, with 3 successive signs which read "Jordan Transcript & Book & Job Printing Office." (The Jordan Transcript was a newspaper, with offices on the 2nd story of the Munroe Block, which was published by Nathan Burrell, Jr., from the mid to late 1800's.) To the right of the Munroe Block is the rear of the 3-story, wood-frame Craner Block, with the letters "N. CRANER" visible on the upper part of the building. The Davis Block, Munroe Block, and Craner Block each had basement-level entrances on the heelpath side of the Erie Canal. Visible at far right is a portion of the sign for the "Canal-Stable," where Erie Canal horse and mule teams were temporarily kept to be swapped out with other teams who were due for a rest.
ABOVE PHOTO: Looking southwest from the North Main Street bridge over the Erie Canal toward the rear of Nicholas Craner's second building which housed his clothier shop. The rear of the basement level opened out onto the heelpath side of the Erie Canal. The corner of the brick Hendricks Block, which still stands today on the northwest corner of Clinton Street and North Main Street, is visible at left.
ABOVE PHOTO: Looking southwest. Early Spring 1898. Another view of the rear of the second Craner Block. This photograph was taken during the winter, during which the water was drained from the Erie Canal. Necessary repairs could be made to the stone walls during the winter off season. Signs visible in this photograph read: Bakery, Telegraph (small sign on corner of building), and Clothing, Furnishing Goods, etc. A man is looking out of the window from inside the Craner Block. The photographer was standing under the North Main Street bridge over the Erie Canal, and the cables of the bridge are visible at the top of the photo. The brick Hendricks Block is at left. The warehouse which is partially visible at far right still stands today and has been converted into a private residence.
ABOVE PHOTO: Looking northwest at the 3-story, wood-frame Craner Block at left, and the 2-story, brick Hendricks Block at right. The front of the awning at right says "Williams & Allen. Although it's difficult to make out, it appears that the top of the awning says "Smokes."
ABOVE PHOTO: Another view looking northwest, with the Craner Block in the center, and the Hendricks Block in the foreground at right. There are signs saying: "Syracuse Ice Cream," "Long Distance Telephone" (the Bell System logo), and "Boots & Shoes Made & Repaired, Upstairs." The tall vertical pole visible at far right is the "Liberty Pole."
ABOVE PHOTO: Looking north. The former Craner Block, circa 1980. This photograph was included with the paperwork submitted in the early 1980's to the NY State Parks & Recreation Division for Historic Preservation, as part of the Village's successful application to have the Jordan Village Historic District listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The descriptive text which accompanied this photo read as follows: "First story store-fronts have been altered with the addition of entries; most window sashes have been replaced. Shingle siding has been added to entire exterior. Structure is located on the south bank of the old Erie Canal. Building is located on a side street, near the main intersection of the proposed historic district. This is an Italianate Style commercial building of simple detail and modest proportion. Paired brackets support the roof cornice; decorative 'scalloping' in the frieze area; first floor cornice has paired and plain modillion brackets; window heads are pedimented and detailed; 2 three-corner bays adorn the second story. The architectural style and detail is common to this area and to the village. This was originally a large men's and women's tailoring business. The business prospered and was important to the Town of Elbridge as well as Jordan Village."
ABOVE PHOTO: Looking northeast. The former Craner Block, 1987. By this time, the boarded-up building had become mostly abandoned, and it was eventually torn down, as was the small 2-story, wood-frame, former shop to the left of it. The 2-story, brick Hendricks Block on the corner still stands today, as does the Lyons National Bank building, partially visible at far right. (Buhl Collection)
ABOVE PHOTO: 1889. Nicholas and Mary Craner's son, Lucius Johnson Francis ("L.J.F.") Craner, age 18.
ABOVE PHOTO: Inside the Craner Clothier Shop, looking south (toward the front door on Clinton Street). Nicholas and Mary Craner's son, Harry Craner, is 2nd from left.
ABOVE PHOTO: November 24, 1898. Inside the Craner Clothier Shop. 20-year-old Harry Nicholas Craner (1878-1964) at left, L. N. Somes at right. In the upper right-hand corner is a sign reading "Smithmade Suspenders."
ABOVE IMAGE: March 13, 1890, The Weekly Times, Jordan, NY. Advertisement for Nicholas Craner's "Gents' Furnishing Goods."
ABOVE PHOTO: Looking southeast on North Main Street, circa 1890. In this photo are two of Nicholas and Mary Craner's sons with a horse and carriage: Lucius Johnson Francis Craner (1871-1969, age 98) at left, and Charles Mitchell Craner (1874-1956, age 82) at right. Lucius, who was often referred to simply by his initials as "L.J.F.," later became Mayor of the Village of Jordan (from 1927 to 1937), and Charles became a dentist. Lucius' grandfather (Nicholas' father) was named Francis Craner, so that is the likely origin of one of his middle names. In the background of this photo is the former Graves residence, which was the home just north of what later (in 1913) became the Craner family home at 20 North Main Street. Today, Saint Patrick's Roman Catholic Church is on the site of the former Graves house.
