CRANE, ORRIN J. (1828-27 Nov. 1863), a volunteer CIVIL WAR Army officer, was born in Troy, N.Y. and at the war's outbreak was employed as a carpenter for a Cleveland shipbuilder. He enlisted on 17 Apr. 1861 as a private, was elected 1st lieutenant when his company became Co. A, 7th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was appointed captain on 14 May 1861. He learned the rudiments of military science from Col. WM. R. CREIGHTON† and excelled in supervising the building of bridges, barracks, and corduroy roads. He participated in the campaigns of the Army of the Potomac in Virginia during 1862-63.

Crane was promoted to lieutenant colonel on 6 Oct. 1862 and commanded the 7th Ohio on 27 Nov. 1863 when ordered to assault Taylor's Ridge, a 500-ft. summit near Ringgold, Ga., being forced to move through a ravine where the brigade was mauled by enfilading Confederate fire. The brigade failed to occupy the summit, suffering heavy casualties. Crane was killed near the top. Col. Creighton tried retrieve Crane's body but failed and was himself mortally wounded. Both Crane's and Creighton's remains were transported back to Cleveland, where they lay in state at City Hall. After a memorial service at the Old Stone Church, where Crane was a member, both were deposited in ERIE ST. CEMETERY in the Bradburn family vault. Thousands of citizens lined the street for the procession. In July 1864, both bodies were buried in WOODLAND CEMETERY, side by side.

Orrin J Crane