My Genealogy Hound

Joseph I. Crossett, a valuable farmer and citizen of Fayette County, Tenn., was born in Chester County, S. C., August 26, 1824, and is a son of Joseph and Mary (Wilson) Crossett, both natives of South Carolina. The father was of Irish descent and born in 1793, and died at Moscow, in Fayette County, April 17, 1837. The mother was born in 1799 and died September 15, 1850, in Fayette County. They married in South Carolina about 1819, and in 1826 moved to Carroll County, Tenn., where they lived seven years. In 1833 they moved to Fayette County and settled in Moscow, where they lived until they died. The father was a successful mechanic, and both parents were worthy members of the Old School Presbyterian Church. Our subject is the third of seven children. By his own efforts he secured a good practical education in his youth. His father died when he was but thirteen years old, and the care of his mother and four sisters devolved upon him. He was but a child when his parents moved to Fayette County, and has always made it his home. He and a younger brother cared for their mother until her death. Mr. Crossett commenced life without any money, and had a hard struggle but, owing to temperate habits and industry, met eventually with flattering success. In the spring of 1850 he bought a farm of 120 acres in the Twelfth District, two miles northwest of Moscow, joining the place where he now lives. In 1866 he was elected magistrate in this district, and held the office for twelve years. Mr. Crossett is a man honored for his integrity and kindness, possessing many noble traits of character. He has never used liquor or tobacco in any form, and has never been at law with his neighbors. He now owns over 700 acres of good land in Fayette County, a cotton-gin, etc. January 14, 1847, he married Miss Arrozene Goodwin, who was born near Huntsville, Ala., May 18, 1821. Four sons and two daughters were born to this union; two sons are dead. Mr. Crossett is a sound Democrat and an influential and worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. Mrs. Crossett is a Cumber land Presbyterian and three of the children belong to the Methodist Church. In the spring of 1862 Mr. Crossett entered the Confederate Army, in Company H, Thirty-eighth Tennessee Regiment of Infantry, commanded by Col. E. F. Looney. He was made first lieutenant. The regiment was organized at Corinth, Miss., and was engaged in the battle of Shiloh. Soon after this battle Mr. Crossett was taken sick and returned home, receiving a discharge in July, but in November, 1863, he returned to the service, joining Forrest’s cavalry, enlisting in Col. Rufus Neely’s regiment, where he remained until the war closed. He was made forage-master during Hood’s raid at Corinth, and served in this capacity until the close of the war; then returned home, and resumed farming.