William Marshall Crouse ²

   FamilySearch ID: L7PD-H5Q.

  Noted events in his life were:

1. Book: Biographical Annals Of Lancaster County, 1903. ³
William M. Crouse, a highly respected citizen of West Cocalico township, Lancaster Co., was born Aug. 10, 1828, near Reinholds, son of William and Sarah (Marshall) Crouse, and was reared on the homestead.
Michael Crouse , his grandfather, was the first of the family to come to Lancaster county. He was born and reared at Worms, Germany, and when he reached manhood he came to this country, landing at Philadelphia, where he married Hannah O'Conner, the adopted daughter of a Mr. Carson, of that city. To this union were born the following children: (1) John married and moved to Lycoming Co., and from him is descended Judge Crouse, of that county. (2) Susan married Ludwig White, of Berks Co., and lived in Manheim township, Lancaster Co., Where their descendants are still to be found. (3) James lived in Snyder Co., and became a prominent charater. His son
Jeremiah at one time filled the office of prothonotary in that county, and held a contract in the government services.
His daughter Annie became the wife of Dr. Moore, of Philadelphia, and another daughter married Rev. Jacob Peters, a Lutheran minister then located in Manheim, but now living retired in Dauphin Co. (4) Elizabeth married Samuel Spears, a boat maker of Reading, and passed away long ago; all her children are also deceased. (5) Samuel was married to Elizabeth Binkley, of Reinholds, and they had five children; John, Mary, Hanna, Elizabeth and Sarah, all now deceased. With the exception of Sarah, who is living at her home in Lebanon Co., widow of John Eby, of Ephrata township. Samuel Crouse married, for his second wife, Sarah the sister of his first wife, and to this union were born seven children, four of whom survive, Samuel Jr., Mrs. Polly Moore, Mrs. Kate Houck and Mrs. Caroline Smith, all of whom are living in the vicinity of Myerstown, Lebanon Co. (6) Hannah married Jacob Lebo and is now living in Indiana. (7) Michael, who married Kate Pinkley, moved to York , PA., where he and his son Henry in after years were engaged in the comb making business. He is deceased, and his son Henry is a wealthy retired merchant of Reading. (8) William was the father of William M.
William Crouse was born Aug. 10, 1794, at Reading, where he was reared, and where he learned the comb making business. He married Sarah Marshall, of Fritztown, Berks Co., and settled near Reinholds, Lancaster, Co. Diedrich Marshall, the father of Mrs. Sarah Crouse, built the first house in what is now Fritztown, in 1754; it was of stone, which is still standing, and belongs to a Mr. Hatt. Mr. Crouse set up a comb factory on the Crouse place, and operated same many years; it was afterward run by his son, William M., and is now in the hands of a grandson, George Crouse. To William and Sarah Crouse were born the following children;
(1) Mary, born July 2, 1824, married Louis Gettle, and moved to Iowa, where they died, leaving eight children.
(2) William Marshall, whose name introduces this article, was born Aug. 10, 1828, and was the only son of his parents.
William Crouse was an active Whig and a stanch Republican. He voted for Jackson, but voted twice for Lincoln, and afterward for Gen. Grant, and was proud of his support given to the Union during the dark days of secession. He passed to his reward Sept. 6, 1872, his wife preceding him to the Silent Land, July 10, 1872. For
many years both had been devout and venerated members of the Reformed Church.
William M. Crouse was married Oct. 12, 1858 to Hanna, a daughter of Henry and Anna (Garman) Eberly, of Reamstown, and they had the following children; (1) Abner L., born Oct. 11, 1860, married Annetta Openhauser, and is living at Sinking Spring, Berks Co., They have two children; Jennie (who married Solomon Steffy) and Stella. (2) Henry Victor, born Jan. 8, 1863, is superintendent of the Tenth and Windsor Street Market House, at Reading, where he is also a clerk in a book store. He married Emma Hintz, of Reading, and they have three children; Rosa, Elsie, and Magdalene. (3) Mary Alice, born July 11, 1864 married Benjamin Bennetch of Cocalico, they have three children living; Harry, Allen, and Raymond. (4) George Washington, born Feb. 22, 1866, married Susan Weidner, daughter of Benjamin Weidner, Reamstown. They have two Children living, Hattie and Mamie. Their home is on the old Crouse farm, and the comb factory, built by his grandfather, is also operated by him. (5) Kate Elizabeth, born Aug. 29, 1867, married Lemon Bucher, of Reinholds, and is the mother of one child, Stephen. (6) Willie Eberly, born Dec. 7, 1868, is a merchant at Schoeneck. He married Cora Mellinger, daughter of George and Anna (Hogy) Mellinger, and they have three children; Albert, Willie and Harry. (7) Calvin Moses, born Sept. 4, 1871, married Sallie Sterner, of West Reading, Berks Co., and is the father of two children; Anna and Catherine. (8) Edwin Lawrence, born Aug. 10, 1874, died April 19, 1876 (9) Sarah Bertha, born April 18, 1876, married Lemuel Snyder of Berks Co., and lives at Walters Park. They have one child May. (10) Amy Valeary, born Aug. 20, 1879 is at home, as are (11) Julia Bessie, born April 15, 1882. And (13) John Adams, born April, 26, 1885. (12) Martha Magdalene, born June 23, 1884, died Sept. 29 following.
When Mr. Crouse was twenty-one he cast a Republican ballot, and he has been stanch in his support of that party to the present time. He has served as election officer, and has been justice of the peace for five years. During the Civil War Mr. Crouse entered the army, but did not remain at the front very long, being discharged on account of ill health. At the present time, after a long and useful life, he is living retired on the old home place, still taking an active part in political and religious matters.
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William married Hannah Eberly, daughter of Henry Eberly and Anna Garman, on 12 Oct 1858.¹ (Hannah Eberly was born on 15 Jun 1839 in Reamstown, Lancaster, PA and died on 14 Jun 1930 ¹.)