Obediah Crouse

CROUSE, WAGNER, MODLIN, ROTTLER

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 11/11/2011 at 07:47:10

OBEDIAH CROUSE. A visitor in Felix Township, Grundy County, would not long be in ignorance of the name and character of the gentleman above mentioned, who is classed among her best agriculturists. His home farm consists of three hundred and twenty acres of well improved land, upon which stands a complete line of good buildings. He is justly considered one of the county’s self-made men, and he virtually commenced his career with nothing but his strong hands and a determination to succeed.

Winfield Crouse, the father of our subject, was born in Virginia, January 31, 1798, and was there reared upon a farm. When choosing an occupation for himself he learned the trade of a stonemason and also followed the occupation of a brickmaker. His parents being very poor he was permitted to attend school but a very short time; nevertheless he gained a fair education by applying himself to his studies when off duty. The lady to whom he was married bore the maiden name of Anna Wagner. She was born April 13, 1800, in Virginia, near the state line of North Carolina. By her union with Winfield Crouse were born ten children, viz.: John, born November 30, 1820; Elizabeth, December 8, 1822; William Hamilton, March 15, 1828; Matilda, January 13, 1826; Mary L., July 29, 1830; Sarah A., September 1, 1833; Catherine, August 6, 1834; Frederick, March 13, 1837; Alexander, March 5, 1840, and Obediah September 5, 1841.

The father of our subject was a stanch adherent of the Republican party and a faithful member of the Baptist Church. He departed this life March 14, 1849, while his good wife died July 13, 1851. The elder Mr. Crouse owned a valuable estate of two hundred and forty acres in Owen County, Ind., where he was one of the first settlers, having emigrated there as early as 1827. He was an honest, upright man, well known in the county, and held a worthy place in the esteem of all his acquaintances.

Obediah Crouse, of this sketch, was born September 5, 1841, in Owen County, Ind., and assisted his father in the pioneer work of clearing his farm in the Hoosier State. On the outbreak of the Civil War he volunteered his services to the Union army, enlisting August 2, 1861, as a private in Company D, Thirty-first Indiana Infantry under Captain Williams. He did brave and valiant service until September 22, 1862, when he was discharged on account of physical disability. His health improving, he came to this state and again offered his services in the one hundred day service, being mustered in May 17, 1864, and at the time of his discharge, September 15 of that year, was honored with the title of Corporal. He engaged in the battles of Ft. Donelson and Shiloh and with his regiment participated in many skirmishes.

When coming to this state, our subject made his home for a short time in Marshall County, and in March, 1864, became identified with the residents of Grundy County, where he rented property and paid expenses for a time by hauling wheat to Marshalltown and in operating a threshing machine. His first purchase of land, for which he went in debt, consisted of forty acres, to which he added at various times as his circumstances would allow, until he has now one of the finest estates in the county.

The lady to whom our subject was married in 1866 bore the maiden name of Sarah Modlin. She was the daughter of Mark and Mary (Rottler) Modlin, natives of England. Mrs. Crouse was born in Indiana December 20, 1845, and since her marriage to our subject has faithfully shared the toils and sacrifices of their pioneer life and has helped him to become prosperous. Their family comprises seven children, namely: Harvey, Anna E., Mary A., Frank, George, Calvin and Charlie. They have all been given the best advantages for obtaining an education, and one daughter is teaching school. Mr. Crouse removed into his present beautiful residence in 1893 and is now enjoying to the full his rest after years of hard toil. He takes great interest at all times in politics and is a strong supporter of the Republican party. Socially he is a member of the Grand Army, being connected with Anderson Post No. 155 at Beaman. He sustains a most enviable reputation for strict integrity and firmness of purpose, and in following his chosen vocation, not only gains a handsome income but the good will of the community at large.

Source:
Portrait and Biographical Record
of Jasper, Marshall and Grundy Counties, Iowa
1894