WILLIAM HENRY CROUCH

The farmer is the dependence of the country. The politicians figure on the farmer and the towns are built up and are supported by him. By the farm is meant an aggregate of farmers and the word has come to stand for the composite industry, honesty and patriotism of nearly the whole United States outside of the towns. No class is better than the individuals who constitute it. Hence the average farmer is a man to be respected and reckoned with. The Kansas farmer is the peer of any of his brethren east or west. It is a relief to turn from detailing the exploits of pioneers and the doings of politicians and leading men to the consideration of people like the Crouches, a family of which William Henry Crouch is a worthy representative.

William Henry Crouch, of Everest, Washington township, Brown county, Kansas, is one of the younger generation of successful farmers, whose life has been one of exemplary conduct, active industry and prosperous application to business. He was born in Knox county, Illinois, May 9, 1859. His father, the late David Crouch, who was born in Jefferson county, Ohio, in 1820, and died near Everest in 1888, was twice married, the first time to Ann Ewing and the second time to Elizabeth Patterson. By the first marriage the children were: Robert E., dead; Susan A., who is Mrs. William S. Cain, of Atchison; Mitchell, of Atchison; and Winfield S., who is dead. His second wife became the mother of William H.; Jane, wife of Frank Perry, Canadian county, Oklahoma; John M., a prosperous young farmer of Brown county; Thomas, who is dead; and Elmer D. Crouch, who is on the homestead and who is not less prominent than his worthy brothers. The Crouches of Brown county, Kansas, descended from Scotch ancestry. Their paternal grandfather, Daniel Crouch, was born in the Queen's dominions and spoke the Gaelic tongue. He settled in the United States and died in Jefferson county, Ohio, after having reared a family of seven or eight children.

David Crouch brought his family to Brown county in 1874. He located on a section joining Everest and became a well-known and prosperous farmer. He died there after fourteen years' residence among the people of Washington township and was mourned by a large circle of friends. He lived an upright life and instilled into the lives of his children those excellent traits that characterize honorable men and women.

William H. Crouch secured a district school education, chiefly in Illinois. He learned the art of successful farming from his father, and when he undertook the battle of life independently it was at this calling. He was not born with a golden spoon in his mouth, nor was he left with such a legacy a a farm, clear and ready for his hand. He rented land for a few years and some twenty years ago felt himself able to undertake the purchase of a farm. He chose the tract which is now his home, almost adjoining the village of Everest, and few men in that part of the county have managed their affairs, purely agriculttiral, so as to place themselves more at ease than has the subject of this sketch. Mr. Crouch is one of the many faithful and trustworthy men of his township. Content to carve out his own destiny in the field of agriculture, he has permitted others the same privilege and has met conditions as they appeared without grumbling or bickerings. He has a certain belief in lines of public policy, but respects others who hold views opposite to his own. For himself he has no interest in the matter of public office. He is identified with the Knights of Pythias, being chancellor of Everest Lodge. and is not married.