Henry Crandall — National news

The launching of Henry Crandall’s Boy’s Savings Club made news around the nation, as far away as Alaska.

Crandall, “believing that if the instinct to save is inculcated in youth it will become an established habit,” offered to open savings accounts for up to 100 Glens Falls boys, explained a report headlined “Teaches Youth to Save,” which was carried in newspapers in at least seven states in late 1910 and early 1911.

Crandall deposited $25 — the equivalent of $807 in 2024 dollars — to start each boy’s account.

When each boy saved $35.50, Crandall would add another $35.50, assuring that, with interest, each boy would have $100 to withdraw on his 21st birthday.

“Mr. Crandall has proposed a strange philanthropy, but it is founded in common sense and must appeal to young men who are made of the right stuff.”

A search of the Library of Congress historic newspapers data base found the article carried in newspapers in Arkansas, Kentucky, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Mississippi, Connecticut and Massachusetts.

A separate, shorter, report was carried in newspapers in Connecticut and Alaska.

“Crandall has heretofore given two parks, a public playground and a public library to the city,” the second report concluded.

In other Henry Crandall news collected from historic newspapers:

• The Rev. G.B. Gow, former pastor of First Baptist Church of Glens Falls, praised Henry Crandall in a letter to the Crandall Free Library board, The Morning Star reported on Jan. 16, 1895.

“I think Mr. Crandall has taken in hand a kind of work which will make his name remembered when most of his fellow citizens of wealth will be forgotten.”

• “Henry Crandall of Glens Falls has generously contributed $2,000 — the equivalent of $64,116 in 2024 dollars — to the free library fund at Glens Falls,” The Elizabethtown Post reported on July 28, 1892.
• Lumber barons Henry Crandall and Samuel Pruyn and village President Lapham comprised the Glens Falls Board of Excise, which controlled the issuing of liquor and beer licenses, for 1874, The Troy Weekly Times reported on May 3, 1874.

“Their first meeting will take place at №92 Glen Street, May 4. A good board, and one of whom temperance people need have no fears.”

• Henry Crandall was elected president of the newly reorganized Glens Falls, Sandy Hill and Fort Edward Horse Railroad Co., The Argus of Albany reported on April 17, 1886.
• “J.W. and D.J. Finch and Henry Crandall have each donated $1,000 (the equivalent of $32,289 in 2024 dollars) towards building the chancel of the Church of the Messiah. The amount now is about $5,000,” The Argus reported on May 29, 1888.
• “Henry Crandall has presented to E.M. Wing Post (G.A.R.) an elegantly bound and engraved blank book into which will be inscribed as a memorial the name, date of service, etc. of every Warren County man that enlisted in the late war, as far as the same can be procured,” the Glens Falls correspondent reported in The Argus on Jan. 9, 1892.
• “Henry Crandall and wife returned home Tuesday evening from their winter sojourn in southern California. He reports having experienced colder and rougher weather than has prevailed here,” the Glens Falls correspondent reported in The Argus on March 6, 1890.

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