From "A Biographical and Historical Record of Adams and Wells Counties" published in 1887.

James Crosbie, one of the enterprising and public spirited citizens of Wells County, is a native of Scotland, born in Earlston, Berwickshire, February, February 7, 1821. His parents, Thomas and Christina (Kelly) Crosbie, were natives of the same shire. They were the parents of six children, three sons and three daughters, our subject being the eldest child. He attended school until reaching the age of fourteen years, when he became a laborer for a turnpike company. He worked in this capacity until eighteen years of age , when he was promoted to the position of superintendent, being thus employed until 1847, and for three winters during this time he attended night school. He gave up his situation with the view of coming to the United States, but obtaining another situation, to take charge of the estate of R.K. Eliott, of Clifton Park, near Kelso, he remained in his native country two years longer. He was married in 1843 to Miss Mary Rule of Berwickshire, a daughter of James and Agnes (Dickson) Rule, and they now (1887) have seven children - Agnes, Thomas, James R., John, Mary J., Margaret and Christina Bell. In 1849 Mr. Crosbie immigrated to America with his family, then consisting of his wife and two children, taking forty-five days to come from Glasgow to New York. He came directly to Wells County, where he purchased 160 acres of land in Rock Creek Township, which he cleared from the heavy timber and improved eighty acres, on which he resided until 1862, when he disposed of his land, and purchased 352 acres of land in Liberty Township, converting this tract from a state of nature to one of the best farms in that township, and there he made his home until coming to Bluffton in 1875, being still a resident of this city. In connection with his general farming he is extensively engaged in dealing in stock, and has followed this business twenty-five years. He built the Narrow Gauge Railroad from Bluffton to Warren, and has also built many miles of turnpike in this county. Mr. Crosbie, his wife and five of their children are members of the Presbyterian church. In politics, he affiliates with the Prohibition party.