 Crocker is closely associated with Byron Kilbourn and his projects to develop Milwaukee and Wisconsin over the years.Crocker first moved to Milwaukee in 1836 and became the first editor of the Milwaukee's first newspaper, the "Milwaukee Advertiser".The Advertiser served as Kilbourn's trumpet to promote settlement in Kilbourntown, the area on the west side of the Milwaukee River where he owned large tracts of land, over settlement in the neighboring Juneautown.