

      <p class="gc1">While Cooperstown observes its 75th anniversary this year, 
		a Griggs County concern is laying plans for a similar observance in 
		1958.</p>
      <p class="gc1">Crane-Johnson Company, one of the oldest operating 
		business places in Griggs County had its modest beginning back in March 
		1883, several months before the railroad came to this central Griggs 
		town.</p>
      <p class="gc1">Noting the demand for lumber and building supplies which 
		at that date had to be hauled from Valley City or Sanborn, Maynard Crane 
		brought into existence the parent concern which now is known as the 
		Crane-Johnson Company, Inc.</p>
      <p class="gc1">Crane operated the lumber plant alone for almost a decade. 
		In 1887, however, he employed a farmer settler from southern Nelson 
		County, John E. Johnson, whose interest in the business was no whit less 
		than Crane's. In 1896 Johnson became a partner in the business and the 
		company reorganized under the firm name of Crane and Johnson.</p>
      <p class="gc1">The boom period of Cooperstown along with the demands of 
		home-building settlers created a volume of business that soon caused the 
		concern to expand even further. In 1890 a yard was established at 
		Hannaford under the managership of Archie Sinclair. With the extension 
		of the railroad to McHenry a third plant was set up there in 1902. Two 
		years later F. C. Potter, a farm lad from Sanborn, was given the 
		manager's job at McHenry.</p>
      <p class="gc1">He exhibited remarkable managerial ability at McHenry and 
		three years later he was shifted to Cooperstown. In 1914 he became 
		general manager of the corporation which has been organized as such in 
		1903. He held the post of general manager until his death in 1935, 
		having in the meantime been also named as vice-president following the 
		death of John E. Johnson, one of the original partners.</p>
      <p class="gc1">During the quarter century preceding 1932 the company 
		expanded its operations to include yards in many other communities. The 
		general office was also moved to Fargo.</p>
      <p class="gc1">Ben Fink is local manager while F. E. Carpenter operates 
		the Sutton yard and Paul Vance the Hannaford branch.</p>
      <p class="gc1">H. H. Swingen of Hannaford, who is now retired, served as 
		manager there for forty two years. He is also a director on the board.</p>
      <p class="source">Source:&nbsp; Cooperstown Diamond Jubilee 1882-1957 Page 
		30</p>

      
</div><!-- /// work_area /// -->
</body>
</html>