Crosby was a founding partner of the Washburn-Crosby Company, the forerunner to General Mills.

Born in Hampden to John II and Anne K. Stetson, Crosby became heavily involved in the family paper mill business, as well as an iron foundry and machine shop in nearby Bangor.

In that year, they formed the Washburn-Crosby Company to produce winter wheat, and Crosby oversaw its expansion.

[2] In 1924, Washburn-Crosby purchased the WLAG radio station and renamed it to WCCO, in honor of Crosby and his company.

[4] The marriage lasted until the death of Muzzy in 1873, and Crosby married his second wife, Emma Gilson, six years later.