John Jacob Crouch

John was the son of Jacob Crouch & Jane Smith. He married 1st Sally Weese Wamsley on 1 OCT 1833 in Randolph County, Virginia. John was the father of 13 children. He and Sally were the parents of Jacob, Lydia Ann, William (1838), Martha (1840), & Sarah (1842). John married 2nd Susan Hixson on 22 Jul 1844 in Randolph, Virginia. They were the parents of Jemima, Mary Elizabeth (1847), Lucretia, Eliza (1852), Abraham W (1857-1932 SD, Mary Lee), John A (1860, Stella Charles), & William (1863).

The Odebolt Chronicle - 1898 - Auburn Recorder - J.J. Crouch, the oldest reader in point of years the Recorder has, was a visitor at this office yesterday. He is nearing his 88th year but is quite smart for one of that age. In speaking of our present school advantages, Mr Crouch took occasion to say that he was fearful that the children of today do not fully appreciate the advantages they have.

When he taught school in his younger days, children were compelled quite frequently to traverse long distances to reach the little log school house with its rude fireplace and home made benches. Window glass in those days was a luxury and in its stead to serve as windows, greased paper was used.

Black boards and crayons did not figure then and they were compelled to make figures in their head. Spelling was considered a very important branch of study and poor spellers were rare indeed. They did not confine themselves to 6 hours study in a day but kept at it early and late. Children seemed to realize they were there to learn and as a result a short schooling gave them a fairly good education.