JESSE LE ROY CROZER

Jesse Le Roy Crozer needs no introduction to the readers of this volume, for he has been a resident of Cedar county for fifty-eight years and was long well known as a prominent representative of agricultural interests and is now accorded a place with the leading financiers of the county through his connection with the vice-presidency of the West Branch State Bank. He was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, July 14, 1850, a son of Jonathan and Phoebe (James) Crozer, both natives of Ohio, the father born April 1, 1826, and the mother on the 11th of June, 1829. They were married in Columbiana county in 1848 and to provide for his family Jonathan Crozer followed the occupation of farming. In the year 1852 he came to Cedar county, Iowa, and took up his abode two miles south of West Branch, where for a long period he carried on general farming. He died on the old homestead December 2, 1882, and his widow now resides with her children, Jessie L. and Mrs. Martha Elizabeth Thomas, the wife of Peter J. Thomas, who is living southeast of West Branch.

Jesse L. Crozer was only two years of age when brought by his parents to Iowa and upon the home farm he was reared and there resided until December, 1903. He early became familiar with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist and his practical experience well qualified him for successful farming when he started out in life on his own account. He became the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of land on sections 18 and 19, Springdale township, constituting a valuable farm equipped with all modern improvements and accessories. Everything about the place presented a neat and thrifty appearance and indicated the careful supervision and practical methods of the owner. Year after year Mr. Crozer continued to carry on the work of the fields until December, 1903, when he left the farm and removed to West Branch, where he has since made his home. Here he built his present fine residence on South Downey street. It is an eleven-room house, supplied with all modern equipments and conveniences. Since taking up his abode in town Mr. Crozer has been elected to the vice presidency of the West Branch State Bank and is thus connected with one of the strong financial institutions of the county.

In 1876 occurred the marriage of Mr. Crozer and Miss Caroline Mackey, who was born near Whitby, Ontario county, Canada, February 27, 1850. She came alone to Downey, Cedar county, Iowa, to join a brother and sister in 1873. Her parents both died in Canada, her father passing away when she was five years of age, while her mother died when Mrs. Crozer was a young lady of eighteen. In the family were eight children, four sons and four daughters, of which number three of the daughters and one son came to Cedar county, Iowa. In order of birth they were as follows: Sylvester, now living in Ontario; Charles, who died in Iowa City in 1909; Sarah Ann, who died at the age of eighteen years; Lavina, the widow of Hugh Crawford of Lone Tree, Iowa; David, who died in Canada; Levi, residing in Toronto, Canada; Mrs. Crozer; and Maria, the widow of U. B. Sanders of Cedar Rapids. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Crozer have been born two children, Clara E. and Lena M.

In his political views Mr. Crozer has always been a republican, interested in the success and growth of the party. He filled the office of road supervisor for six years and for twenty-one years was treasurer of his school district. He was reared in the Quaker faith but is not now a member. He was formerly identified with the Independent Order of Good Templars and of the Foresters, but is affiliated with neither organization at the present time. He is practically a life-long resident of Cedar county and has been an interested witness of its growth and progress, its development and upbuilding. Those who know him recognize in him the sterling traits of honorable manhood which ever win confidence and high regard. He has led a busy and useful life and his success is the logical and merited sequence of his labors.