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Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott
for the US Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/

Portrait and Biographical Record of Muskegon and Ottawa Counties,
Michigan: containing biographical sketches of prominent and
representative citizens and of the presidents of the United States.
Chicago: Biographical Pub. Co., 1893

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Page 276

E. G. CROSBY, an energetic and prosperous citizen of Muskegon, Mich.,
senior partner of the well-known firm of E. G. Crosby & Co., Government
contractors and builders of piers and dry docks and owners of the best tug
and scow line of Lake Michigan, has been a resident of the Wolverine State
from boyhood.  Our subject is a native of Ontario, N.Y., and was born in
1842.  His father, Warren Crosby, a native of New England, born in
Massachusetts, emigrated to the West, and died in Michigan.  His mother,
Louisa (Lincoln) Crosby, was the descendant of an intelligent and patriotic
ancestry.  The Crosbys, of Scotch origin, were represented in America in a
very early day and were numbered among the substantial and enterprising
citizens of New England when this country was yet in its infancy.  Passing
his boyhood days in Ontario County, N.Y., Mr. Crosby also pursued a course
of study in Lima College, for two years enjoying the benefits of
instruction in that excellent institution.  In 1866*, removing to the West,
our subject settled in Lenawee County, Mich., and remained there until the
breaking out of the Civil War*.

In 1861, the name of E. G. Crosby was enrolled as enlisting in Company E,
First Michigan Cavalry, which, commanded by Col. Broadhead, was assigned to
the Army of the Potomac.  With courage our subject participated in the
decisive battles of the campaign, fighting in the engagements of the
Wilderness, second battle of Bull Run, Antietam, Gettysburg, and many other
fights and skirmishes.  Mustered out in 1864, he re-enlisted in the spring
of 1865 in Hancock's corps of old veterans, commanded by Col. Hancock, and
was again mustered out in the summer of 1865.  Immediately after the close
of the war Mr. Crosby went to Hudson, Mich., where until 1869 he was
variously engaged.  At the latter date he removed to Whitehall, Mich., and
after a stay of two years permanently located in Muskegon.  In 1881, our
subject embarked in the tug business and later, adding scows, found his
investment an assured success.  In his work as a contractor he has dealt
mainly with the Government, constructing a large amount of public piers and
dockage.  He is now building the Government Pier at the entrance of

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Page 277

Muskegon Harbor.  Mr. Crosby regularly employs about seventy men and does
an extensive business, yielding him annually a handsome income.

Politically a Republican and well posted in local and national affairs, he
is an ardent advocate of the "Party of Reform."  He is, fraternally, a mem-
ber of Phil Kearney Post No. 7, G. A. R., and much enjoys the re-unions of
the order.  Mr. Crosby married in early life Miss Catherine Halstead, a
native of the East and born in the State of New York.  Our subject and his
worthy wife have been blessed with one son and one daughter, Fred and
Hattie.  The pleasant family residence, located at No. 74 Ransom Sreet,
Muskegon, is well known to a large circle of old-time friends, Mr. and Mrs.
Crosby both actively sharing in the good work and benevolent enterprises of
their home city, where they receive universal respect and sincere regard.
Our subject has self-reliantly won his upward way to financial prosperity,
and is now numbered among the leading business men of Muskegon County who
have by untiring efforts gained a competence within the borders of the
Wolverine State.

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*Transcriber's note: Entry of "1866" is not a typo and is exactly as it
appears in this volume.