ISAAC T. CROUCH. As we record the lives of those whose acts have made a lasting impress on the community in which they live, or whose beneficial influence is ever reaching out farther, there is a special pleasure in tracing the history of men who were numbered among the gallant soldiers of the Union. The gentleman of whom we write is a son of Benedict, and grandson of Elijah Crouch. The latter, who was of English descent, reared a family of four children, viz.: Elisha, Benedict, Stephen, and Mary, all of whom lived over fourscore years, and are now deceased. Benedict Crouch was born in June, 1800, near Jefferson, Greene Co., Penn., there passing his early youth. He learned the saddler's trade, which he followed a short time, and was then married to Rebecca, daughter of James Wallace. It seems this adventurous young Romeo had little faith in the popular maxim that "When poverty enters the door; love flies out of the window," for it is said that he commenced wedded life with a capital of thirty-seven cents. But far better than wealth, a stout body, active brain, and cheerful heart were his, which, with the unselfish love of his fair bride, proved far more efficient aid to success than a bank account in the hands of another. They were tenants on a farm for several years after their marriage, when he bought 288 acres near Bentleyville, Washington Co., Penn. Here he carried on an extensive farming business, and reared a large family of children, as follows: James, Sarah, John, William, Adah, Mary Ann, Thomas, Nathan, Hiram, Isaac T., Elizabeth, Bennett and Nesbit, of whom John, Sarah, Elizabeth, Thomas, Hiram, Nesbit and Mary Ann are now deceased. Adah and Isaac T. served under Gen. Philip Sheridan in the famous Ringgold Cavalry, which was finally merged into the Twenty-second Cavalry, under which title it was mustered out. Hiram was also a soldier of the Union, and William, then residing in Arkansas, felt that duty called him to defend his home and family rather than the nation; he therefore entered the Confederate army, and served throughout the conflict as captain of an Arkansas regiment. Benedict Crouch, for his second spouse, married Charity Wallace, a sister of his first wife, and the children by this union were S. Bentley, Hudson C. and Allison B. Notwithstanding the condition of his finances in early manhood, Benedict Crouch succeeded in paying for his home, rearing his large family of children in a respectable manner, and also saving quite a sum of money. He was an earnest Christian, and was identified with the Methodist Church, in which he was a class-leader. In politics, he was first a Whig, and afterward, on the formation of the party, a stanch Republican.
Isaac T. Crouch, son of Benedict and Rebecca Crouch was born August 22, 1842, near Beallsville, Washington Co., Penn. At the age of twenty-one years he entered the war (as above related) as a private, being afterward promoted to the rank of sergeant. He participated in the battle of Cedar Creek, the scene of "Sheridan's Ride," and served until the close of the war. He then returned to Washington county, where he worked on a farm for several years. On September 4, 1872, he was united in marriage with Elizabeth, daughter of William Forsythe, of Fayette county, Penn. The young people soon afterward located in Peters township, Washington county, where they remained as tenants for several years. In 1879 he bought the farm where he is now living, containing 117 acres of some of the best land in the county; it is underlaid with a valuable vein of coal which was recently sold at $50 per acre. Politically, Mr. Crouch has always been devoted to the interests of the Republican party, but invariably declines official honors. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and has served as elder and Sabbath-school superintendent. Two daughters complete the family circle, Jennie R., attending the Washington Female Seminary, and Nellie R.
Text taken from page 1310 of:
Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893).Transcribed February 1997 by Neil and Marilyn Morton of Oswego, IL as part of the Beers Project.
Published February 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.[ [Back to Beers Table of Contents] [Back to Beers Project Page]