Durham, N. N.  "Spokane and the Inland Empire; History of the City of Spokane
and Spokane County Washington."  Vol. 3.  S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1912.  
p. 352.
 
J. FRANKLIN McCROSKEY

     Public spirit, strict attention to business and general success along all
lines of endeavor undertaken, characterize the career of J. Franklin McCroskey,
who though operating a farm of six hundred and forty acres of land in the
vicinity of the town is a resident of Oakesdale.  He was born in Monroe county,
Tennessee, January 9, 1860, a son of J. P. T. and Mary M. (Gallagher) McCroskey,
both natives of Tennessee.  His boyhood days were spent on the farm and in the
Glenloch Mills, and he received a fair education, attending the common and high
schools of the county until May, 1879.  At that time the parents came west to
California and in July of the same year moved to what is known as Tennessee
Flat, Whitman county, Washington, where the father took up a homestead and also
a claim under the timber culture laws, and there J. Franklin McCroskey remained,
assisting his father until after he had obtained titles to his land from the
United States government.  In 1880 the son began working on the Northern Pacific
Railroad and was also identified with the Oregon Railway & Navigation Company,
being thus employed until 1881.  During this period, however, in 1882, he filed
on a one hunded an sixty acre homestead three miles northwest of Oakesdale and
after maintaining his residence there and meeting the other requirements secured
title to this land from the government.  He continued increasing his holdings by
purchase until he had six hundred forty acres, ans still owns and operates four
hundred and eighty acres, most of which is in a high state of cultivation and is
equipped with many modern improvements.  He has been connected with the
Oakesdale State Bank as a stockholder and has been active in business and other
circles in Whitman county for many years.
     In Olympia, Washington, on the 25th of December, 1899, Mr. McCroskey was
united in marriage to Miss Virginia Bushnell, a native of Missouri and a
daughter of Emanuel and Mary (Watson) Bushnell.  To them have been born two
children, Keith Bushnell and Franklin.  In his fraternal relations Mr. McCroskey
is affiliated with the Farmers Union and the United Artisans.  He is a democrat
in his political faith and is at present a member of the city council of
Oakesdale.  He has long been active in educational matters, having been a member
of the school board about twelve years.  He is also affiliated with the
Methodist Episcopal church, of which he and his wife are active supporters and
earnest in their cooperation to make that body effective for good in the
community.
     Possessing the sterling qualities of industry, economy and business acumen,
together with a lively interest in civic, fraternal. educational and church
affairs, Mr. McCroskey has long been recognized as a conspicuous and valuable
citizen of Oakesdale and Whitman county.  He has a large number of friends and
with his genial demeanor, his warm-heartedness and his good-fellowship is a
favorite with the circle in which he moves.

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Submitted to the Washington Biographies Project in August 2008 by Diana Smith.
Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned
above.