The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1910-11-17
WAS JUDGE 50 YEARS
Francis Marion Crosby, Nestor of the
Minnesota Bench, Dies at His
Residence in Hastings.
Was Descendant of Revolutionary
War Heroes and Jurist With
Wide Acquaintance.

Judge Francis Marion Crosby, who
presided over the first judicial district
for 3S years, a record without par
allel in the state of Minnesota, died
suddenly at his home in Hastings on
Tuesday morning at the age of 80
years. While be had been indisposed
for several days, his illness was not
considered serious and his death
came as shock to the community.
In the fall of 1871 Mr.. Crosby was
elected judge of the first judicial dis
trict and entered upon his duties in
January, 1872. He was reelected to
the Office in 1878, 1884, 1890, 1896, 1902
and 1908. Prior to the beginning of
this long term of service he was judge
of probate for two years of Dakota
county.
Francis M. Crosby was born in Will
mington, VT, Nov. ID, 1880, and was
brought up on a farm in that town.
He was the son of Eliel Crosby and
Thankful Allen, who were of Massa-
chusetts ancestry. He was educated
in the public schools of Wilmington
and at Mount Caesar seminary at
Swansea, N. Fl. He taught school
and represented Wilmington in the
Vermont legislature in 1856 and 1856.
He studied law in the Offices of Oscar
L. Shafter at Wilmington, and Daniel
Roberts at Manchester, VT, and was
admitted to the bar at Bennington,
Vt, in December, 1855. He then
entered into copartnership ia the
practice Of law with Stephen P. Flagg
at Wilmington, where he practiced
until May, 1858, when he removed to
Hastings. He was a lineal descend
ant of Stephen Forbes and Ebenezer
Allen, Massachusetts revolutionary
soldiers, and was former president
Of the Minnesota society of the Sons
of the American Revolution. He was
also a member of the Society of
Colonial Wars.
Judge Crosby's cast of mind and
clearness Of apprehension were strik-
ingly displayed in his conduct of
cases tried to a jury. His aim in
these cases was to dispense with
everything that might befog the jurors
or distract their attention from the
issues which they we're called upon to
try. In presenting a case to the jury
ne did it in such clear and simple
language that what seemed difficult
task to the juror became one easy
within his grasp and comprehension.
This was done by reducing all ele-
ments Of the case to one or two simple
propositions upon which the rights of
the parties depended. These PROPOSE
lions we're presented to the jury in
simple but forcible language. His
charge to the jury was generally
brief, concise and at the same time ex-
haustive. A jury in Judge Crosby's
court seldom failed to understand the
charge and scarcely ever re-entered
she court room for further instructions.
The young practitioner beginning
his forensic duties in the court pre-
sided over by Judge Crosby was
peculiarly fortunate. A young
attorney practicing in his court re-
ceived such kind and considerate
treatment at the hands of the Judge
shat he was encouraged in his efforts
10 advance his profession. His mis-
takes were overlooked, and so far as
was consistent with right and justice,
were corrected or permitted to be-
There we're many occasions when a
young lawyer in the first flush of an
eager enthusiasm was permitted to
argue questions and cite authorities
on elementary propositions merely be-
cause the court did not desire to dash
the enthusiasm of the beginner.
Judge Crosby was an upright and
impartial judge and an eminent and
patriotic citizen. His ideals were
ever high, his influence with the bar
and laity of his district always
toward the upright, honest and i'm
partial administration of the law.
He was firm believer in the partici-
patton of the citizens in the admins
tration of the law, both as grand
and as a petit juryman, and this con-
viction he fortified by an experience
at the bench and bar not equaled in
length of time by any judge now
living in the state. A splendid
physique, the legacy of vigorous,
right-living Vermont ancestry,
enabled him to bear lightly his added
years, and time as it passed only
added to the keenness of his intellect
and NELL lowed the good qualities of
his mind and heart. -
Attorney Chas. Keith of Princeton,
who had enjoyed the acquaintance of
Judge Crosby for many years, speaks
in terms of high praise of the emil
tnent, kind-hearted jurist.