Charles Henry Crandall was born in the town of Warren, Herkimer county, New York, on April 29, 1876, his parents being Frank L. and Margaret (Cadwell) Crandall. Frank L. Crandall, a farmer by occupation, was born at Williamstown, New York, and died in Amsterdam, New York, on August 6, 1907, at the age of fifty-eight years. Margaret (Cadwell) Crandall was born in Otsego county, New York, on March 1, 1853, and is now living in Ilion, New York, aged seventy-one years. She is the daughter of John and Sarah Cadwell. John S. Cadwell died at Ilion, on July 12, 1906, at the age of ninety-six.
Charles H. Crandall received his early education in the district school in the town of Stark, New York, then worked on the farm for two years. At the age of fourteen he found employment with William Horricks in Herkimer, New York, and remained one year, after which he went with the Gem Knitting Company in the same city and served as a knitter for four years. He then went to Utica, New York, and repaired sewing machines for over two years in the mill of the Capron Knitting Company, after which he engaged in the retail liquor business in Herkimer until 1915, then both wholesaled and retailed liquor until July 1, 1919. In that year he formed a partnership with George Wilkinson and erected a building on Green street, Herkimer, where they conducted a wholesale and retail flour and feed business under the name of the Acorn Grain & Milling Company. On February 1, 1923, Mr. Crandall bought out Mr. Wilkinson's interest and has conducted it under the same name since that time.
On February 26, 1896, in Herkimer, New York, Mr. Crandall was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Anderson, daughter of James and Caroline Anderson. She was born in Campbellford, Canada, on September 25, 1876. James Anderson was born in Scotland, the land of the crag and the glen, and died in Herkimer, in June, 1922, at the age of ninety-four years. He was a carpenter and builder by trade. His wife died in Herkimer in 1917. Mrs. Crandall is a member of the Reformed church in Herkimer, and her political preferences are with the republican party. Mr. and Mrs. Crandall have two children: Charles Edward Crandall was born in Herkimer, on July 14, 1901, and was graduated from Herkimer high school, class of 1920. He then entered Colgate College at Hamilton, New York, for one and one-half years and is now associated with his father in business; Margaret Hazel Crandall was born in Herkimer, on November 25, 1902. After graduating at Herkimer high school she entered Syracuse University, from which she was graduated in 1923, with the A. B. degree. In 1924 she taught in the high school at Dexter, New York.
During the World war Mr. Crandall took an active interest in the Liberty Loan and Red Cross drives, being captain for one district for Liberty Loan and War Chest drives. He was chief of the Volunteer Fire Department for three years, 1904-1906, and also member of the Hook and Ladder Company of Herkimer. He is now state committeeman for Herkimer county, being elected in April, 1924, to serve until September, 1926. He holds memberships in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Down and Out Club, all of Herkimer. He attends the Dutch Reformed church and his political affiliations are with the republican party. His chief diversion is fishing. Mr. Crandall is ever ready to extend a helping hand to those who try to aid themselves, and has many friends in the community where he makes his home.