The History of the Yakima Valley, Washington, Comprising Yakima, Kittitas and Benton Counties, The S.J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1919, Volume II, page 972 HORACE A. CROCKER & SONS. The remarkably rapid development which Washington has experienced in contradistinction to other western states is largely due to that sturdy element which is represented by the local agriculturists. These mostly came from the middle west and here have found the opportunities which in a more thickly settled section were denied them. Among these men who have made good here is Horace A. Crocker, a well known and prosperous rancher, who owns a valuable property three and a half miles west of Grandview, which is devoted to general agricultural pursuits. He and his sons have developed a farming property of the highest class and his substantial home and commodious barns bespeak the industry which has been bestowed upon the place. A native of Dane county, Wisconsin, Horace A. Crocker was born February 10, 1848, and is a son of John Russell and Jane (Lester) Crocker, the former born in New York and the latter in Michigan. His paternal grandfather, Benjamin Crocker, was a native of New York and was numbered among the early pioneers of Dane county Wisconsin, where for many years he followed the trade of a shoemaker but also farmed to a considerable extent. Throughout his life the father followed the latter occupation in Wisconsin but his death occurred at the home of a daughter in Minnesota. The mother passed away in Wisconsin. Horace A. Crocker was reared amid pioneer conditions in the middle west and in early life experienced the hardships connected with such a life. In the acquirement of an education he attended the rudimentary schools of his neighborhood but in 1879, having become thoroughly acquainted with all farming methods then in operation in his native state, he removed to Wadena county, Minnesota, where he bought land, and in that state he continued to engage in agricultural pursuits for thirty years. The year 1909 marked his arrival in Yakima county, his family accompanying him, and here he at first rented land, which he cultivated until 1915, when his sons bought a ranch three and a half miles west of Grandview, comprising twenty acres, in the management and operation of which he is now active. They raise corn, potatoes and hay and everything about the place indicates twentieth century enterprise. There is a good house and barn upon the place and the most modern farm machinery and equipment can be found there. On the 1st of February, 1870, Mr. Crocker was married to Miss Amelia Page, a native of Waterford, Wisconsin, and a daughter of David and Tryphosa (Tubbs) Page, who were natives of New York and became early pioneers of Wisconsin. Both parents are now deceased. The father was for many years engaged in agricultural pursuits in Racine county. To Mr. and Mrs. Crocker were born the following children: William Wyatt, who died at the age of thirteen months; Irvine Elmer, who died at the age of twenty-two years; Alva Adelbert, who was born August 28, 1877, and is a rancher; Roxcey, the wife of Leonard Nickerson, a rancher of Yakima county; and Clinton George, who was born in Minnesota, December 1, 1885, and is ranching with his brother, Alva Mr. Crocker and his family occupy a position of high esteem among their fellow citizens, having proven themselves industrious, thorough business men who do their part in the world. The family are socialists, being strongly imbued with the principles of social equality underlying that party. The father, although now seventy years of age, is still vigorous and active and has had his full share in raising the value of the farm property which is owned by him and the family. They are the best of neighbors, helpful and obliging, and have made many friends since coming here. ******************************** Submitted to the Washington Bios Project in January 2008 by Jeffrey L. Elmer. Submitter has no additional information about the subject of this article.