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Compiled by John H. Wheeler Published in 1903 by B. F. Bowen Biography Page 124 - 126 |
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THOMAS W. CROSBY
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In the respect that is accorded to men who have fought their way to success, possibly through unfavorable environment, we find an unconscious recognition of the intrinsic worth of a character which not only can endure so rough a test, but gain new strength through the discipline. 'The subject of this review, Thomas W. Crosby, was not favored by inherited wealth or the assistance of influential friends, but in spite of this, by perseverance, industry and a wise economy, he has attained a comfortable station in life. He is a native of Ohio, born in Lucas county, October 26, 1836. His parents were Van Rensselaer and Lucinda (Blackman) Crosby, the former, who had been a soldier in the war of 1812, dying about 1879, while his wife died about 1880. The subject's grandfather, Elarcom Crosby, fought in the war of the Revolution and saw General Washington many times. Thomas W. Crosby, the subject of this review, was reared in his native county of Lucas and there he spent the first twenty-six years of his life. Mind and body were both well cared for. He was well schooled in all of the common branches of education and his life of industry on the farm was productive of desirable physical development. December 22, 1862, he enlisted in the United States service, in Company K, One Hundred and Twenty-eighth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and saw service also in the Fourteenth Ohio Infantry, his commands being assigned to the Army of the Potomac. At the close of the war, the latter part of April, 1865, the regiment was mustered out of the service, Mr. Crosby receiving an honorable discharge at Camp Chase, Columbus, Ohio, July 17, 1865. Returning from the field, he again took up his residence in Lucas county, Ohio, and devoted himself to farming until I871, when he moved to Big Rapids, Michigan, where he remained until February, 1872. when he located in Wexford county and devoted himself to his calling of a millwright, a business he had become skilled in before entering the United States service. In 1877, he purchased eighty acres of land in section 35, Haring township, where he established a home and where he has since resided, devoting himself entirely to farming. His place is well improved and he has erected thereon good, substantial buildings. On the 22d day of May, 1865, in Lucas county, Ohio, Thomas W. Crosby was united in marriage to Miss Jane D. Heath, a native of Ohio, born in Holmes county, May 22, 1845, the daughter of Nehimiah Heath, also a native of Ohio. To Mr. and Mrs. Crosby four children were born, viz: Charles, Jennie, Minnie and Milo. Jennie died when nineteen years of age; Minnie is the wife of Merton Morford, a resident of Cadillac and in the employ of the Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad, and they have one child, Kenneth. Thomas W. Crosby has been actively interested in all movements designed for the public good and the development of the township and county in which he resides. He served for a length of time as president of the Wexford County Agricultural Society, has been supervisor of Haring township, and has also been township treasurer. He is an unswerving Republican and has been such since the organization of that party. He is a most genial, companionable man, always disposed to look upon the bright side of life. He is possessed of a rich vein of humor and there are few situations that do not furnish him an opportunity of extracting there from little merriment for his own and his friends' benefit. The real calamity of his life came October 12, 1897, when his faithful and devoted wife, the mother of his children departed this life. He has been true to her memory in death as he was true and devoted to her in life. Mr. Crosby makes the principle of charity his religion and is ever ready to dispense to those who are in need or distress. He has not an exalted idea of the religion which is practiced by many of the so-called members of churches and says that many ministers have missed their calling and a monetary consideration is the only goal they are striving to reach. The following obituary notices will undoubtedly prove of interest to the reader: At midnight last Friday, October 12, 1897, Mrs. Jane D. Crosby, wife of T. W. Crosby, passed into rest, at the age of fifty two years and five months. She had been confined to her bed since last March from the illness which terminated her life, and for a period of about twenty-seven years her delicate health had caused anxiety to her relatives and friends. Her physical endurance finally succumbed to bronchial consumption, coupled with Bright's disease. Her patience and cheerfulness in the midst of suffering was a marvel to her many friends. With her husband and three small children, Mrs. Crosby came to this locality in 1872 and the beautiful farm home just east of the present city limits, wrought from what was then a wilderness, attests her thoughtful consideration and the splendid management of her household. She had very many friends with the people of this city, among whom she was regarded as one of the patient pioneers, and at whose suburban home they always found enjoyable entertainment. A few years ago her eldest daughter, Jennie Crosby, who was greatly beloved, was taken away by death. The funeral of Mrs. Crosby was held from the family home at two o'clock last Sunday afternoon and was attended by large gathering of people from the city and surrounding country. The ceremonies were conducted by Rev. N. S. Bradley, of the Congregational church. Miss Jennie Crosby, oldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. T. W. Crosby, died at the home of her parents, one mile east of this city, on last Thursday evening, March 8, 1888. She was born May 9, 1869, at White House, Lucas county, Ohio, and removed to this vicinity in 1872. During her life time in. this community Miss Jennie had become greatly endeared to all with whom she associated, and in her own home was beloved with all the devotion that could be bestowed upon a dutiful daughter and an affectionate sister. To her invalid mother she had become especially endeared as she every day strove to lessen the cares and duties that necessarily devolve upon the mistress of a farm household and to carry them herself even in the tender years of her girlhood. She was ever cheerful, happy and hopeful, and was always too active and solicitous for the happiness of others to be mindful of her own comfort or to have room in her heart for a selfish thought. Her death is a sad affliction to her bereaved parents, sister and two brothers. During her fatal illness, a disease of the heart. with which she was attacked on the 14th of December last, Jennie was patient and cheerful, though undergoing the most intense suffering, and. her thoughts and talks have been high and noble in the extreme. Her remains were laid at rest in our hillside cemetery on last Sabbath afternoon. The funeral at the family residence was attended by a large number of her young acquaintances from the city who deeply mourn her loss. |