My Genealogy Hound

HALE E. CROSBY, a retired farmer residing in Three Oaks, was born in the village of Ashburnham, Worcester County Mass., October 15, 1816. The family of which he is an honored representative was for many successive generations closely identified with the history of New England, and has contributed to our country some of its most influential citizens. Tracing the family lineage back to the arrival of the first member in the United States, we find that in 1635 there arrived on the vessel “Susan & Ellyn” one Simon Crosby, aged twenty-six, and Ann, his wife, aged twenty-five. They settled in Cambridge, where he became one of the Selectmen, and resided until his death in 1639. It is supposed that he brought considerable money to this country with him, as he acquired the ownership of a large amount of land.

In the family of Simon and Ann Crosby there were three children, Thomas, Simon and Joseph. From the second of these we trace the lineage through Josiah; then through Josiah, of Billerica Mass., who was killed by the Indians; and Josiah, of Amherst, N. H., to Fitch, the father of our subject. Grandfather Crosby was for a time engaged in the wars with the Indians on the Connecticut River, and afterward became a captain in the Revolutionary War, participating in the battle of Bunker Hill and other noted engagements. He married Miss Sarah Fitch, who was born March 25, 1732, their marriage being solemnized August 23, 1750.

Fitch Crosby was born in Milford, N. H., July 14, 1773, and learned the trade of a clothier in Concord, Mass. He established himself first at Acworth and later, in 1800, went to Ashburnham, Mass., where for some time he carried on his business, cultivating at the same time a small farm. On the 1st of March, 1798, he married Miss Rebecca, daughter of Josiah Davis. She was born December 7, 1778, and died on the 20th of May, 1857, having been an invalid for many years prior to her decease. She was an earnest Christian woman and was a devoted wife and an affectionate mother. Mr. Crosby was also a good and pious man, possessing a calm and equable disposition and upright character. He passed away on the 17th of March, 1852.

In the family of which our subject is a member there were three children: Charles, who died in Massachusetts at the advanced age of four-score and one years; Josiah D., who was a minister in the Congregational Church in Massachusetts, and died in June, 1888, aged eighty-one years; and Hale E., who is the only survivor of the family. The last-named was reared in Ashburnham, Mass., and was educated in the public schools of that place. At the age of sixteen years he went to Lowell, Mass., as an apprentice in the office of the Lowell Observer, and he afterward was employed in the office of Gould & Newman, at Andover, Mass. From there he went to Concord, N. H., and carried on his studies in the Concord Literary Institution.

After leaving school Mr. Crosby commenced the publication of an anti-slavery paper called the Herald of Freedom, which was edited by N. P. Rogers and was one of the most radical papers of its kind. For about three years our subject was identified with the Herald of Freedom, after which he purchased a stock of goods and opened a store in Ashby, Mass., removing thence to Fisherville, N. H., where he engaged in the mercantile business for two years.

In 1844 Mr. Crosby went to New Buffalo, Mich., where he superintended the selling out of a stock of goods that he and his father-in-law had at that place. When that work was finished he located upon a farm in what is now the eastern part of New Buffalo Township. He purchased the property from J. P. Brown, who had entered it from the Government. Upon locating there he at once commenced the work of clearing the land, which was in its original wild condition. At first he bought only eighty acres, paying therefor about $2 per acre, but as frequently as convenient he added to the property until his landed possessions aggregated three hundred acres. He continued to live at that place from 1845 until 1886, when he removed to Three Oaks and has since made his home in this village.

The marriage of Mr. Crosby took place on the 1st of November, 1838, his bride being Miss Mary Chamberlain, who was born in Pembroke, N. H., November 3, 1818, and was the daughter of Moses Chamberlain. A family of six children came to bless their home, three of whom are living, namely: Josiah B., who enlisted in the service of the Union in 1861, before he had attained his majority, and served until the close of the war, holding the rank of a non-commissioned ofcer, and who is now living near the old homestead; Henry C., who resides on the home farm in New Buffalo Township; and John A., a practicing physician of Minneapolis, Minn. Mr. Crosby has an adopted daughter, Elenora, who makes her home with him and tenderly cares for him in his declining years. The deceased children are Charles and William, each of whom died at the age of about one year, and an infant that died unnamed. On the 7th of January, 1890, the family suffered an irreparable loss in the death of the loving wife and mother, who was a woman of saintly character. She was a member of the Congregational Church, devoted to the cause of religion, and during the late war was tireless in her efforts to supply provisions, clothing, etc., for the soldiers.

In former years Mr. Crosby was an Abolitionist, and after the organization of the Republican party he identified himself with it, remaining an adherent of its principles until the election of Cleveland, since which time he has been independent, casting his ballot for the best men and the best interests, irrespective of party. For a number of years he represented the township of New Buffalo on the County Board of Supervisors and served as its Chairman for one year. In 1866-67 he represented Berrien County in the State Legislature, where his services were eminently satisfactory to his constituency. While filling that position the Agricultural College was founded, and he gave to that movement his hearty support. He also advocated the law encouraging the school districts to purchase Webster’s Dictionary for school purposes, and was a member of the Committee of Education. He was one of the organizers of the Congregational Church at New Buffalo and has served as a Deacon in the church, taking a deep interest in the work of the church and Sunday-school. Mr. Crosby never used intoxicating liquors or tobacco in any form, nor tea nor coffee. In early boyhood he formed the habit of using only cold water as a beverage and continued the habit through life.