Clark, Robert Carlton, Ph.D. "History of the Willamette Valley Oregon."  Vol. 3.
Chicago: Chapman Publishing Company, 1927. p. 132.

EDWARD M. CROISAN

     The name of Edward M. Croisan is well known to the residents of Salem, for
he has spent his life in this locality, bearing his full share of the work of
upbuilding and progress, and he is a representative of pioneer families whose
records are inseparably associated with the history of the development of the
Willamette Valley. He was born March 27, 1855, three miles southwest of Salem,
and his forbears were Huguenots. The name was originally Croisant, but as the
letter t was silent, it was eventually dropped. Owing to their religious
convictions Mr. Croisan's ancestors were expelled from France and took refuge in
Germany.
     His father, John Henry Croisan, was born in Munchin, Germany, in 1812 and
was employed as a butcher in that country. The paternal grandfather of Edward M.
Croisan was a jeweler and in 1839 sailed for the United States. While traveling
up the Mississippi river from New Orleans, Louisiana, to Peru, Illinois, he died
of yellow fever and was buried near the bank of the stream, after which the
steamer proceeded on its northward course with his widow and children.
     His son, John H. Croisan, had remained in Germany to dispose of the jewelry
business and in 1840 made the voyage to America. He lived for about six years in
Illinois and in 1846 joined a company of emigrants bound for Oregon and
California. There were seventy-two wagons in the train and the party consisted
of one hundred and thirty men, sixty-five women and one hundred and twenty-five
children. They drove their cattle across the plains and had over seven hundred
head of stock. Many of the wagon covers were painted with signs showing their
destination and the train was in charge of Colonel W. H. Russell, whose
assistant was Captain Jacobs. It was during this journey that John H. Croisan
met Mary Hall and on June 18, 1846, they were married by the Rev. J. A.
Cornwall. Ten days later they arrived at Fort Laramie, Wyoming, and on July 8
they reached Independence Rock. They decided to follow the southern route to
Oregon, while the Donners and other families continued on toward California, and
it was these people who were delayed by heavy storms in the mountains and
reduced to cannibalism before they were rescued. John H. Croisan traveled across
the plains with Jesse Boone, a great-grandson of Daniel Boone, and it was in
honor of that young man that the town of Boone's Ferry, Oregon, was afterward
named. Mr. Croisan went ahead with Captain Dunbar's company and the Indians
ambushed them at Tule Lake. One member of the party was killed by the redskins
and others were seriously injured. The progress of the emigrants was slow and
laborious, and their route was beset with obstacles which would have proven
insuperable to men of lesser strength and fortitude. At times they traveled
along the bed of a stream through a canyon, with the oxen struggling and
slipping over the smooth boulders, and the wagons were frequently overturned.
They expected to reach the Willamette Valley by October 1 or sooner but the
middle of November found them making their slow and toilsome way northward in
Douglas county. In southern Oregon they ran out of provisions and Mr. Croisan
and Mr. Boone volunteered to journey on horseback to Linn City, applying for aid
to Dr. McLoughlin, whose flour mill was situated at the falls of the Willamette.
They informed the Doctor that they had no money but were told to take all the
flour they needed and went back with six heavily laden pack horses. On their
return they noticed some Indians waiting on the bluff of the river and rode
boldly forward with their guns in their hands, ready for instant action, but
this maneuver intimidated the savages; who quietly withdrew. In coining through
the canyon a man named Newton fell behind the rest of the party and was
persuaded by three Umpquas to camp in a certain place where they promised him an
abundance of wood and game. Mr. Newton loaned his gun to one of the Indians, who
agreed to bring him a deer. As he sat waiting near the entrance to his tent he
fell asleep and the redskin crept up and shot him with his own rifle.
     After incredible hardships the emigrants finally reached the Willamette
Valley and Mr. Croisan and his bride camped near Corvallis. They remained in
Benton county until February, 1847, and then came to Salem. Mr. Croisan worked
for the Methodist mission, hauling logs for their sawmill in. North Salem, and
soon afterward took up a donation claim of six hundred and forty acres three
miles southwest of Salem. This was rich bottom land, abounding in deer and
grouse, and the Indians had cleared a large portion of the tract. In the fall of
1848 Mr. Croisan went to California in company with his brother-in-law, Joseph
Smith, and mined on the Feather river with success. He then returned to Marion
county and devoted the remainder of his life to the development of the
homestead. He passed away September 14, 1875, and was long survived by his wife,
whose demise occurred on June 9, 1912. She was a native of Illinois and a
daughter of Reason B. Hall, a Kentuckian, who laid out the town of Buena Vista
on his donation claim in Polk county, Oregon. In 1849 he operated the first
ferry across the Willamette river and continued to reside on the claim at Buena
Vista until his death, after which the property was divided and sold. John H.
and Mary (Hall) Croisan were the parents of six children: Martha, who became the
wife of Albert Wilson; George; Caroline, who married John Bushnell; Edward M.;
Henrietta; and Clara, who became Mrs. Ray Farmer, of Salem. All were born on the
old donation land claim except George, who was a native of Buena Vista and
married Verbenia Clark.
     Edward M. Croisan was graduated from the Salem high school and among his
instructors were Mrs. Price, Fannie Case and Professor Daniels. He was reared
 on the homestead and aided in its operation for a number of years. In 1884 he
was appointed deputy sheriff and acted in that capacity for six years. In 1888
he was elected sheriff and served for two terms, making a highly creditable
record. On retiring from the office he resumed the occupation of farming and for
a time specialized in the growing of hops. For two years he was superintendent
of a training school for boys and also organized the Croisan Implement Company.
He next turned his attention to financial affairs and was elected vice president
of the Capital National Bank, laboring earnestly and effectively for the success
of that institution, of which he was acting president for six months. In 1903
Mr. Croisan became a member of the state senate and served until 1905. He was
instrumental in securing the passage of much constructive legislation and
introduced the bill to appropriate money for the purchase of land on which to
create Champoeg Park. This was senate bill, No. 48, and passed in 1905. After
completing his term Mr. Croisan returned to agricultural pursuits, which-he
followed until June, 1926, when he was appointed collector of customs, district
of Oregon, which comprises all of Oregon and a part of the state of Washington.
He performs his duties with characteristic thoroughness and fidelity and meets
every requirement of the office.
     Mr. Croisan was married December 22, 1886, to Miss Ella McNary, a native of
The Dalles and a daughter of Alexander W. McNary, a representative of one of the
old and prominent families of Oregon. Mr. Croisan is a republican, stanchly
supporting the party. He belongs to the Masonic order and has been a member of
Salem Lodge, No. 4, F. & A. M., since 1878. He is also connected with the
chapter council, commandery and shrine and closely observes the beneficent
teachings of the craft. He has an intimate knowledge of Oregon's history and his
conversation is enriched with many interesting anecdotes of the early days. The
exercise of effort has kept him alert and although he has passed the Psalmist's
allotted span of three score years and ten, he has a keen zest for life, still
retaining the spirit of youth. Time has proven his worth and a genial, kindly
nature has drawn to him a host of steadfast friends.
     
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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in April 2011 by Diana Smith.  Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.