He was born in Athens, Ohio, the third Bishop of the Methodist Church to have been born in Athens. Among his ancestors were Roger Williams and two colonial governors of Rhode Island.

Cranston served as a Captain in the Union Army during the American Civil War. In 1867 he joined the Ohio Annual Conference of the M.E. Church. Prior to his election to the Episcopacy, he served as Pastor, Presiding Elder, and publishing agent for the Church.

Cranston died at New Richmond, Ohio. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.