BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, BELMONT COUNTY, OHIO

"History of the Upper Ohio Valley" Vol. II, 1890.

Presented by Linda Fluharty from hard copies provided
by Mary Staley & Phyllis Slater.


Pages 575-576.

RALPH CROZIER - A pioneer character of Belmont county, Ohio, was Ralph
Crozier, who died September 9, 1869. He was an Irishman by birth,
having been born in county Tyrone, Ireland, December 25, 1800. Receiving
a rather scant education in his native land, Mr. Crozier afterward,
learned the trade of weaving. His father, Ralph Crozier, was also a
weaver. Ralph, Jr., came to America about the year 1818, and settled
at Pittsburgh, Penn., but remaining there only a few months, he then,
took up his abode in Pultney township, Belmont Co., Ohio. Here Mr.
Crozier followed his trade, as a weaver. Following this vocation for
several years he next engaged in the lumber business, cutting timber
and transporting it to Wheeling by boat, the bulk of it being bought
by Chester D. Hubbard. Subsequently, in 1839, he moved to Monroe
county, Ohio, and purchased a small farm, which he operated for about
seven years, at the expiration of which time he returned to Belmont
county, and took up the mining industry. The last years of his life
were spent as a brick-maker. In the year 1832, he was united in mar-
riage to Miss Elizabeth McMahon, who was a resident of Pultney township.
Twelve children were born to them: James; Thomas, Ralph, Richard,
William, David, Joseph, James W., Annie, and Mary A.  James, Thomas,
David, Mary A., and two children who died in infancy, are now deceased.
Mrs. Crozier died in 1879. May 2d. Ralph, William and David established
a brick-yard in Bellaire, in 1869, and this business is still conducted
by Ralph and William. They manufacture building and paying brick on
a very extensive scale. Richard Crozier was born while the family resided
in Monroe county, his birth occurring in 1841. Mr. Crozier's early life
was spent in Belmont county, where he attended the common schools. He
began working when quite young in the brick-yard, where he remained until
1858, when he connected with his three brothers in business. At the
close of the war he entered into a partnership with Joseph Mitchell,
this firm establishing the first brick-yard which was started after the
war. In 1869 this firm was dissolved, and he then again entered the
business conducted by his brothers, remaining with them until he started
the meat and grocery business, in which he is still engaged. W. S. Dunfee
was taken into the business in 1887, and has since been connected with
him. In November, 1871, Mr. Crozier married Nancy J. Dunfee, by whom he
has had six children: Catharine E., James W., Anna L., Louisa M. and Maggie
J., and one who died before christening. Mr. Crozier is an ardent supporter
of the democratic party, and is a successful business man, having gained
the respect and confidence of the citizens of Bellaire.