THORNTON A. CROZIER

CROZIER, WARD, FAST, MCBRIDE, HERRICK

Posted By: Norma Nielson (email)
Date: 8/19/2004 at 13:35:35

Thornton A. Crozier, an enterprising and highly respected farmer of Eureka township living on section 6, is a native of California, although he has spent the greater part of his life in this state. He was born on the Pacific coast in November, 1851, a son of Robert and Nancy H. (Ward) Crozier, who were natives of the Buckeye state. The parents went to California about 1850 and the father there engaged in farming for a year, after which he went to Iowa, settling in Marion county, where he purchased land, continuing the further development and improvement of that farm throughout his remaining days. He died November 27, 1913, while in 1889 death had claimed his wife.
Thornton A. Crozier spent his youthful days in Marion county, Iowa, and his time was divided between the duties of the schoolroom, the pleasures of the playground and such tasks as were assigned to him by parental authority. He continued with his parents until he attained his majority and then started out in life for himself by renting land which he continued to cultivate for five years. He carefully saved his earnings until industry and economy had brought him sufficient capital to enable him to purchase sixty acres in Marion county. He operated that farm for five years and then sold it, after which he came to Adair county and purchased eighty acres on section 6, Eureka township. This he at once began to cultivate and improve and has since made his home thereon, while his labors have resulted in the transformation of the place into one of the fine farms of the locality.
In April 1878, Mr. Crozier was united in marriage to Miss Laura Fast, a daughter of Phillip and Nancy (McBride) Fast, who were pioneer residents of both Marion and Adams counties. They went to Marion county in 1868 and there the father engaged in farming for a few years and then removed to Adams county, where he purchased land, which he continued to cultivate throughout his remaining days. He died in July, 1906, having for almost thirty-five years survived his wife, whose death occurred December 7, 1871. There were eight children in their family, of whom six are yet living. Mr. and Mrs. Crozier have become the parents of seven children: Charlie, now a resident of Council Bluffs, Iowa; Billy, whose home is in Lake City, Iowa; Jessie, a resident of Council Bluffs; Nellie, the wife of Ellis Herrick, who is living in Anita, Iowa; and Floyd, Byron and Tressa, all at home.
Mr. Crozier exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party but does not seek nor desire office, his undivided attention being given to his business affairs. He is well known as a raiser of high grade stock, feeding about two carloads of cattle per year, and his annual sales of stock and farm produce bring to him a substantial financial return.
Source: The "History of Adair County Iowa and its People," Volume II. (Chicago, The Pioneer Publishing Company) 1915.