My Genealogy Hound

CHARLES R. CROSBY is a progressive merchant of Portland, carrying, in addition to a regular stock of merchandise, a big supply of flour and feed. The Crosby family was originally English but has been in America for several generations. Charles R. Crosby is a son of Ervin S. and Harriet E. (Shaver) Crosby, and was born in the town of Portland, Chautauqua county, New York, November 8, 1839. His grandfather was Luther Crosby, a native of Connecticut, from which place he came and settled in this town in 1816, buying a farm which he tilled for many years. He went to Boone county, Illinois, in 1843, where he died in 1855, aged eighty years. His wife was Amy Salsbury, who came from Rhode Island, and by whom he had twelve children. Ervin S. Crosby was born in Otsego county, New York, in 1809. When seven years of age his father brought him to Portland, where he lived for fifty years. He was a carpenter and Joiner by trade, which he followed all his life, all of which was spent in this town excepting ten years when he lived in Akron, Ohio. Many of the buildings of this locality are specimens of his handiwork. He died here in 1876, when sixty-seven years of age. Mr. Crosby was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and a democrat, although formerly a whig. He married Harriet E. Shaver, who came from Schoharie county, this State, where she was born in 1809. She died in 1874, consoled by the faith of the Methodist church. They had eight children.

Charles R. Crosby was reared in Portland, and was educated in her schools, and after gaining sufficient education began life as a clerk in a mercantile house at Portland. In 1861, he enlisted in Co. D, 9th regiment, New York Cavalry, with the rank of sergeant. He served one year and was mustered out on account of impaired health, but after recovering he engaged in farming, which he followed for twenty-five years. In 1887, he opened a grocery and feed store and his business ability has enabled him to build up a good trade. He carries a nice stock of the best grades in his line. Since 1880, he has given a good share of his attention to grape culture and still grows a large quantity each year.

In 1861, he united in marriage with Delia Webster, a daughter of Jason Webster, well-known in Portland town, and their union has been blessed with seven children, three sons and four daughters: Townsend W., Carrie M., Hattie D., Carlton L., Archie D., Lottie M. and Bessie E.

C. R. Crosby is a member of the Congregational church and of Lodge, No. 219, F. & A. M., of Westfield; Portland Lodge, No. 461, Knights of Honor, Equitable Aid Union and J. A. Hall Post, No. 292, of the G. A. R. He affiliates with the Democratic party and has held the office of justice of the peace for twelve years.