James Cranska, the father of Floyd Cranska, a native of Portland, in the state of Maine, removed to Providence when a boy, and at a later date made Thompson, in Windham county, his home. Here he embarked in the shoe business, continuing in the same for nearly thirty years, and was for twenty years station agent at Grosvenor Dale, as also postmaster of the village. He married Asenath, daughter of Calvin Randall, manager and proprietor of mills in the eastern part of Thompson, Windham county. Their children were five sons and three daughters, of whom Floyd Cranska was born September 16th, 1849, in Thompson, his home until the age of nineteen. He was educated at the public schools, and during the summer assisted in farm work. On removing to Grosvenor Dale he became assistant station agent and postmaster of the village. Soon after, he was offered and accepted a position with the Grosvenor Dale Manufacturing Company, as head clerk and paymaster in their mills. After a faithful service of ten years he severed his connection with this company, and in January, 1880, on purchasing the cotton mill at Moosup, formerly known as the Gladding mill, began the manufacture of cotton yarns for the weaving trade. Mr. Cranska made many improvements in this mill, and introduced machinery for the manufacture of a high grade of fine thread yarns. The superior quality of the productions of the mill created a steady demand for its goods, which were of a higher class than ever before made, and warranted the building of a stone addition in 1886, thus doubling its capacity. The market for its products is found chiefly in New England.
Mr. Cranska is a republican in his political faith, and while interested in local issues and public measures, cannot be diverted from his absorbing business interests to enter the arena of politics. He was, when a resident of Thompson, a director of the Thompson Savings Bank. He is ‘a supporter of the Baptist church of Moosup, and treasurer and clerk of the society. Mr. Cranska was on the 3d of October, 1877, married to Evelyn C., daughter of Lucius Briggs, then agent of the Grosvenor Dale Manufacturing Company. Their children are: Annie Louise, Lucius Briggs, Harriet Atwood and Evelyn Clara. A daughter, Caroline Matilda, is deceased.
