M. B. Crosby, BiographyPorter County biographical sketches . . . .
Transcribed biography of M. B. Crosby
M. B. CROSBY, a native of Putnam County, N. Y., was born November 17, 1809, and is one of eight children, five of whom are yet living, born to Zenas and Sally (Chapman) Crosby, who were also natives of Putnam County. M. B. Crosby was reared on a farm; moved to Ontario County, N. Y., when a young man, and married Philura Freeman, in Connecticut, in October 1834. They resided in Ontario County, N. Y., farming until the spring of 1836, when they moved to Michigan City, and the next summer, went to Crown Point, Lake Co., Ind., where he farmed until June, 1839; thence moved to Porter County, locating in Washington Township, where he cleared and farmed until 1846, when he traded his farm for what was known as the Cheney Flouring Mill. He ran that seven years, then sold out; moved to Valparaiso, and for one year was in the dry good trade in partnership with J. N. Skinner. He and S. G. Hass then built a large brick steam saw and flouring mill, which they operated five years. In this venture Mr. Crosby lost $5,000, but nevertheless, he bought the mill he know owns. In connection with the mill, which is in charge of his son, Mr. Crosby runs a flour and feed store, and throughout his diversified business career, has been very successful. He and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church, and Mr. Crosby was one of two male members who helped organize that church in Valparaiso. He is a Republican in politics; is self-made, and he and wife were parents of five children - Harrietta, Enoch, Emma J., now wife of Hon. S. S. Skinner, Freeman and Edwin Van S. The two elders and the youngest of these are dead.
Source: Goodspeed, Weston A., and Charles Blanchard. 1882. Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana: Historical and Biographical, Illustrated. Chicago, Illinois: F. A. Battey & Company. 771 p.
Page(s) in Source: 240
This biography has been transcribed exactly as it was originally published in the source. Please note that we do not provide photocopies or digital scans of biographies appearing on this website.
Biography transcribed by Steven R. Shook