James Cranefield and Maria Tipple Cranefield emigrated from Erpingham, England to the United States in 1848. Upon their arrival they settled in what is now Fitchburg, Wisconsin. Their son Frederic was born in 1865 and was a pioneer in horticulture for the State of Wisconsin as well as an avid photographer. He married Laura Hinrichs and together they raised four children: Paul, Marion, Harold, and Laura.
Paul Cranefield Sr. was born in 1897 and served in World War I. He was a prolific amateur photographer and an insurance agent with the National Guardian Life Insurance Company. He married Edna Rothnick with whom he had a son, Paul Jr., born in 1925. Paul Jr. graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a PhD in 1951 and went on to receive his MD from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in 1964. He was a prominent doctor of cardiology and a well published author of medical physiology texts. He belonged to the Robert Benchley Society as well as to the National Arts Club, an organization which awarded prizes to young playwrights such as Edward Albee and Anna Deveare Smith and also helped found La Mama, an experimental theatre group in New York City, and remained on the board of directors for many years.
Marion Cranefield was born in 1897. He was one of the first Wisconsin soldiers to die in battle during World War I. Upon his death the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States established the Marion C. Cranefield Post 1318 in Madison, Wisconsin in his honor. Marion Cranefield is buried in Madison's Forest Hill cemetery.
Harold Cranefield was born in 1903 and became a prominent lawyer for civil rights and civil liberties. He held prominent positions with the National Labor Relations Board and the United Automobile Workers. He married Eleanor, who later became a professor of social work at the University of Michigan.
Laura Cranefield was born in 1905 and became a prolific writer.
The following chart provides a brief introduction to the Cranefield family and family relationships within the collection. This is not intended to be a complete family tree but rather a guide.
- James Cranefield (1807-1894) Born: Erpingham, Norfolk, England; Died: Fitchburg, Wisconsin
- m. Maria Tipple (1826-1916)
- ch. James Cranefield (1852-1933)
- ch. Walter Cranefield (1854-1932) m. Ella Spencer
- ch. Edward Cranefield (1856-1938) m. Sarah Spencer
- ch. Frederic Cranefield (1865-1939) m. Laura Hinrichs (1866-1929)
- ch. Marion Cranefield (1896-1918)
- ch. Paul Cranefield, Sr. (1897-1944) m. Edna Rothnick
- ch. Paul Cranefield Jr. (1925-2003)
- ch. Harold Cranefield (1903-1969) m. Eleanor
- ch. Laura Cranefield (1905-1979)
