Charles Sanborn Cram was born September 10, 1823 at Meredith, New Hampshire. Part of his boyhood was spent in Boston and vicinity with which he became very familiar. In later life he took great delight in narrating instances and describing places of note and interest.

While yet a young man he heard the gospel preached in his father's home. He and his father accepted the gospel and were baptized.

In 1849 he married Eliza Jane Prescott to whom eight children were born. They were married in New York City then later emigrated to Utah. Their first child, Angelo Prescott, was born in Meredith, New Hampshire. Then a daughter Angeline, was born in Brooklyn, New York. (Angeline Cram Bradley is remembered when she often visited Kanab. She lived in Nyssa, Oregon but loved Kanab and wished to be buried there.) The second boy, Victor Prescott, was born in Montgomery, Alabama, Victoria, the next girl, was born at Moline, Rockford, Illinois; the fifth child, Charlesetta, was born at Carondelet, St. Louis, Missori. They had five children before they arrived in Salt Lake City. As they emigrated west they would have to stop and earn a living before moving towards Utah. Three more children were born at Salt Lake City: Georgetta, Charles Sanborn Jr., and Heber Prescott.

Being a successful contractor and builder he established himself in business after his arrival in Salt Lake City. The family was soon provided with what was considered in those days a very comfortable home. He also built several homes for eminent businessmen and other important building. He was a close friend of President Brigham Young and the authorities of the church, often entertaining them in his own home.

He met Margaret Smith who was working for President Young and she later became his plural wife. Four children blessed this union: Clara, Alexander Smith, John Smith, and George Smith Cram.

In 1873 he was called by President Young to go to Arizona. The expedition was abandoned on account of the Indians and he met those returning from Arizona at Johnson, Utah. He remained a short time and purchased what was known then as Stewart Canyon. Having brought fifty head of heifers and several spans of mares the family began dairying.

In 1875 he moved to Kanab where he took an active part in helping to build up this southern country. Not only in Kanab but also in Long Valley may be seen many comfortable homes he built. The family dairy business was operated in Kanab Canyon where they owned two ranches. About 1889 he moved to Provo, Utah in order to give his children the advantage of higher education and while there built an addition to the state mental hospital.

After returning to his home in Kanab he built and operated a small boat on the underground lake known as Crocodile, located on the ranch by the same name where they had the dairy business. The young folks took great delight in the excursions to the lake, boat riding, picnicking, etc. Many names and dates engraven on the walls of the cave may still be seen as souvenirs of the good old days.

He was one of the presidents of the eighty-fifth quorum of Seventy, organized in Kanab in 1885. He was meek and humble and exceptionally kindhearted to the poor and needy yet he was one of the most faithful in his labors, always at his post of duty. He spent his last days working in the temple. He died. November 10, 1904 of paralysis after but a few days of illness. He was 81 years old and was buried in Kanab Cemetery.

George S. Cram, youngest of Charles Sanborn Cram, often remarked his father was a typical Southern gentleman who had a Negro servant wait on him until he was 21 years of age. His father was most meticulous in his personal grooming and kept his black horses and white top buggy spotless and ready for all occasions.

FROM THE DESERET NEWS * THURSDAY, NOV.17th, 1904, page 9.

"Death of Charles Sanborn Cram" Kanab, Kane County Utah, Nov. 14, 1904.

Charles Sanborn Cram, one of the pioneers of this southern County and highly esteemed citizen, died Nov. 10th, 1904, of paralysis, after one day’s suffering. He voted at the general election, but was stricken the day following, being 81 years and two months old.

"Deceased was born in Meredith, N. Hampshire Sept 10, 1828, was baptized when about 21 years old, and emigrated to Utah in 1861. He was a carpenter by trade. He built several important buildings in Salt Lake City; was a close friend of President Brigham Young and the Authorities of the Church while he lived in Salt Lake. He was called by President Brigham Young in 1873 to go to Arizona; came as far as Johnson, Kane County, Utah and met some returning from Arizona, and President Young advised him to locate in Kanab and help build up this part of the county., thus becoming one of the early pioneers of this southern country. He was one of the Presidents of the 85th quorum of Seventy, organized in Kanab in 1885; and was one of the most faithful in his labors; always at his post of duty; he was a meek and humble man, kind to the poor, had embraced all the laws of the Gospel, and was indeed one of Gods noblemen. He leaves a wife and nine children, a number of grandchildren and friends to mourn his loss."