James P. CROSSWAIT
James P. Crosswait (deceased) was one of the earliest settlers of Cass county, coming here in 1856. He was a retired farmer of Fulton county, Illinois, from whence he came to this county, and settled at Lewis, engaging in the business of loaning money. Mr. Crosswait was born in Kentucky, November 30, 1803. He was a farmer by occupation, and in his early life went to Tennessee and remained four or five years. During the time he made the acquaintance of Mary R. Mack to whom he was married. She was born November 5, 1803. From Tennessee Mr. Crosswait removed to Sangamon county, illinois, where he remained one year upon a farm. He then moved to Fulton county of the same State, where on his arrival he found the sum total of his worldly goods to consist of two dollars and fifty cents, and a team and wagon. Three years from that time, he was able to enter a half section of land after which his financial affairs continued to prosper, and at this death, which occurred at Atlantic in December, 1879, he left a large property. Mr. Crosswait was a man of integrity strictly honest in all his dealings, and always prompt in meeting every obligation. In his youth he united with the Methodist Episcopal church, with which he reamined connected till his death, leading a consistent christian life. His widow is still living and now resides at Atlantic.
Transcribed by Gloria Goltiani from "History of Cass County, Iowa. Together With Sketches of its Towns, Villages and Townships, Educational, Civil, Military and Political History: Portraits of Prominent Persons, and Biographies of Old Settlers and Representative Citizens." Springfield, Ill.: Continental Historical Company, 1884, pg. 605.
