WILLIAM B. CROTHERS. There is in the intensified energy of the successful man, fighting the every-day battle of existence, but little to attract the attention of the idle observer; but to the mind fully awake to the reality and meaning of human existence there are noble and immortal lessons in the life of the man who, without other aid than a clear head, a strong arm and a true heart, conquers adversity and closes the evening of his existence with an honorable competence, and leaves to his posterity the priceless legacy of a good name. William B. Crothers is the eldest in a family of seven children, of whom three sons and three daughters still survive. His father, Samuel J. Crothers, was born in Mt. Pleasant, Ohio, and came to Washington county, Penn., when twenty-one years of age. He married Jane Brownlee, a native of Washington county, and they settled near Taylorstown, where he passed the rest of his life. His widow still survives him.
W. B. Crothers is a native of Washington county, Penn., his birth occurring on the family homestead in Buffalo township, June 14, 1836. Here he was reared to manhood, surrounded by the limited advantages common to the youth of that period, his time for the most part being taken up between assisting his parents in the duties of the farm, and in attending, for a few months during the winter period, the little district school of his neighborhood. Nature dealt somewhat sternly with the youth of that period; they were reared in a mold of masculine character, and made fit to encounter and turn to account all vicissitudes. Early in life Mr. Crothers commenced to turn his attention to agricultural pursuits, which have been his life vocation, and in which he has achieved an enviable position, for he stands to-day pre-eminent among his fellows as one of the leading agriculturists of Buffalo township, and furnishes, in his career, a striking example of the success that comes to him who strives, and who with intrepidity faces the stern responsibilities of life, and achieves a triumph which is in no way the result of chance or happy accident, but of individual and continuous effort. On February 28, 1861, Mr. Crothers married Miss Emma Maxwell, a native of Hopewell township, Washington county, and their union has proven a most happy one, for in her he has found not only a faithful, affectionate wife, but a real helpmate, ever ready to take her share of the burdens of their earlier days. Children have been born to them as follows: Anna (Mrs. Samuel Cleland), Wylie F., Maggie (Mrs. Walter Coulson), Harry, Albert, James, Arthur and John.
James Maxwell, the father of Mrs. Crothers, was a native of Hopewell township, Washington Co., Penn., and during his lifetime was one of the highly respected citizens of the same. He married Margaret Grier, who was born near Carlisle, Penn., and came to Washington county with her parents. They resided in Hopewell township until their deaths, both dying in their sixty-seventh year, the father on May 10, 1869, the mother on July 14, 1870. Eight children were born to them, of which the youngest son yet occupies the old homestead, formerly the birthplace and home of Robert Fulton, whose name will ever appear in American history. Four of the children are yet living.
Immediately following their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Crothers located on a farm in Buffalo township, near Taylorstown, which property he had purchased in 1859. Here they have since resided, and by energy and judicious economy have increased it, until to-day the farm, one of the finest in the township, consists of 500 acres in a body. In their handsome, modern home, where happiness, contentment and genial hospitality are ever present, they are passing the sunset of their years, respected and esteemed by all. Politically, Mr. Crothers has always been an ardent supporter of the principals of Republicanism and Protection. He takes pride in the prosperous condition of American workmen, and sees in the protective tariff the lever which has placed them so far above the laborers of Europe. In the heat of the campaign he succumbs to the excitement, and has often been found in the thickest of the fray laboring zealously for the success of the party. He is not, however, bound by party ties, but freely attributes to others the same rights he claims for himself the right of an honest opinion and many of his most intimate friends are his political opponents. When a young man, Mr. Crothers united with the Presbyterian Church, and has since remained a devout member and liberal supporter thereof. As a citizen he is public- spirited and generous to a fault, giving liberally of his means to charity without ostentation, and every movement toward the advancement of his section, educationally and morally, finds in him an earnest and ardent advocate Mr. Crothers was endowed by nature with a. powerful frame and rugged constitution, and the passing years having left but few traces, he is still in the prime of life.
Text taken from page 51 of:
Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893).Transcribed April 1997 by Neil and Marilyn Morton of Oswego, IL as part of the Beers Project.
Published April 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.[ [Back to Beers Table of Contents] [Back to Beers Project Page]