John P. Croser
John P. Croser [1]
a distinguished Baptist philanthropist, was born in that part of Springfield now called West Dale, in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, January 13, 1793. At the age of fifteen he united with the First Baptist Church in Philadelphia, and at twenty-eight commenced the struggle of life, which eventuated in a career of great success in business. Mr. Croser's interest in the kingdom of Christ early developed itself, and was exhibited in labors and contributions to the Bible and tract societies, the temperance and anti- slavery causes, foreign missions, and especially in the cause of education. He subscribed liberally in aid of the Lewisburg University, gave ten thousand dollars to the American Baptist Publication Society for a Sunday- school Library Fund, and five thousand dollars to purchase books for poor ministers. As wealth increased, so did his benevolence grow more expansive, and his donations flowed in ῥ a steady stream in every direction. He died March 11, 1866. He perpetuates his memory through the fifty- thousand-dollar memorial fund for missions among the colored people of the country, and through the theological institution at Upland, Pennsylvania, which bears his name. See Dr. J. Wheaton Smith's Life of J.P. Croser. (J.C.S.)
