BIO: John H. McCROSSIN, Clearfield County, PA
 
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From Twentieth Century History of Clearfield County, Pennsylvania,
and Representative Citizens, by Roland D. Swoope, Jr.,
Chicago: Richmond-Arnold Publishing Company, 1911, pages 466 & 467.
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  JOHN H. McCROSSIN, proprietor of the Irvona Hotel, one of the leading public 
houses at Irvona, Pa., is not only popular as its host but is also highly 
esteemed as a citizen.  He is one of the younger business men of the borough, 
born March 1, 1882, at Ramey, Pa., and is a son of James and Mary (Wilkinson) 
McCrossin.
  James McCrossin was born in Bradford county, Pa., and came to Clearfield 
county when eighteen years of age.  He settled first at Osceola and for a number 
of years was in the lumber business but in 1892 he went into the hotel business 
and conducted hotels at Madera, Houtzdale and Clearfield until 1897.  In 1901 he 
returned to Madera, where he built the Madera Inn and has conducted it ever 
since.  He is well known all over Clearfield county.  He married Mary Wilkinson, 
who was born in England and accompanied her parents to America in her girlhood.  
Her father was interested in coal, both as a miner and small shipper, in 
Clearfield county.  Seven children were born to James McCrossin and wife, 
namely:  Edward G., who is a resident of Madera; John H.; Fred, who is with his 
father at Madera; Thomas, who is a professional base ball player, outfielder 
with the Memphis Southern League; Frances, who lives at home; a babe that died; 
and Margaret, who died when about twenty-eight years of age.
  John H. McCrossin attended both the public and parochial schools at Houtzdale 
and Clearfield.  His first work was done as an employe of the New York Central 
Railroad, where he continued for almost a year and then went with the Pittsburg 
& Lake Erie Railroad.  In December, 1904, he gave up railroad work and was a 
clerk in a wholesale business house at Houtzdale, and when he left there it was 
to come to Irvona, where he bought the Irvona Hotel, in partnership with his 
brother, Edward McCrossin.  The partnership continued for two years when John H. 
purchased his brother's interest and has been sole owner and proprietor ever 
since.  Mr. McCrossin has made many improvements, including the building of a 
fine new bar in 1910, and the whole house is fitted with modern conveniences.  
It is Mr. McCrossin's aim to make his hotel as home-like as possible, and 
through his care and attention he succeeds and is given generous patronage.
  In 1905 Mr. McCrossin was married to Miss Margaret Meagher, a daughter of John 
Meagher, of Houtzdale, and they have three children:  Gilbert Meagher, Margaret 
and Robert Frederick.  Mr. and Mrs. McCrossin are members of St. Basil's Roman 
Catholic church at Blair City.  He is identified fraternally with a number of 
organizations, including:  Tyrone Lodge, No. 212, Elks, at Tyrone; Clearfield 
Aerie, No. 812, Eagles, at Clearfield; Canalport Lodge, No. 312, Moose, and the 
Brotherhood of America, at Houtzdale.