THOMAS CROSTON, M. D.
No
history of the medical profession, or indeed of the growth,
upbuilding and progress of Lucas county along professional,
material, educational or political lines, would be complete
without mention of the career of Dr. Thomas Croston, physician
and surgeon and a powerful and vital force in public affairs. A native of
England, he was born near Manchester, December 12, 1846, a son
of Henry and Ellen (Williams) Croston, both natives of that
section. The
father was a contractor and manager of mines, his operations
being carried on near Bolton, England, where he died at the
age of sixty-six. It
was there that Dr. Croston secured that practical experience
in mining which has been of such benefit to him in the
community where he now resides, bringing him in sympathy with
the humbler class of laborers and broadening his mind, so that
he is now able to look upon both sides of any disputed
question. His
mother has also passed away, her death having occurred near
Manchester when she was seventy years of age.
Dr.
Thomas Croston was the only child born to his parents. He acquired his
preliminary education in the public schools of Manchester and
after having determined to make the practice of medicine his
life work studied under Professor John Skelton, M. D., a
prominent physician and surgeon in England and an author of
some popular works on the eclectic school of medicine. Having received his
degree, Dr. Croston left England and came to America, settling
first in Steubenville, Ohio, where he practiced medicine for
two years. At
the end of that time he retuned to his native country but
crossed the Atlantic again in 1880, locating this time in
Lucas, where he has since practiced, his medical skill
bringing him a large and lucrative patronage, drawn from Lucas
and the surrounding sections.
He has never allowed his ability to grow less as time
has passed but has kept in touch with the advancement of his
profession through broad reading and research. He is quick to
adopt new methods, once their worth is proven, and his ready
sympathy and cheery disposition as well as his professional
knowledge constitute elements for good in the sick room. He is loved by his
patients, to all of whom he is also a friend, tried and tested
through many years.
Aside
from his professional relations Dr. Croston has long been
recognized as an influential factor in the public life of
Lucas, giving of his time and talents unstintedly for the
advancement and upbuilding of the city and county. Although born
across the water, he is a loyal American citizen, his public
spirit being proven by definite and effective work in the
public interest. He
stands as a central figure in educational circles of the
county, being now in the twenty-fifth consecutive year of his
service as a member of the school board, having been first
elected in the spring of 1888.
He has been president of the board for a number of
years and to his energy, conscientiousness and unselfish labor
is due the present efficiency of the public-school system in
Lucas. He has
never shirked anything which he believed to be his duty and
even in the face of the greatest opposition has carried
forward his educational work to successful completion and is
now enjoying in the respect and esteem of his fellow citizens
the pleasure which comes to man from duty well performed. The people of Lucas
have evidenced their gratitude for his services by retaining
him in his position and giving him their support in the
promotion of his many projects of reform and advancement. Dr. Croston has
been mayor of Lucas for three terms and has been for
twenty-four years a member of the town council, his public
service standing as a testimonial to his loyalty and
faithfulness in citizenship.
Dr.
Croston married, in England in 1868, Miss Eliza Fletcher, a
native of that country, who died in Lucas. To their union were
born three children: Ellen,
who is caring for the home in Lucas; Ernest, who resides in
Needles, California; and George, a graduate in medicine from
Northwestern University in Chicago and one of the leading
physicians and surgeons in Sapulpa, Oklahoma.
Dr. Croston gives his political allegiance to the republican party and aside from the official positions before mentioned has served also as health officer of the town of Lucas and as county physician. Fraternally he is identified with Good Shepherd Lodge, No. 414, A. F. & A. M., and belongs also the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He and his daughter are affiliated with the Order of the Eastern Star, as was his wife during her lifetime. A man of ability, intelligence and public spirit, with his powers broadened and developed by travel and close observation, liberal-minded in his views and influenced at all times by regard and consideration for the rights and privileges of others, Dr. Croston stands as a representative of all that is most honorable in professional and private relations. He has given a great deal of his attention to the practice of medicine, in which he has won success during the years, but his professional labors have not excluded his active support and promotion of the other vital interests which go to make up the final sum of the human existence.