CHARLES F. CRANDALL, of Brocton, Chautauqua county, N. Y., is one of the most conspicuous figures in the business life of this region and has been for many years associated with the Crandall Panel Company, Inc., which is engaged in the manufacture of panels and other fine wood work, and has a coast to coast trade. Mr. Crandall is a native of Brocton, where his birth occurred July 2, 1868, and as a lad attended the local public school. At the age of twenty-four, in 1892, having completed his studies, he engaged in business on his own account as a dealer in clothing and furnishing goods at Brocton. Two years later, however, he gave up this line in order to take up the manufacture of lumber, in which he dealt, together with i hardware. This business, for which there are such great resources in this region, prospered highly under his capable management and in 1901 he formed a partnership with W. I. and F. M. Thayer, under the firm name of Brocton Hardware & Lumber Company. He has since become associated with the Crandall Panel Company, Inc., one of the oldest and most important concerns of its kind in Chautauqua county. The Crandall Panel Company was founded about 1875 by Hosea B. Crandall as a grape basket factory. Hosea B. Crandall later admitted as a partner a Mr. Lowell and the firm became known as Crandall & Lowell, an association which continued until the latter sold his interest to Mr. Crandall, who thereupon admitted his son, J. E. Crandall, to the firm, which then became Crandall & Son. Upon the death of Mr. Crandall, Sr., J. E. Crandall carried on the business for about a year by himself and then formed a partnership with F. E. Hatch, after which the firm became known as Crandall & Hatch. At that time the buildings occupied by the concern measured 70 x 44 feet, and had two stories, including a mailing room, 30 x 40 feet, and a store below measuring 60 x 60 feet. Later J. E. Crandall bought out the interest of his partner, Mr. Hatch, and carried on the business alone for several years. An association was then formed with Lester H. Skinner and Orton Smith, and the firm name was changed to the Crandall Panel Company. The concern was then engaged in the manufacture of baskets and panels, the latter product being included in order to keep the business active during the entire year, as the demand for baskets only existed during the grape season. After about one year, Mr. Smith retired and in 1906 Charles F. Crandall was admitted as a partner and the business incorporated as the Crandall Panel Company, Inc. In 1909 the concern removed to the new plant erected by them at the present location, which consisted of a modern fireproof building, measuring 44 x 120 feet, and including three stories. This factory was equipped with all the modern machinery and devices for turning the rough timber into finished panels. The output of the mill is at present very large and they have a market throughout the United States, the character of their products being of the very highest type. Eighty-five hands are employed in the work of this mill, which forms one of the most important industries in the neighborhood of Brocton. Charles F. Crandall holds the double office of secretary and treasurer, with J. E. Crandall as president, and Lester H. Skinner as superintendent. In 1918 the manufacture of baskets was entirely dropped, owing to the greatly increased demand for panels and similar woodwork, and the plant is now devoted exclusively to turning out this product. The growth of the Crandall Panel Company, Inc., of recent years has been a phenomenal one, and the business genius and unusual grasp of practical affairs exhibited by Charles F. Crandall have been one of the chief factors in its development. Charles F. Crandall was united in marriage, Dec. 22, 1894, with Helen Roberts, a daughter of Hanson
and Emma (Moss) Roberts, and a granddaughter of T.S. Moss, a prominent man in this community during his life. To Mr. and Mrs. Crandall four children have been born, as follows: Marion, Frances, Emily, and Helen Mae.