Biographical sketch extracted from:

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887. pp. 894-895.

EZRA C. CROASDALE, farmer, section 15, Liberty Township, was born in Warren County, Ohio, October 31, 1820, youngest son of Joseph and Lydia (Crosley) Croasdale. His father died before be was born, and while he was an infant his mother removed to Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, where he was reared on a farm, receiving his education in the common schools. When he was ten years of age his mother died, and he went to live with a Quaker by the name of Knight, with whom he remained until he was sixteen years of age. He then worked in various places for about four years, then shipped aboard a coasting vessel for the West Indies, where he was taken sick and obliged to remain nearly a year. He then returned to North Carolina, thence to New York and up the Hudson River to Skaneateles, where he remained eight months, and then returned to Philadelphia for two years, thence to Clinton County, Ohio, where he was married December 9, 1845, to Miss Ruth Ann Walker, daughter of Robert and Elizabeth (Ruland) Walker, who were natives of Kentucky and came to Ohio in an early day. After his marriage he remained in Clinton County seven years, five years of the time being engaged in selling goods. In October, 1852, they came to Indiana, settling in Huntington County, where they lived three years, then came to Wells County, where Mr. Croasdale purchased eighty acres of partially improved land on section 15, Liberty Township, where he has resided thirty-three years. He has since added eighty acres, and now owns 123 acres of well improved and well cultivated land. Mr. and Mrs. Croasdale have had six children—Nathan R., Robert W., Susanna, wife of Henry Mendenhall, and now deceased, Amos (deceased), Elizabeth Ellen, wife of James Barcus, and Lydia J. Nathan R. married Miss Jane Hartley, March 12, 1875, and they have two children—Alfred and Annie Emily. Robert W. married Martha Clowser, January 1, 1873, and they had two children—Ezra Demint and Robert Henry. His wife died October 1, 1875, and he was married again to Eliza Jane Ernst, July 25, 1878. They have three children—Augustus Amos, Charles Clinton and Minnie. Mr. and Mrs. Croasdale are members of the Christian church, and politically he affiliates with the Republican party. He is a self-made man, having earned all he has by industry and economy.