The History of the Yakima Valley, Washington, Comprising Yakima, Kittitas and Benton Counties, The S.J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1919, Volume II, page 413 EDWARD D. CROSSMAN. Edward D. Crossman, an enterprising and successful orchardist living near Zillah. was born in New Brunswick, Canada, January 18, 1857, a son of William and Olive (Lewis) Crossman. The father was born in Canada of English parentage and devoted his life to agricultural pursuits. Both he and his wife have passed away. Their son, Edward D. Crossman, obtained a public school education but when only twelve years of age went to Boston, living with an uncle in that city for two years. He afterward returned to the home farm, on which he worked until he reached the age of eighteen and his youthful experiences and training well qualified him for life's practical and responsible duties. On again leaving home he went to Maine, where he was employed in the lumber woods, and later he worked at various points in New England until about 1879, when he removed westward to Minnesota, settling in St. Louis county, that state. There he was again employed in the lumber woods and later he conducted a hotel at Ely, Minnesota, for a period of sixteen years, winning substantial success while thus engaged. Eventually he sold out and came to the Yakima valley, where he purchased forty-four acres of land a mile and three-quarters northwest of Zillah. The tract of which he acquired ownership was covered with sagebrush, which he at once began to clear away. As his land was plowed and prepared for cultivation he planted orchards and for two years he had to haul water with a team in order to irrigate his trees. He then got water on the place and now has forty-four acres in orchard, seven acres in pears, two acres in prunes, an acre in peaches and thirty-four acres in apples. His trees are all in bearing, producing fruit of fine size and flavor because of the progressive methods which Mr. Crossman follows in the care of the trees. He has built a good packing house upon his place, so that he is able to ship the fruit in excellent condition. He has always practiced economy as well as industry in the management of his place and has freed it from all indebtedness. Today he has one of the best orchards of the state and is enjoying well earned success and prosperity. In 1881 Mr. Crossman was married to Miss Addie Dupee, a native of Michigan, and their children were: Sadie, the wife of Earl Price, by whom she has a daughter, the family residing in Wenatchee, Washington: Myrtle, the wife of M. J. Friend, of Seattle: and William, who died at the age of two years. Politically Mr. Crossman is a republican but his time and activities have never been given to politics. His attention has been concentrated upon the development of his ranch property and his well directed activity is manifest in the fact that he is now building a fine house and barn and to his place has added all modern equipment and accessories of the model farm property of the northwest. ******************************** Submitted to the Washington Bios Project in December 2007 by Jeffrey L. Elmer. Submitter has no additional information about the subject of this article.