Isabelle K. Crane was born to Joel (1831-1908) and Jane Elizabeth "Eliza" (Davidson) Crane (1830-1893) in the township of Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California in March of 1858, during the California Gold Rush. Her parents listed themselves as farmers in the 1860 and 1870 Censuses but her father also tried his hand at being a Teamster (teaming horses, making horses available for rent and sale) when asked his occupation when the 1880 Census was taken on June 2nd of that year. As a child, her parents began calling her "Belle", a name which would stay with her all of her life; she was their 4th child and she would remain in the family home with her parents until her mother passed away in 1893. She then went to live with her eldest brother, Ellis, an attorney, his wife, Carrie, and children in Colusa where she found her first job as a clerk when she was 42. Her father died in 1908 and her brother also died prior to 1910, leaving his wife a widow with four school aged children to support. The 1910 Census shows a number of changes to the household. Carrie, now a widow, was a music teacher. Belle was now using her birth name, Isabelle K., and, at the age of 52 was now a librarian at the public library in Colusa. In 1920, Isabelle was still the librarian at the public library. Carrie remained a widow and was now a county tax collector. She owned the house free of any mortgage and her two younger sons, twins, both 19 yrs. of age, were both working full time. There was also a lady rooming in the house to add to the family income. Carrie's eldest son, Temple, and his wife, Edith, lived next door. Isabelle would pass from this life sometime during 1926 when she was about 68 yrs. of age. She was buried under the name "Belle" Crane near her parents and 2 brothers who had gone before her at the Santa Rosa Rural Cemetery in Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California. May she Rest at Peace in Paradise with her Loved Ones. She was my Cousin.
By Kathie L. Webb Blair, a Davidson descendant,
March 17th, 2014