ABOVE PHOTO: Looking southeast. June 24, 1891. LEFT TO RIGHT: Edith Lewis Craner (daughter of Alfred D. and Gertrude Lewis, and future wife of Lucius J. F. Craner), Grace Tyler, Hattie Howard, Marian Craner Ivory (daughter of Nicholas and Mary Craner). This photo was taken on the front lawn of what is today 42 North Main Street, which was Edith's childhood home.
ABOVE PHOTO: Circa 1968. LEFT TO RIGHT: Lucius J. F. Craner (1871-1969, age 98), (Eunice) Jean Sharp Knobloch (1920-2009, age 89), Bessie Eunice Hayes Sharp (Jean's mother, 1891-1976, age 85), and Marian Craner Ivory (Lucius' sister, 1875-1978, age 103). Both Lucius and his sister, Marian, lived well past the age of 90. Note Lucius' larger than average ears. Compare this photo with the 3 photos above of young Lucius and young Marian.
ABOVE IMAGE: In this 1850 US Census record for the Town of Hastings in Oswego County, New York, 23-year-old Nicholas Craner is listed, along with his 49-year-old father, Francis, his father's 2nd of 3 wives (and Nicholas' stepmother), 38-year-old Nancy, and Nicholas' 5 siblings: John, Anthony, Francis W., Margarett (or Margarete), and Mary. Francis Craner's 1st of 3 wives, Barbara Craner (circa 1801-1837, age 36), was the mother of Nicholas and his older brother, John. Francis Craner's occupation is listed as "farmer." The 3 oldest sons, including Nicholas, apparently helped out their father on the farm. In the 1865 and 1880 census records (which are not included here), Francis Craner's occupation is listed as "Tailor." France is noted as the place of birth for Nicholas and his older brother, John, and also for their father, Francis. This place of birth for Francis and Nicholas conflicts with information reported in the 1900 US Census record (see below), which lists their place of birth as Germany. Nicholas' stepmother, Nancy, and the 4 youngest siblings, were born in the state of New York.
ABOVE IMAGE: In this 1900 US Census record for the Village of Jordan, Germany is listed as the place of birth for Nicholas Craner, and for both of his parents, which conflicts with the place of birth given for Nicholas Craner and his father, Francis, in the 1850 US Census record (see above). In this census record, the occupation of 72-year-old Nicholas Craner is listed as "Tailor." His second wife, Mary, is 55 years old. Four of their unmarried younger children are living with them: 31-year-old daughter Emma Craner, whose occupation is listed as "Book-keeper-store;" 26-year-old son Charles M. Craner, whose occupation is listed as "Book Keeper-Grist Mill;" 25-year-old daughter Marian Craner, whose occupation is listed as "Musician;" and 21-year-old son Harry M. Craner, who is listed as "At School."
The "Lost" Craner Family Photos
We are thrilled to share, for the first time, this extraordinary collection of "lost" photographs of the extended Craner family members. As mentioned above, it is very unlikely that any of these photographs have ever been seen by anyone alive today. There are a total of 29 images. Known individuals pictured in the photographs below include the following family members:
- Nicholas Craner (1827-1907, age 80)—the family patriarch
- Lucius Johnson Francis ("L.J.F.") Craner (1871-1969, age 98)—Nicholas' son
- Harry Nicholas Craner (1878-1963, age 84)—Nicholas' son
- Edith Lewis Craner (1873-1953, age 80)—Lucius' wife
- Alfred Dennison ("A.D.") Lewis (1844-1924, age 80)—Edith's father
- Gertrude Auyer Lewis (1850-1943, age 92)—Edith's mother and Alfred's wife
- Betsey Curtiss Auyer (1825-1914, age 88)—Gertrude's mother
- Minerva Rebecca Lewis Westcott Sloan (1818-1907, age 89)—Alfred's mother
- Vivus Lewis ("Pete") Craner (1897-1980, age 83)—Lucius and Edith Craner's only child
ABOVE PHOTO: Harry Craner. The inscription on the reverse of this photo gives an approximate date: "about 1900?" Harry would have been about 22 years old in the year 1900.
ABOVE PHOTO: Lucius Craner. Lucius looks to be about 30 years old in this photo, which means the photo may have been taken around 1901 or so.
ABOVE PHOTO: LEFT TO RIGHT: Gertrude Auyer Lewis, Betsey Auyer, Vivus ("Pete") Craner, Edith Lewis Craner. This photograph—which includes family members from 4 different generations—was taken in front of the Craner home at 20 North Main Street. This house had been recently purchased (on April 18, 1913)—with the entire contents included—by the 3 women in this photograph from Samuel Newell Wood, who had inherited the house from his sister, Franc(es) Wood Otis, after she and her husband, Isaac Coonley Otis, both passed away in the Spring of 1912, within 5 weeks of each other. In April 1913, Pete Craner would have been 16 years old.
