The Cruces

Nathaniel H. Cruce was born April 6, 1857 on a farm near Clinton, Mo. At the age of 14 years he accepted a clerkship in a retail store where he remained two years. He attended the public schools and during each vacation would occupy his position with the same firm. After graduation from the State Normal School he came to Cedar County in 1881 and located one and a half miles east of the spring. N.H. and his brother W.P. were running a large sheep ranch, until the excitement caused by the wonderful cures of the Hightower family brought hundreds of people to the spring.

Interior of the Cruce Brothers Bank

In Julv. 1881. the townsite of El Dorado Springs was surveyed and the building of the Wonder City began. N.H. gave his entire time to the advancement of El Dorado Springs through various business enterprises. The two Cruce brothers and a cousin, J.C. Cruce, organized the first bank, known as Cruce Brothers, Bankers, in 1884. N.H. served as cashier until 1905. Property owned by N.H. at his death in 1925 is listed: First National Bank Building; the Opera House Block; The Cruce Row, consisting of six business rooms, the Park Cafe and Post Office Building; the Park Bakery, Roe's Book Store, Odell's Grocery, and Dr. Royston's office building. Also listed was property at Texico, N.M., Port Lavaca, Tex., and vacant lots in El Dorado Springs and elsewhere.

N.H. was a philanthropist, always on the list of those contributing to the many good causes in town. He also served on the school board and picnic committees.

W.P. Cruce was born at Clinton, Mo. on Nov. 10, 1863, but was taken to Warrensburg, Mo. to reside when quite young. He attended the high school and later the State Normal School at Warrensburg. In 1879 he entered the mercantile business, but the next year came to Cedar County with his brother to raise sheep.

In 1886 he became assistant cashier in the Cruce Banking Company. Although only 19 when the town was founded, it is said that W.P. or Payton, took a deep interest and contributed much in the way of time and money to guarantee it's growth. Payton was a strong Democrat and was active in politics both locally and statewide. He never married and made his home with N.H. until his death in 1904 of a ruptured appendix.