Emery W. Crosby served as Wisconsin Circuit Court judge in the 17th District at Neillsville, Wisconsin, from 1921 until his death in 1947.
Born on December 28, 1874, in Sheboygan County, Crosby was the son of William and Adell (nee Little) Crosby and a grandson of James Little who served in the Wisconsin Assembly in 1859. Upon his graduation from Glenbeulah High School in 1893, Crosby taught at rural schools in Sheboygan County for five years and attended the State Teachers College at Oshkosh.
After his brief teaching career, Crosby enrolled in the law school at Northwestern University. He graduated in 1902 and opened a law office in Abbotsford, Wisconsin, in 1903. Crosby soon became active in politics, being elected county board supervisor in 1906 and district attorney for four years. In 1914 Crosby was elected to the state legislature as a Republican. The following year he was defeated, however, in a three-way race for circuit court judge. In 1921 he made a second attempt for the judicial post and was elected by an overwhelming majority. He continued in this position until his death on May 23, 1947.
In addition to his judicial duties Crosby served as vice-president and later president of the Board of Circuit Judges, which was established to aid the efficient functioning of the circuit courts. He also belonged to the Masons, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Loyal Order of Moose, the Beavers, and the Modern Woodmen of America.
Crosby was married to Rose M. Beck in June 1901 and they had three children.
