Santa
Clara County
Biographies
REV.
WILLIAM E. CROUSER
REV. WILLIAM E. CROUSER. Although comparatively young in years and
experience, Rev. W. E. Crouser, pastor
of the Grace Lutheran Church in San Jose, has performed noteworthy work in the
Master’s vineyard, and has done much to advance the moral and spiritual welfare
of the community. He is a man of broad
and enlightened views, and during his pastorate here has not only endeared
himself to his congregation, but has won the friendship and esteem of those
outside of his own denomination. A son
of Frederick B. Crouser, he was born
June 13, 1871, in Mercer county, Pa. His paternal grandfather, Frederick Crouser, was born and reared in Germany, living there until
after the birth of his children. Emigrating then to the United States with his family, he
settled in Mercer county, Pa., where he was engaged in coal mining the
remainder of his active life.
A native of Germany, Frederick B. Crouser, at the age of six years came with his parents to
Pennsylvania, where he has since resided.
Choosing agriculture as his life occupation, he is now the owner of a
well kept and productive farm near New Lebanon, Pa. He married Mary Ann Heasley,
who was born in Westmoreland county, Pa., where her
father, John Heasley, was a prosperous farmer. Of their union eight children were born, five
boys and three girls. Both parents are
members of the Lutheran Church, in which the father has served as an elder for
many years.
The seventh child in succession of birth
of the parental household, W. E. Crouser
lived on the home farm until sixteen years old, acquiring his elementary
education in the district school.
Subsequently preparing for college at McElwain
Institute, he entered what is now the Susquehanna University, at Selinsgrove,
from which he was graduated in 1894.
After teaching school near Albany, N.Y., for a year, Mr. Crouser continued his studies at Hartwick
Seminary, near Cooperstown, N.Y., and was graduated, in June, 1898, with the
degree of B.D. During the same month, at
Orleans Corners, N.Y., he was ordained to the ministry, and preached for the
Board of Home Missions nearly four years in Schenectady, N.Y. Accepting then the pastorate of the Zion
Lutheran church, located at the corner of Nineteenth and Ferry streets,
Buffalo, N.Y., he remained there one year.
In 1902, for the benefit of his wife’s health, Mr. Crouser came to the Pacific coast, and since the first of
November, 1902, has had pastoral charge of the Grace Lutheran church in San
Jose. This church started with a small
organization in 1891, and grew with such rapidity that in 1896 the present fine
house of worship was erected. The
congregation has steadily increased, and under Mr. Crouser’s
wise pastorate has had a healthful growth.
On April 27, 1898, in Orleans Corners,
N.Y., Mr. Crouser married Jennie Belle Young,
who was born at Black Lake, N.Y., a daughter of
Rev. S. W. Young, a well-known Lutheran minister, who has had
charge of different churches in New York state, and in
Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Crouser have one child, Clarence Francis Crouser, born in 1899.
Mr. Crouser is secretary of the Northern
California Conference of Lutheran churches, and is a member of the Pastors’
Union of San Jose. Fraternally he
belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
Transcribed by Donna Toole.
Source: History
of the State of California & Biographical Record of Coast Counties,
California by Prof. J. M. Guinn, A. M., Pages 408-409. The Chapman
Publishing Co., Chicago, 1904.
© 2015 Donna Toole.