MASHACK CROUCH. The calling of a farmer has been considered honorable from the earliest days, and it was perhaps a mitigation of the punishment by which our first parents were ejected from the garden that the tilling of the soil and the making of the land productive should be theirs, for surely there is no way of coming nearer to the great Creator than in watching the development of the small as well as the great things in Nature. A blade of wheat unfolding under the summer sun is a promise of the goodness and greatness of the Father. It is indeed a divine trust and he who discharges the trust faithfully and well is as great as he who governs nations. Our subject is one of the favored class, being the owner of four hundred and eighty acres of fine farm land on sections 23, 26 and 27, South Otter Township, which tract he has developed until it is in a high state of cultivation.
Our subject is a native of East Tennessee where he was born November 5, 1833. There he remained until he had attained to years of manhood. In 1850 he felt that a change of location would be beneficial in a pecuniary way, and came to Macoupin County, where he has ever since resided with the exception of four years in Fayette and Macon Counties. As a lad out subject was reared on a farm and brought up with more perfect knowledge of this pursuit than of any other. Naturally bright and intelligent he was quick to see what Nature made advantage of, and therein lies the secret of his success.
Since coming to this State Mr. Crouch has bought and sold several different tracts of land. These he has successively improved and disposed of, and his present fine farm which is the site of a good residence and outbuildings in the best of conditions, is one of the most desirable in the township. Before coming to this State, Mr. Crouch was united in marriage with Malinda Rice, by whom he had one child, a son, named James H. who married Miss Martha Moore. Mr. Crouch's wife, Malinda, died in Macoupin County, and he has a second time united to a lady whose name was Lucretia J. Hart. By her he had five sons and four daughters. Their names are respectively: William N., Rebecca, Mary, John M., Albert M., Millard, Sarah M., Minda, Mashack. The eldest son was early married to a lady whose maiden name was Alice New. Rebecca became the wife of William Conley; Mary is the wife of Edward Clarady; John and Albert M. married respectively; Jane Lacock and Jane Layer. Millard took to wife Lena Wizzard; Sarah M., is the wife of A. Butler; Minda was united in marriage to Henry Campbell.
Mrs. Lucretia J. Crouch passed away from this life in South Otter Township, January 13, 1875. Mr. Crouch again contracted himself in marriage this time to Winnie Clarady who died in South Otter Township, after but a short time of marital experience. The gentleman's present wife was Mrs. Margaret (Shipp) Jeter, formerly wife of George Jeter, by whom she was the mother of two children, Noah, who died when six and one half years old and Ella.
Mr. Crouch is an adherent of the Democratic party, favoring its platform of free trade as he considers that most favorable to the agricultural fraternity. Under his party he has filled offices of Highway Commissioner and School Director very satisfactorily to his constituents. Socially, he is a member of the Farmers' Mutual Benefit Association. Mrs. Crouch is a member in good standing of the Christian Church.
The father of our subject was William Crouch who was born in North Carolina and was married in Tennessee, his wife's maiden name being Rebecca Tipton. She was the mother of our subject. Both parents passed away in Tennessee. They had twelve children of whom our subject was one of the junior members of the family. Our subject's paternal grandfather was Solomon Crouch, who also died in East Tennessee. The home of the gentleman of whom we write is characterized by the geniality and hospitality that are always understood to be inherent traits of Southern character. He is popular with his townsmen and is a useful and an interested member in the community.