William James Crombie (1857–1942)

Born: 26 July 1857, Vaughan Township, York County, Ontario, Canada Died: 30 December 1942, Grand Forks, Grand Forks County, North Dakota, USA Buried: Pembina County, North Dakota Religion: Presbyterian Occupations: Farmer; later Grain Buyer; Manager Parents: Robert James Crombie (1832–1895) & Elizabeth White (1819–1898) Spouse: Mary Manson (1859–1944) — married 4 March 1881, Tuckersmith Township, Huron County, Ontario

Overview

William James Crombie represents the Ontario‑born → Dakota Territory settler branch of the Crombie family. Born in Vaughan Township, he grew up in a Scottish‑Presbyterian household typical of mid‑19th‑century York County. His marriage in Huron County in 1881 marks the transition point from Ontario farming life to the westward migration that defined many Crombie families of his generation.

By the mid‑1880s, William and Mary established themselves in Pembina County, North Dakota, where William farmed, raised a family, and later worked as a grain buyer and manager. His life is well documented across U.S. federal censuses from 1900 through 1940, showing a steady progression from rural farmer to community‑level commercial work in grain handling.

Parents & Family Background

Father: Robert James Crombie (1832–1895)

• Born in Ontario

• Died 7 May 1895 in Kent County, Ontario

• Cause of death listed as suicide

• Part of the Ontario Crombie families with Scottish roots

Mother: Elizabeth White (1819–1898)

• Born in Ontario

• Died 2 January 1898 in Pembina County, North Dakota

• Of English/Scottish colonial descent

William’s parents represent the Ontario Crombie–White union, a line distinct from your Amaranth/Mono/Dufferin Crombies but sharing the broader Scottish‑Presbyterian heritage.

Marriage

Marriage to Mary Manson (1859–1944)

• Date: 4 March 1881

• Place: Tuckersmith Township, Huron County, Ontario

• Religion: Presbyterian

• Notes: Their marriage aligns with the Crombie pattern of Ontario Presbyterian unions before westward migration.

Shortly after marrying, William and Mary moved to Dakota Territory, joining the wave of Ontario farmers seeking new agricultural land.

Residences & Occupations (from census records)

• 1900 – Cavalier, Pembina County, ND — Farmer; married; head of household

• 1910 – Cavalier, Pembina County, ND — Farmer; married; head

• 1920 – Cavalier, Pembina County, ND — Manager; married; head

• 1930 – Advance, Pembina County, ND — Grain Buyer; married; head

• 1935 – Grand Forks, ND — Residence documented

• 1940 – Grand Forks, ND — Married; head of household

These records show a clear occupational progression from farming to grain commerce, reflecting economic shifts in early‑20th‑century North Dakota.

Children of William James Crombie & Mary Manson

All children listed in your Ancestry tab are included here :

1. William R. Crombie (1885–1885)

   • Born and died 28 April 1885

   • Infant death

2. William Ransom Crombie (1887–1977)

   • Born 5 July 1887, McLean, ND

   • Long life in North Dakota; farmer

3. Grace Crombie (1888–1888)

   • Born 24 August 1888

   • Died 15 September 1888

   • Infant death

4. Albert Harrison Crombie (1891–1964)

   • Born 7 August 1891, Concrete, Pembina County

   • Later life in North Dakota

5. Francis Cleveland Crombie (1893–1944)

   • Born 7 May 1893, McLean, Pembina County

   • Named for President Grover Cleveland (common naming trend of the era)

6. Venus Snell Crombie (1901–1945)

   • Born 4 April 1901, Cavalier, ND

   • Youngest child

Timeline Summary

Lineage Position

This William belongs to the York County → Huron County → Pembina County Crombie line:

Robert James Crombie (1832–1895) → William James Crombie (1857–1942) → Pembina County descendants