Durham, N. N.  "Spokane and the Inland Empire: History of the City of Spokane
and Spokane County Washington."  Vol. 2.  S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1912.

GEORGE T. CRANE

	George T. Crane, president of the Crane Shoe Company, follows well
formulated plans in the conduct of his business and meets every emergency that
arises with a resourcefulness that enables him to conquer difficulties and bring
to successful conclusion whatever he undertakes. His birth occurred in Cascade,
Dubuque county, Iowa, September 8, 185-i, his parents being Peter F. and Nancy
(Elliott) Crane. His parents were pioneers of Iowa to which state they had
removed from Batavia, New York. During his youthful days George T. Crane was a
pupil in the public schools of his native county and then, seeking the broader
business opportunities of the city, made his way to Chicago, obtaining
employment in the wholesale house of Benham, Trumbull & Company, with whom he
remained until 1882. Thinking to find still better advantages in the west where
competition was not yet so great and where rapid development offered an
excellent field, he came to Spokane and established a hardware store on Howard
street, between Front and Main avenues, conducting his enterprise under the firm
name of George T. Crane & Company until 1884. On the discovery of gold in the
Coeur d'Alene district he disposed of his mercantile interests and went to the
mines in the vicinity of Murray, Idaho, where he engaged in placer mining
through the summer. He became convinced, however, that his fortune was not to be
made in that field and returning to Spokane he again entered commercial circles
by purchasing an interest in the firm of Taylor & Sharkey, dealers in
agricultural implements, with whom he remained for about two years. On the
opening of the Wardner camp he made his way there and in partnership with E. C.
Gove established a general mercantile store, opening with the first stock of
goods in the camp. The business was conducted under the firm style of Gove &
Crane until 1892 when the junior partner sold out and went to Rossland, British
Columbia, being there at the opening of that camp. In partnership with Frank C.
Loring and F. E. Snodgrass he purchased and developed the Josie mine, afterward
selling out to the British syndicate that purchased and consolidated many mines
in that district. Their old mine is now known as the Le Roi No. 2. 
	Mr. Crane returned to Spokane in 1896 and purchased an interest in the shoe
store of Henry Hill, afterward organizing a stock company under the name of the
Hill Shoe Company, of which he became president. In 1898 their store was removed
from its original location at the corner of Sprague and Howard streets to 519
Riverside Avenue, where the business has since been conducted. In 1903 Mr. Crane
purchased the Hill interests and changed the name to the Crane Shoe Company,
being today at the head of the largest and finest retail shoe store in the
northwest. The business has constantly expanded until the volume of trade is now
most gratifying and the reputation of the house is unassailable. 
	In his home life Mr. Crane finds the enjoyment which constitutes an even
balance to his various business cares and responsibilities. He was married
August 31, 1876, at Ottawa, Kansas, to Miss Margaret Wright, of that place, and
they now have two sons and a daughter: Earl B. and Frank G., who are identified
with their father in business ; and Marguerite, the wife of John G. MacDonnell,
of Boston, Massachusetts. Mrs. Crane was a daughter of William and Rose
(McKittrick) Wright, of Ottawa, Kansas. Mr. and Mrs. Crane now reside at No. 817
South Adams street, where he built a pleasant residence about four years ago.
They are prominent members of the Christian Science church in which Mr. Crane
has served as a trustee for several years. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity
and in Oriental Consistory, No. 2, S. P. R. S., he has attained the thirty-
second degree. He has also been more or less active in politics, recognizing the
duties and obligations as well as the privileges of citizenship. His views
accord with the prinicples of the republican party and in 1884 he was elected
upon that ticket to the city council. Through the succeeding years he was a
member of the Spokane school board and in 1907-08 represented his district in
the state legislature. He is a statesman with an eye to practical results and
not glittering generalities. His party fealty is not grounded on personal
prejudice. He is thoroughly familiar with the great issues which divide the two
parties that have roots extending down to the very bedrock foundation of the
republic. He has also studied the lessons of life and has arrived at his own
conclusions, the result of which may be called his post-graduate studies in the
school of affairs. Such men, either in office or out, are the natural leaders of
whichever party they may be identified with, especially in that movement toward
better politics which is common to both parties and which constitutes the most
hopeful political sign of the period.

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Submitted to the Washington Biographies Project in November 2016 by Diane Wright. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family 
mentioned above.