ABOVE PHOTO: Circa 1873. Edith Lewis in a carriage.
ABOVE PHOTO: Circa 1876. Edith Lewis in front of her childhood home, located at 42 North Main Street.
ABOVE PHOTO: Alfred D. Lewis, Edith's father.
ABOVE PHOTO: November 1900. LEFT TO RIGHT: Alfred D. Lewis (Edith's father), Edith Lewis Craner (rear), Vivus ("Pete") Craner (front), Minerva Lewis Westcott Sloan (Alfred's mother). This photograph includes family members from 4 different generations.
ABOVE PHOTO: This photo appears to have been taken on the same day as the previous photo. Inscription on reverse: "Mrs. Minerva R. Westcott: aged 82 years. Vivus L. Craner, 3½ years. Taken Nov. 1900." Minerva was Vivus ("Pete") Craner's great-grandmother.
ABOVE PHOTO: The inscription on the reverse of this photo identifies the date (February 1896) and the two people in the photo: Nicholas Craner (at left) and Charles Rodger (at right). It's quite possible that the Charles Rodger in this photo is the son of William Clark Rodger, Charles Hollis Rodger (1873-1961, age 88), who would have been 22 years old in February 1896. This photograph was taken in front of Nicholas Craner's tailor shop on Clinton Street. Note the striped awning, which is folded up above the shop window. The brick Hendricks Block, which still stands today, is visible at far right.
ABOVE PHOTO: 1901. Pete Craner (age 4) with an unknown young girl, 2 dogs, and a bicycle. This photograph was taken in front of Nicholas Craner's tailor shop on Clinton Street.
ABOVE PHOTO: 1901. Pete Craner (age 4) with an unknown young girl, 2 dogs, and a bicycle. This photograph was taken in front of Nicholas Craner's tailor shop on Clinton Street.
ABOVE PHOTO: 1901. Pete Craner (age 4) with a dog and a bicycle. This photograph was taken in front of Nicholas Craner's tailor shop on Clinton Street.
ABOVE PHOTO: 1902. Pete Craner (age 5) with 2 unknown young girls, a doll carriage, and a bicycle. This photograph was taken in front of Nicholas Craner's tailor shop on Clinton Street. The brick Hendricks Block, which still stands today, is visible at right.
ABOVE PHOTO: 1903. Pete Craner (age 6) with 2 bicycles. This photograph was taken in front of Nicholas Craner's tailor shop on Clinton Street.
ABOVE PHOTO: 1903. Pete Craner (age 6) with a dog and a bicycle. This photograph was taken in front of Nicholas Craner's tailor shop on Clinton Street.
ABOVE PHOTO: Year unknown. Pete Craner with a dog. This photograph was taken inside Nicholas Craner's tailor shop on Clinton Street.
ABOVE PHOTO: Year unknown. Pete Craner with a bicycle. This photograph was taken inside Nicholas Craner's tailor shop on Clinton Street.
ABOVE PHOTO: 1903. Pete Craner (age 6) with his grandfather, Nicholas Craner (age 75), an unknown young girl, and a group of chickens.
ABOVE PHOTO: Year unknown. Pete Craner with a group of chickens.
ABOVE PHOTO: Year unknown. Pete Craner with a group of chickens.
ABOVE PHOTO: Year unknown. Pete Craner with a derby hat and a pipe, inside a home which is most likely the house in which Pete's mother grew up, located at 42 North Main Street.
ABOVE PHOTO: Year unknown. Pete Craner with a derby hat and a pipe, inside a home which is most likely the house in which Pete's mother grew up, located at 42 North Main Street.
ABOVE PHOTO: Year unknown. Pete Craner with a derby hat and a travel bag, inside a home which is most likely the house in which Pete's mother grew up, located at 42 North Main Street.
ABOVE PHOTO: 1905. Pete Craner (age 8) with drumsticks and a drum, inside a home which is most likely the house in which Pete's mother grew up, located at 42 North Main Street.
ABOVE PHOTO: 1905. Pete Craner (age 8) with his grandfather, Nicholas Craner (age 77), inside a home which is most likely the house in which Pete's mother grew up, located at 42 North Main Street.
ABOVE PHOTO: 1908. Pete Craner (age 11) with a dog and a wagon. Location unknown.
ABOVE PHOTO: Year and location unknown. An unknown young child (possibly Pete Craner) with a dog and an unknown man.
ABOVE PHOTO: Year unknown. Pete Craner.
ABOVE PHOTO: Year unknown. Two unknown young girls and an unknown young boy. Presumably, these 3 young children are related in some way to the Craner and/or Lewis families, since this photograph was included in the box with the collection of "lost" Craner family photos. Does anyone recognize these 3 young children?