Michael HALE

                   Nancy Smith reared 4 step-children, had 12 of her own, and cared for  grandchildren.  Two of her daughters died in childbirth.

Nancy's Mother, Melinda Stockman Smith, died while crossing the Plains. Nancy Smith's father, George Smith, went to California seeking gold.  When he made a "little stake" he sent word he was coming home.  He was never heard of again.  Nancy's Mother came West hoping to find him.  She died en route.  (Told by Ella Ayers Robinson and Hazel Gowan )

1870 Oregon Census
1880 Oregon Census

CHARLOTTE POWELL, 2422 15TH AVE., FOREST GROVE, OR 97116; 10/98;
       CHARLOTTE POWELL, 2422 15TH AVE., FOREST GROVE, OR 97116; 10/98;
       1850 CENTER, CEDAR, IA; NANCY D, 14, IL

25 Nov 1971:  Letter from Ella Ayers Robison--sent Fam. Group Sheet of Michael Hale, both wives & children.  Also short history.  "Nancy Smith (our Grandmother)  was born in Iowa March 17 - 1836.  Her mother died while crossing the planes.  Her Father  had come to Calif. seeking gold and when he had made a little stake he sent word he was coming home & never heard of again.  Nancy's mother was coming west hoping to find him when she died En route so I've been told....Nancy Hale (our grandmother) later married Joseph Crank.

Death Certificate:  Washington #1401, Reg. #1439.   The Death Certificate states her husband as 'Michael Crank'.  The informant gave the first name of her first husband [Michael Hale] and the last name of her 2nd husband [Joseph Crank].

Nov. and Dec 1971;  Jan. & April 1972:  Letters to Darrell Cannon & Mary Cannon James regarding their families information.

Nov. & Dec 1971:  Letters to Ella Ayers  Robison & Gussie Ayers regarding their families information.


Received from Charlotte Powell in Hillsboro, OR; Sandra M. Hale,  503-657-9444, e-mail:  www.grandmahale@comcast.net (9-17-03).

"Grandma Crank - Nancy Smith Hale Crank was born March 17, 1836 in Indiana.  Her father came our to California to the Gold Rush and never returned.  Her  mother heard he had started home with his stake and she thought if she came our with friends on the wagon train she might be able to find him so she brought her daughter Nancy, age 12 with her.  The mother died near the Platt River.  The friends brought Nancy on and cared for her.  She later married Michael Hale, whose wife died leaving him with four children, John, Milton, Elias, and Sarah.  Nancy and Michael had 12 of their own.  When Michael died she later married Joseph Crank who had one son Billy, who returned to court her after his father's death, but she was not about to have him.
       They lived on a place about eight miles from Ritter, where she worked very hard to support them.  accordfing to her granddaughters, she was never heard to complain or apologize for want and always gave everyone the best she had.  Always had a garden, trout in her stream, and butter in the well.  Her only income was midwifery (traveling by horseback or hack to deliver the neighbors and friends babies) and she made her underclothing from flour and sugar sacks.
       Besides mothering the Hale children  she cared for five of her granschildren in her home.,  Her deceased daughter's children--May Cannon's children were Darrel, Mary, and Eleris.  Linda's children were Glen and Clarence Willingham.  At ohe time or another she had cared for 21 children , in her home.
        After it became too difficult for her to carry on to support herself and Joseph, she made plans for him and then announced them to him.  Knowing he had been an Odd Fellow she made arrangements for him at the home, and then got his clothes ready, gave him OLD POMP, one of the beautiful black team she had,. tied his clothes on behind the saddle and told him goodbye.
       She continued on alone as long as she could with the beginning of failing eye sight, and her son-in-law Johnnie Ayers checking on her.  Later she came out to the Heppner and Butter Creek area to family members.  In her last days she lived with her daughter Ella and her husband Bill Duncan and died at their home at Hillyard, near Spokane, Washington, deservedly love by all who knew her.
(Author unknown--probably one of Ella's children)