Crouch, Howard 1891-1912

CROUCH, REYNOLDS

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, volunteer (email)
Date: 2/21/2012 at 16:03:15

Howard Russell Crouch, b. 03 Feb 1891; d. 15 Dec 1912
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Died On The Same Day
Brothers, Both Long Sufferers From Illness, Pass away

The family of Mr. and Mrs. James Crouch residing in Hinton was sorely bereaved on Sunday by death which entered their home and took from it two sons within an hour.

Robert Crouch aged 28 died at eight o'clock in the morning and an hour later his brother Howard aged 21 passed to the portals of the beyond. Both young men were relieved from long suffering. Robert had been practically helpless for eleven years, having been invalided ever since he had a severe attack of grip which affected his spine and limbs. Two years ago Howard was stricken with a similar malady. He was able however to help himself and could get about with the aid of a wheel chair and a familiar figure in the streets of Hinton selling papers, magazines and other articles.

Besides the bereaved parents, the boys leave four brothers and two sisters who all live in Hinton and vicinity. One sister is married, Mrs. Wm. Reynolds.

Robert and Howard Crouch were born in the old Crouch homestead in Liberty township and lived in Plymouth county all their lives. They were devotedly nursed by their mother whose heart went to her boys deprived in young manhood of all that makes life worth living but who bore their misfortune with resignation and a cheerfulness which was admirable to see.

The funeral will be held today at the Methodist Church in Hinton and the interment made in the cemetery at Potosia.

Andrew Crouch, of this city, is an uncle of the young men and went down to attend the funeral.

~Source: LeMars Semi-Weekly Sentinel, Dec. 17, 1912
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TWO TAKEN FROM ONE HOME

Our people were shocked Sunday by the news that the two invalid sons of Mr. and Mrs. James Crouch, of Hinton, had died that morning between the hours of eight and nine. It was not only a shock to relatives and friends but for a time Sunday morning grave fears were entertained for the father, who was so overcome by the deaths that he lay for some time in a semiconscious condition.

Both young men had been sick for only a short time with the grip, but the disease seemed to have made rapid progress in its debilitating effects and before the friends could fully realize their condition, they had passed away.

Robert was 28 years old and had been practically helpless for over eleven years. His condition was brought about by a severe attack of the grip, which seemed to have settled in his spine. Although sadly afflicted he had a genial disposition and always looked hopefully to the future thoroughly believing that sometime he would be able to be up like the others. Through his helplessness and dependence, he had so endeared himself to his parents, especially his mother, that his death has been the severest of trials to them.

Howard was over 21 years of age and had been crippled for a little over a year. He was not quite so unfortunate as his brother, as he could get out in a wheel chair and when the weather was fine he would p0eddle papers, magazines, etc, on the streets of Hinton. He was a fine young man, always polite and courteous and a great favorite in the community. The two brothers sympathized with each other in their affliction and their hearts love had so endeared them to each other that they thought almost as one.

Robert died at eight in the morning and before the clock struck nine, Howard was with him in the spirit world. The funeral was held Tuesday in the Methodist church and the two bodies were lain side by side in the cemetery near their old home at Potosia, Liberty township.

~Source: Old newspaper clipping submitted by family descendant, Bob Jacoby. The newspaper death notice is likely one from the Hinton newspaper, December 1912