John Crosby

John Crosby (November 1, 1828 – December 29, 1887) was a businessman and early partner in the Washburn-Crosby Company (the forerunner of General Mills).

Crosby was born in Hampden, Maine. After attending school, he became involved in the family's paper mill business as well as an iron foundry and machine shop in nearby Bangor, Maine. While working in Bangor he married Olive Muzzy, daughter of Franklin Muzzy. Crosby moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1877 and became involved in the city's milling industry. He purchased an interest in the Washburn "B" Mill and developed a business partnership with Cadwallader C. Washburn, forming the Washburn-Crosby Company. Crosby oversaw the company's expansion and remained one of the company's partners until his death in 1887.