Crouse, John Robert, 1874-1946.

Promoter of electricity, founder of the Society for Electrical Development, and supporter of the principle of cooperation in electricity and other industries.

From the description of John Robert Crouse papers, 1905-1932. (University of Michigan). WorldCat record id: 34419998

John Robert Crouse, Sr., was born January 1, 1874 in Hartland, Michigan, son of John Bernard and Betsy Westfall Crouse. His early childhood was spent in Hartland. He moved to Cleveland, Ohio with his family, where he graduated from Central High School of Cleveland in 1893. After graduation from the University of Michigan in 1897 he joined his father, J.B. Crouse, and his uncle, H.A. Tremaine, in Ohio in the Fostoria Incandescent Lamp Company.

In 1901 they created the National Electric Lamp Association which eventually merged with General Electric. Crouse's greatest contribution to the electrical industry was his vision of cooperation. He worked hard for this ideal as founder and director of the Society for Electrical Development and in working to bring together into a cooperative organization the manufacturers of electric refrigerators.

Crouse had many other business and philanthropic interests, including the establishment of the Waldenwoods cooperative camp located near Hartland, Michigan. He died July 18, 1946.

From the guide to the John Robert Crouse papers, 1905-1932, (Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan)