JAMES B. CROSSEN. – Mr. Crossen is the present postmaster at The Dalles, and was born August 11, 1838, at Donegal, Ireland. This was his residence until he emigrated to America in 1849 and made his home with his parents in New York City until of age. In 1859 he crossed the Isthmus to California, and resided at Callaghan’s Ranch for four years, going from thence to Idaho, where he engaged in business at Placerville until 1863. Seeking a new location, he cast his eyes with hope towards the State of Oregon, and selected The Dalles as the most eligible point for business and residence, and has remained there until the present time. Mr. Crossen has ever occupied responsible positions in public life. He was elected sheriff of Wasco county in 1876, and was re-elected in 1878 and in 1884, thus serving three full terms. He was also elected twice to the city council of The Dalles. In the interim he followed merchandising and auctioneering until, in 1886, he was appointed postmaster, a position which he now fills.
In 1863 he married Miss Frances H.C. Gray of Portland, Maine, who bore him three children, two of whom are now living, – grace e., born in 1867, and James a., born in 1864. His wife Frances dying in 1870, he was married secondly in 1872 to Laura Alice Martin, his present wife, and the mother of his two youngest children, G.W. and Emily A.
Mr. Crossen has been continuously and is now actively engaged in business pursuits, and is closely identified with the interests of The Dalles and of Wasco county.