Richard Crozier (1797-1867)

"Memoir of Rev. Richard Crozier,
          of Ripley, Ohio.
                  ------
     Brother Crozier was born in the Parish of Killkeery, County of Tyrone, Ireland, December 28, 1797, and died in Rockport, Missouri, on the 9th of October, 1857.  He immigrated to America in 1818, and settled in Highland County, Ohio, in 1826.  In 1835 he married Miss Margaret Ann Page, of West Union, whose widowed heart now mourns the loss of the husband of her covenant and the companion of her pilgrimage.
     He was baptised in infancy, in the Church of England, and was brought up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord by one of the wisest and best of mothers.
     When fourteen years of age, he yielded to his Redeemer, and assumed the obligations of the covenant of baptism, in which he had been consecrated to God.
     His mother advised him to join the "Wesleyans," where enjoyed the inestimable priviledges of the class room, where every cloud was dispersed, and his soul was brought into marvelous light.
     Some twenty-five years ago he was duly licensed in this charge as a local Preacher, and was ordained Deacon in 1831, and Elder in 1836.  He was a solid, honest, earnest, solemn and effective preacher, and everywhere commanded respect as a man of God.
     He often traded to New Orleans, and amongst boatmen it was a proverb that Richard Crozier was the first man that ever carried the Bible below the falls of the Ohio River.
     He maintained the worship of God on his boat and was governed by the precepts of the Bible.  On one occasion on the Lower Mississippi, they had lost the day of the week, and seeing almost everybody hunting, fishing or target shooting, he neared the shore and asked them "what day of the week is this?" (presuming it way some great holiday, and on receiving the reply " it is Sunday," he instantly ordered the boat rounded to, tied up, and "kept the Sabbath according to the commandments."
     Brother Crozier was eminently patriotic and loyal, placing the Starry Flag of his adopted country only below the Cross of the Redeemer.  He aided the Government in putting down the rebellion in every possible way.  He protested by letter to President Lincoln against bringing any battle on the Sabbath--regarding the disaster of Bull Run as a Providential rebuke for breaking the Sabbath day.  He rejoiced exceedingly at the Emancipation Proclamation, which elevated to the immunities of manhood four millions of slaves, and he promptly joined in the pursuit of the rebel Morgan in his flight through Ohio.
     He was eminently devoted to the sick, and often during the prevalence of cholera fearlessly waited on the neglected sufferers.
     Brother Crozier had been absent from home for some six months improving his lands in Iowa, and preparing for the removal of his family there; but on the way home he was suddenly taken ill, and after some three days illness died at Rockport, Missouri, at the residence of Bro. R. L. Stivers where he received every possible attention.  Just before he died, he said to his son Charlie, a lad of seventeen, who was weeping at his bedside:  "Don't you see that blessed smile; all, all is well;  all will be right in Heaven!"  And with his manly countenance radiant with the reflected light of his Maker's smile, he passed from the matchless beauties of the mighty West to Paradise, his happy soul leaving the impression of his parting smile on the insensate clay.
     On leaving his grave, one our most prominent and wealthy citizens, himself not a religious man, said to me:  "You have, sir, just buried as honest and upright man as ever lived anywhere.  I have been associated with him in business, and know what I am talkin."
     Such a testimonial was a just tribute to the stern and steady integrity, which made him so distinguished among men, compelling the acknowledgement that "the Christian is the highest style of man."  His example and prayers are more valuable to his family than the wealth and broad lands he bequeathed them;  whilst the church may well be proud of such specimens of her culture and her care.
                     GRANVILLE MOODY"