Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1906-09-14
NEsroR OF MINNESOTA JuRlsrs.
Judge Francis M. Crosby Of District Court
Has Served His Constituents "a Years
Born In Wilmington, VI.

Judge Francis M. Crosby Of District Court
Has Served His Constituents "a Years
Born In Wilmington, VI.
Judge Francis NJ. Crosby of this city
has a record which stands unique among
1urists Of Minnesota. He has seen "a
years of active service upon the bench,
and mas served his district and state in
that capacity since he was AZ years of
age. At the fall election in 1871 he was
elected judge of the first judicial dis
trict and entered upon his duties in Janu-
airy, 1872 He was reelected to the office in
1878, 1884, 1890, 1896 and 1902. Prior to
the beginning of this long term of SER
vice he was judge Of probate two years,
of Dakota county.
Judge Crosby was born in Wilmington.
VT, Nov. 10, 1880, and was brought up
on farm in that town. He was the
son of Eliel Crosby and Thankful Allen,
who were of Massachusetts ancestry. He
was educated in the public schools of
Wilmington and at Mt Caesar seminary
at Swanzey, N. II. He taught school and
represented Wilmington in the Vermont
legislature of 1855 and 1856.
He studied law in the offices of Oscar
L. Shafter at Wilmington, and Daniel
Roberts at Manchester, VT, and was adj
mitted to the bar at Bennington, VT, in
December, 1855. He then entered into CO.
partnership in the practice of law with
stephen p. Flagg at Wilmington, where
he practiced until May, 1858, when he
moved to Hastings, whore he has since
lived.
. Judge Crosby is a lneal descendant of
Stephen Forbes and Ebenezer Allen,
Massachusetts Revolutionary soldiers,
and is president OF the Minnesota society
of the Sons of the American Revolution.
He is also member Of the Society Of
Colonial Wars.
Judge Crosby is a man of firm convic-
lions. stern and upright character He
is never lenient with himself and meas
ures himself with stern impartiality
Others he treats with a kindly and win
ming courtesy and consideration that
show the amiable qualities of the man.
His learning and knowledge of the law
are profound. His decisions are founded
upon the immutable principles of the
law. He is not a siavish follower of
precedent, unless 1t be the decision OF
court whose authority he is bound to
recognize. The court presided over by
him is not only a court of law but court
of Justice, in which immaterial issues
and technicalities are brushed aside so
that right and justice may prevail.
Judge Crosby's cast Of mind and clea,-
ness of apprehension are most strik-
ingly displayed in his conduct of cases
tried by a jury. His aim in these cases
is to dispense with everything that may
befog the jurors or distract their atten-
ton from the issues which they are
called upon to try. In presenting a case
to the jury, he does it in such clear and
simple language that what seemed
difficult task to the Juror becomes one
easily within his grasp and comprehen-
sion. This is done by reducing all ele-
ments of the case to one or two simple
propositions upon which the rights Of the
ore
presented to the jury in simple but fore
ible language.
His charge to the jury is generally
brief, concise and at the same time ex-
haustive; so much so that 1t is on very
rare occasions that jury in Judge Cros-
by's court fails to understand the charge
or comes into the court for further in
structions.
The young practitioner who commences
his forensic duties in the court presided
over by Judge Crosby Is peculiarly for
tunate. A young attorney practicing in
his court receives such kind and consider
ate treatment at the hands of the Judge
that he is encouraged in his efforts to adj
vance his profession. His mistakes are
overlooked, and, so far as is consistent
with right and justice, are corrected or
permitted to be. His ineXperience is no
handicap as against an older member OF
the bar, and his client will have no cause
10 complain OF any COMMISSIONS OF mat
ters purely technical which the court has
the authority to overlook The highest
and most considerate courtesy is extended
to him.
There have been occasions when a
young lawyer in the first flush of an
! eager enthusiasm has been permitted to
argue questions and cite authorities on
elementary propositions merely because
the court did not desire to dash the en-
thusiasm of the beginner
Judge Crosby throughout his life has
been an upright and impartial Judge
and kind friend and an eminent and
patriotic citizen His ideals have ever
been high, his influence with the bar and
| laity of his district has always been
| toward the upright. honest and impa rita
administration of the law. He is a firm
believer in the participation of the citi-
zen in the administration Of the law, both
as a grand and as petit juryman, and
| this conviction he fortifies by an exper-
fence at the bench and bar which is not
| equaled in length OF time by any judge
now living in the state.
Notwithstanding his long service at the
bar and on the bench. Judge Crosby is
| stlll hale. hearty and vigorous as a mar
| 55 years of age. A splendid physique. the
legacy of n vigorous right-living Vermont
ancestry, enables him to bear lightly his
added years, and time as 1t passes only
adds to the keenness Of his intellect anG
mellows the good qualities of his mind
and heart-[Hastings Mimi, despatch
| to Minneapolis Journal