Joseph was the third son of George Crosland, a wool manufacturer who built several mills in the area around Huddersfield, notably in Lockwood and Crosland Moor.
Crosland was a Conservative councillor for Lockwood (1869–72), a member of the School Board, and President of the Chamber of Commerce (1872–74). Crosland led the family textile firm, and was chairman of the Huddersfield Banking company from 1876 until 1897, when it was amalgamated with the London, City and Midland Bank. He was an Anglican for most of his life. His brother, Thomas Crosland, represented Huddersfield as MP between 1865 and 1868.[4] Crosland built Royds Hall in 1866 as a family home; the building is now Royds Hall School.[5][6]
^British Parliamentary Election Results 1885-1918, compiled and edited by F.W.S. Craig (Macmillan Press 1974)
^Perks, Robert Brian (1985). The New Liberalism and the Challenge of Labour in the West Riding of Yorkshire 1885-1914, with special reference to Huddersfield" (PhD). Huddersfield Polytechnic. [1] p.156
^Scott, W Herbert (1902). The West Riding of Yorkshire at the opening of the twentieth century. p. 131. ISBN9781130364354.