Portrait of John Cruso (Jnr), Leek

Description:John Cruso Senior was a lawyer in Leek from the 1780s. His son John followed him into the profession and by 1817 he was a partner in his father's firm. When the elder man died in 1841, John Jnr moved into the house at the north end of the Market Place his father had bought from Thomas Mills in 1819 (known later as Foxlowe).
Mr Cruso continued to practise law until a few years before his death. He was also local director of the Leek branch of the Manchester and Liverpool District Banking Company between 1861 and 1867. His widow, his second wife lived until 1893, and was known for her support of local good causes and charities. Her most important legacy was the founding of the Cruso Nursing Fund.