Leroy Bowers Crane
Leroy Bowers Crane | |
|---|---|
Crane, c. 1870s–1880s | |
| Member of the New York State Assembly from the 23rd district | |
| In office 1882–1883 | |
| Preceded by | Charles W. Dayton |
| Succeeded by | Daniel M. Van Cott |
| Personal details | |
| Born | June 9, 1849 Lowell, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Died | May 15, 1916 (aged 66) Schroon Lake, New York, U.S. |
| Resting place | Kensico Cemetery |
| Party | Republican |
| Spouse | Louise B. |
| Children | 5 |
| Occupation |
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| Signature | |
Leroy Bowers Crane (June 9, 1849 – May 15, 1916) was an American politician and magistrate from New York. He served in the New York State Assembly from 1882 to 1883 and was a magistrate of New York City from 1895 to 1911.
Early life
Leroy Bowers Crane[1] was born on June 9, 1849, in Lowell, Massachusetts.[2][3] He attended common schools in Lowell.[3] At the age of 12, he with his father served in the 6th Massachusetts Militia Regiment.[2][4]
In 1865, Crane moved to New York City and worked as an errand boy for H.B. Claflin & Company. He remained there until he began the study of law in 1870.[2] He was later admitted to the bar.[2]
Career
Crane was a Republican. From 1882 to 1883, he served two terms in the New York State Assembly, representing Harlem and the 23rd district.[2][4] He was a member of the canals and public health committees.[3] He helped pass the elevated railroad five cent fare bill which was later vetoed by Governor Grover Cleveland.[2] In 1883, he lost his re-election to Democratic candidate Daniel M. Van Cott.[5] In 1884, he ran on an independent ticket and was endorsed by Theodore Roosevelt.[6][7] He lost the election to Jacob A. Cantor.[8]
Crane was president of the Sugar Coated Yeast Company. It had a big plant on upper Second Avenue.[2]
On July 1, 1895, Crane was appointed by mayor William Lafayette Strong as magistrate.[2] He served on the West Side Court. In 1906, he was criticized by the appellate division for committing Joseph A. Farley, a real estate dealer, to prison without any warrant, but the case did not come to trial.[1] From 1909 to 1911, he left the bench due to illness. Due to his inability to serve during his illness, he retired from the bench.[1] During his tenure on the bench, he criticized mayor George B. McClellan Jr. He remarked about McClellan and the Sharkey Athletic Club, "if we had a real mayor in the City Hall with a little brain and backbone instead of the little man now there, these clubs could not exist. But with that little man there, the politicians have a hold on everything and their pull controls the city".[1] He also remarked that Theodore A. Bingham was the best commissioner the city has had, but that politicians hedged his efforts.[1] In 1912, he was mentioned as a potential Republican candidate for mayor of New York City.[4]
Personal life
Crane married Louise B. They had a son and four daughters, including Clara L., Mrs. A. J. Dueth, Mrs. E. R. MacKenzie, and Mrs. P. H. Parry.[1][2]
Crane died on May 15, 1916, at his summer home on Schroon Lake, New York.[2][4] He was buried in Kensico Cemetery.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g "Ex-Magistrate Crane Dies". The New York Times. May 16, 1916. p. 13. Retrieved January 14, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "L. B. Crane Dies; Ill Seven Years". The Sun. May 16, 1916. p. 7. Retrieved January 14, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c The Public Service of the State of New York During the Administration of Alonzo B. Cornell. Vol. 2. James R. Osgood and Company. 1882. p. 327. Retrieved January 18, 2026 – via Archive.org.
- ^ a b c d "Leroy B. Crane Dead". The Brooklyn Daily Times. May 16, 1916. p. 4. Retrieved January 14, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "The Election in New York". The Sun. November 8, 1883. p. 1. Retrieved January 14, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Twenty-Third District". New-York Tribune. October 11, 1884. p. 2. Retrieved January 14, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Closing Campaign Work". The New York Times. November 3, 1884. p. 8. Retrieved January 14, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Official Vote of New-York City". New-York Tribune. November 20, 1884. p. 2. Retrieved January 14, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
External links
- Media related to Leroy Bowers Crane at Wikimedia Commons