Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1903-07-07

ute detail were never given in our city.
On July 4th, 1853, James McCrossen
and Cornelia Jones were united in
marriage at Rural, in the town of Day
ton, Waupaca county, Wis. They en-
joyed the distinction of having been
the first couple married in that town.
The ceremony took place at the home
of the brides parents, Mr.. and Mrs.
James II. Jones, at Rural, and the nup-
tial knot was tied by the BRIDES father.
Ministers were scarce article in those
days and Mr.. Jones. being Justice of
the Peace, YVES qualified to officiate,
which fact has always been very graf
flying and pleasant memory to the
principals of this event. Mr.. and Mrs.
McCrossen resided at Rural, Waupaca
county, until 1871, when they came to
Wausau 70 reside. Two years previous
to that tinas Mr.. McCrossen came to
Wausau and seeing what he thought
was a good prospect for a mercantile
business, he opened store at the cor
ner of Second and Jackson streets.
His business increased so rapidly that
he soon had to move into larger quar-
tiers, securing the building now
occupied by B. Riebe as barber shop,
on Third street. This building and its
basement was all used for Mr.. McCros-
sens large general store. In 1875, the
business assumed such proportions that
Mr.. McCrossen found it necessary to
build the large double stores at the COR
ner of Third and Scott streets, now
occupied by N. Heinemann, and there,
for many years, Mr.. McCrossen con-
Quoted the largest mercantile stores in
the Wisconsin river valley. He also
purchased pine timber, saw mills and
real estate, and kept on acquiring
wealth until for years he has been
counted as among the most wealthy
men in the valley. During all this time
his faithful mate was pulling right
along in the harness by his side and
together they have made wonderful
success of life. They have contributed
in large degree to the upbuilding of
Wausau, and have been identified with
every move that tended to the advance
ment and betterment of our city
Socially, they are very popular, their
home, at the corner of Third and Frank
lin streets, having been a favorite rem
devious for the young and the old of
our city, since it was built, over thirty
years ago. 1t is no wonder, with their
generous hospitality and their genial
dispositions that they are beloved, and
always have been, by our people.
Seven children were born to them and
those living were present on the Fourth
of July, viz: Julius Adelbert, of st.
Paul; Ellen Isabel, MRS. L. E. Thayer.
of Everett, Wash.;) Elizabeth Agnes,
Mrs. H. H. Grace, of West Superior,
Wis.3 Chas. Albert, of St. Paul, and
Henry George, of Wausau, and they
were accompanied by their wives and
Husbands, with the exception of L. E.
Thayer, of Everett, who was unable to
be present.
Mr.. and Mrs. McCrossen have ten
grandchildren and one great-grand-
child. OF the former there were pres
ent: Jay and Miss Margie, son and
daughter of j. A. McCrossen, and Miss
Cornelia, daughter of H. g. McCrossen.
Notwithstanding Mr.. McCrossen has
reached the age of rs and Mrs. McCros-
sen 81 years, still they are both very hale
and hearty and as keenly alive to every
thing transpiring about them as when
they first came to Wausau, and it is the
sincere wish of all that they may live
long to enjoy the fruits of their labors,
and that health and happiness may at
tend them in all walks of life and their
diamond anniversary find them able to
| plan and carry out as successful a cele-
bration as the one given by them on
July 4th, 1908.