My father's name was Stephen Douglas Crouch, my mother’s name was Betty Lynch. I was born January 23, 1892 on a farm near Nashville, Missouri. I was baptized September 21, 1941 at Joplin, Missouri by Stanford Fonnesbeck, a missionary who was laboring in Miami, Oklahoma where I lived, at the time. I was confirmed the same date by Joseph A. Herndon of Miami, Oklahoma. I was ordained a Priest on July 9, 1944 by Joseph Herndon, and was ordained an Elder on March 4, 1945 by Thomas C. Romney, Mission President. I was married to Louise Elizabeth Alterman (civil marriage) on November 21, 1919 at Girard, Kansas by Rev. B.R. Smith, we were sealed as husband and wife in the Salt Lake Temple on October 8, 1946 by Robert I. Burton and received my Patriarchal blessing on same date by Frank Woodbury.

My parents migrated to Missouri from Illinois, after having spent about a year there, coming from Kentucky to Illinois. They settled on a farm near Nashville, Mo. They were tenant farmers for about 20 years, living on a number of farms from 1880 until 1900, when they purchased a 220 acre farm just west of Nashville. This was practically all in timber about half of it being in rich bottom land, most of this land which was tillable was cleared of its timber and put under cultivation and produced very good crops, principally corn. My father built a six room two story house, along with a number of barns and outbuildings. Most of the farming which I did was therefore in the 'Stumps'. I attended school at Nashville, completing the eighth grade, in the 'little room’ through the 4th grade, and in the 'big room ' through the eighth grade. My first teacher was Myrtle Kline and my last was Bess Beamer, do not remember all of the other half dozen teachers.

There were no High Schools there, so after I graduated from the eighth grade, taking such subjects as Algebra, Ancient History and Literature which were beyond the eighth grade. I went to Lamar, Mo. to take the Teachers examination. I passed and received a third grade certificate which entitled me to teach in the rural schools. I had never intended to be a school teacher, but my parents prevailed upon me to apply for a school. I applied for the Glendale School about four miles northwest of Nashville, and my application was accepted, I started teaching there at the age of sixteen. The following year I taught at the Prairie School about four miles southeast of Nashville, the next year at a rural school about ten miles east of Nashville, the name of which I don't remember.

In September 1911 I started to school at the Pittsburg, Kansas Business College, completing a shorthand and bookkeeping course in July 1912. I had secured a job as a assistant bookkeeping teacher at the Pittsburgh Business College to start in September 1912. However, on August 29th I was in a horse and buggy accident and sustained a broken leg so I was not able to pursue this job. In December 1912, I was employed by the Kansas Gas and Electric Company in Pittsburg doing routine office work. I worked there until May 9, 1914 when I was employed by the National Bank of Commerce in Pittsburg as a bookkeeper, later becoming a teller, then Assistant Cashier. This bank was consolidated with the American Exchange State Bank in 1926 where I continued to work in the same capacity, Assistant Cashier. In February, 1928 the consolidated bank was taken over the National Bank of Pittsburg where I continued to work until April, 1931.

In August 1932, I and my wife Louise began working for the Fuller Brush Company, where we worked for nearly two years, and later worked for them for a few months in 1936 and 1938. This was during the big "Depression" and things were pretty 'rough’, but we managed to make a living, or maybe just an existence. I worked on Government sponsored projects, such as WPA and FHA for quite some time. In February, 1937 I commenced to work for the Sheard Chevrolet Company in Picher and Miami, Oklahoma. In Nov. 1938 we moved to Miami, Oklahoma where I was employed by the Berry-Wilert Motor Company, Chrysler-Plymouth Agency. In 1941. I worked for the Cloonan Motor Company in Parsons and the Ernie Williamson Music company in Pittsburg, Kansas, but continued to live in Miami, Oklahoma. I commenced to work for the Griffin Grocery Company in Miami in September 1941. In May 1944 we moved to Joplin, Missouri, where I continued to work for them, their Company having moved their warehouse from Miami to Joplin, Missouri. I worked for them until February, 1945, then started to work for the Sheward Buick Company in Joplin. Worked there until October, 1955, then started to work for the Burtrum-Woolston Motor Co. in Joplin: worked there until August, 1958 buy only on a part-time basis after January, 1957, the date I was eligible for by Social Security, 65 years of age.

I am now drawing a Veterans Pension in addition to my Social Security, and am not working, but may work some later on a part-time basis, as I am allowed to earn not more than $1,200.00 per year and still draw my Social Security.

In April 1914 I met a very attractive and lovely girl, Louise Alterman, in Pittsburg, Kansas. She was working in a Dry Goods Store there, Israel Brothers. We 'went together' for several years and had many enjoyable times together. We were married in November, 1919, and continued to live in Pittsburg, Kansas. We lived in an apartment at 307 East Euclid for about two years , Then we bought a home at 602 West Martin, Pittsburg, and moved there January 12, 1922 where we lived until 1938 when we moved to Miami, Oklahoma. Our first baby was born at 307 East Euclid, Carl Stephen was stillborn. Dorothy was born at 602 West Martin October 22, 1923 and Myra was born there October 10, 1925: and on January 7, 1932 David Lee was born, but lived just 38 days, died of pneumonia on February 14, 1932.

I have held the following offices in the Church: Sunday School Superintendent, Joplin Branch. Counselor and Clerk in the Branch Presidency, Secretary of the 7th Quorum of Elders, Counselor in District Sunday School, and supervisors of Branch Teachers. For about three years 1951-1954 I was editor of our District paper, which was called the 'District Reporter'. I was a member of the First Christian Church for quite a number of years in Pittsburg and Miami, Oklahoma. I was a Deacon in this church, also a member of the church board and was clerk for the board for some time. I joined the church in Pittsburg when Sam I. Smith was the pastor. Later pastors there were J.H.O. Smith Freeman Petit and Dyre Campbell, who was there when we left Pittsburg. All these ministers were very fine men and did much good there, but they lacked, of course, the gospel in its fullness.