An Illustrated History of the State of Washington, by Rev. H.K. Hines, D.D., The
Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago, IL. 1893

THOMAS CRANNEY, a prominent citizen of Island county, Washington, was born in
New Brunswick, June 11, 1830, a son of Martin and Ann (Waddleton) Cranney. His
father was the proprietor of a large mercantile establishment and was also
Inspector of Customs for the Government. Thomas assisted his father in both
commercial and official duties, the two working together until 1850. Martin
Cranney then resolved to see the West, and carrying this resolution into effect
he and his son started for California, leaving the other members of the family
in New Brunswick. They made the trip via Cape Horn, and, arriving in the Golden
State, at once began work in the mines. This occupation did not prove agreeable
to the father, and he soon became ill, and concluded to return to New Brunswick.
Thomas Cranney continued his search for gold until 1853, when he left California
and came northward to Puget Sound. In 1854 he located on Whidby island at
Coveland, and opened a general stock of merchandise, and also did a small lumber
business. In 1858 he went to Utsaladdy, Washington, and there built the first
mill erected on Camano island. He also embarked extensively in the fishery
business, and the  following year disposed of his interests in Coveland. He now
devotes his entire time and attention to the fishery and lumbering industries,
carrying on the business with a partner until 1869; he was then alone until
1876, and for three years subsequent to that date was variously occupied. In
1879 he removed to Coupeville, Whidby island, where he has since resided. Mr.
Cranney has been prominently connected with the political history of the
country, and has discharged his duties as a public officer with a marked
executive ability and promptitude that have won the entire confidence of his
constituency. He has held the office of Postmaster, Justice of the Peace, County
Commissioner, Auditor, Clerk of the Court, and in 1871 was a member of the upper
house of the Legislature, Joint Representative from Snohomish and Island
counties. In 1880 and 1890 he was Census Enumerator for the United States Census
Department. He is a member of Stanwood Lodge No. 19, A.F. & A.M., and is Past
Deputy Grand Master of this jurisdiction. Mr. Cranney was married December 25,
1859, to Sarah E. Coupe, a native of New York, born April 20, 1841. Her father,
Captain T. Coupe, was the founder of Coupeville, having taken the site as a
donation claim in an early day. The Captain was born in 1818, and died in 1670;
he married Maria White, who was born in 1816, and died in 1889. They were
married at Boston, Massachusetts, in 1840. From early youth the Captain followed
the sea, and for many years was Captain of a vessel. In 1849 he came with his
family to the Pacific coast, making the voyage via the Straits of Magellan. For
several years he owned and operated a vessel between San Francisco and the
Sound. He served as pilot on the revenue cutter, Jeff. Davis, which was
afterward owned by Thomas Cranney, who loaded it with piles and lumber and sent
it to China, where it was sold. Captain Coupe built the first frame house
erected on Whidby island. Mr. and Mrs. Cranney are the parents of a family of
seven living children: Mrs. Mary A. Clapp, Mrs. Alinda T. Empy, Mrs. Ida M.
Newberry, Flora E., Leila E., Sena Loleta and M.F.

Submitted to the WA. Bios Project in January 2004 by Jeffrey L. Elmer

* * * *

Notice: These biographies were transcribed for the Washington Biographies
Project. Unless otherwise stated, no further information is available on the
individual featured in the biographies.