Z. A. Crosson
Z. A. Crosson, one of Lima's well-known business men, a dealer in fancy and staple groceries, who has been a resident of the city for 26 years, was born in 1858 in Auglaize township, Allen County, Ohio, and is a son of Columbia Crosson.
The father of our subject came to Allen County about 1851 and carried on his trade of wagon making. That he was an expert mechanic may be inferred when it is known that a wagon that he made in 1852 has been in use to the present time. He now lives in retirement at the age of 78 years in a pleasant home at Westminster, this county, where two of his four children also reside, the eldest, William L. and the youngest, Alwilda, wife of Miner Smith. Mary is the wife of N. D. McCoy, of Lima.
Early in the days of the Civil War, Columbia Crosson offered his services to his country and served over four years, as a member of Company F, Fourth Reg., and Ohio Vol. Cav. He was always active in politics and at numerous periods filled local offices.
Our subject was reared and educated in Allen County and began his business career by running a huckster wagon through the country. This gave him a little business experience and made him a good clerk when he entered to employ of J. Langan at Lima. He continued with Langan & Company, successors to the old firm, for about nine years. On Christmas Day, 1889, he embarked in business for himself, opening up a small grocery store at his present stand, No. 112 East Market street, where he has continued ever since, each year adding to his patronage and accommodations, until now he is one of the leading merchants of Lima. Mr Crosson owns stock in the Lima Driving Park Association.
In 1879 Mr. Crosson was married to Lillie Starbuck, who is a daughter of James M. Starbuck, of Randolph County, Indiana, and they have four children, viz.: Elsie H., wife of C. T. DeWeese, of Sidney, Ohio; Columbia Monroe, who is in the automobile business at Portland, Oregon; Edith M. and Lethia Hazel.
Politically Mr. Crosson has always been a Republican and for the past six years has been a member of the Board of Health. He belongs to the Lima Business Men's Association, and to the Retail Grocer's Association of Lima, and was president of the latter for five years. His fraternal associations include the Royal Arcanum, the Odd Fellows and the Red Men.