From "HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY,"  Vol. I, pages 256-258.
Brant & Fuller, 1890.


GIBSON L. CRANMER

Gibson L. Cranmer, the subject of this biographical sketch, was born 
in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he resided until he reached his 
seventeenth year, when he came to Wheeling, Va., now West Virginia, 
and entered upon the study of law with his relative, Daniel Lamb, 
Esq.  His father, Dr. John Cranmer, was at the time of his death 
(which occurred during the cholera epidemic of 1833), the oldest 
practicing physician in Cincinnati.  His death resulted from overwork 
in his profession during the prevalence of the cholera in that city.  
Our subject remained in Wheeling, devoting eighteen months to the 
study of his chosen profession, at the expiration of which time he 
located at Springfield, Ill., where he formed a partnership with 
Antoine Campbell, Esq., in the practice of law.  Within a year 
thereafter, with the approval of his partner, he entered into a 
partnership with James C. Conkling, Esq., of the same city, in which, 
together with the practice of law, they combined the real estate 
business. The latter business demanded his constant attention.  
During the summer and fall seasons he was engaged in hunting up 
lands, describing their topographical location, etc.  During the 
winter and spring months he was engaged in the payment of taxes.  At 
this period there were no railroads in Illinois, and the country was 
sparsely settled.  All of his traveling was done on horseback, and he 
was necessarily absent from his home for weeks and months at a time.  
When at home he traveled the circuit, attending court in company with 
Abraham Lincoln, Stephen A. Douglas, Judge Logan and others, the 
most, if not all, of whom have since passed away.  On the 29nd day of 
May, 1849, he was married to Miss Oella Zane, the daughter of the 
late Daniel Zane, at Wheeling.  Upon returning to his home at 
Springfield, his wife suffered from an attack of inflammatory 
rheumatism, from the effects of which she was confined to her bed for 
several months.  Upon her recovery the attending physician advised a 
change of climate for her, and in  accordance with this advice Judge 
Cranmer returned to Wheeling, where he located permanently and has 
since continued to reside.  In the spring Of 1855 he was nominated by 
the American party as one of the representatives of Ohio county in 
the Virginia legislature, and was elected by a large majority.  When 
the state of Virginia seceded from the Union he was a member of the 
Popular convention which met at Wheeling in May, 1861, to deliberate 
and take such steps as might be deemed advisable to keep the western 
portion of the state in the Union, and was by that body elected one 
of its secretaries.  After the adjournment of the above mentioned 
convention a new convention was called to meet at Wheeling, on June 
11, 1861.  Of this convention he was also chosen secretary.  Among 
other proceedings of this body was the reorganization of the 
government of Virginia.  Provision was also made for the election of 
members to the legislature and a time fixed for the meeting of the 
same.  When it convened he was unanimously elected clerk of the house 
of delegates, which position he continued to hold until the state of 
West Virginia was admitted into the Union.  He was also appointed by 
the governor to represent the state of West Virginia on the board of 
directors of the Antietam National Cemetery association, of which 
body he was subsequently chosen president.  In addition to the 
offices named he has also held a number of other positions of trust 
and honor, among which we may mention that of attorney for the city 
of Wheeling, a member of the city council and judge of the municipal 
court of the city of Wheeling, which last position he held for the 
period of eight years.  He has been a firm friend of education, and 
shortly after the adoption of the public school system, was connected 
with it in the capacity of trustee and commissioner.  He is now a 
member of the board of trustees of Washington and Jefferson college, 
in which institution he is deeply interested.  Mr. Cranmer, in 
religious belief, is a Presbyterian, of which denomination he is a 
member and ruling elder of the First Presbyterian church of Wheeling.  
A man who commands the profoundest respect and warmest esteem of his 
fellow citizens. His private and public career are free from any 
attaining calumny. Asalawyer he accomplished much; as a citizen and 
Christian gentleman he has accomplished more. 


(Linda Fluharty)