Biographical Sketch of

George Cross

Transcribed by Sandra Boudrou for the Marquette Co WI Pages


Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin, 
published 1890 by Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, Pages 685 - 686


George Cross, who is engaged in general farming and stock-raising on section 36, in Manchester Township, is the owner 
of one of the most beautiful homes in the county.  It is situated upon the southwest bank of Lake Marie, a most beautiful 
little body of water.  The charms of art have been added to those of nature, the residence is surrounded by a well-kept 
lawn and shade and ornamental trees, together with everything which goes to make a comfortable and pleasant home.  The 
scenery, ever changing, would delight the eye of the most critical.  Mr. Cross may be justly proud of is pleasant abode,
 and truthfully declare "there is no place like home."
 
He was born in Lincolnshire, England, on the 27th day of March, 1832, and is a son of John and Ann (Russell) Cross, who 
were natives of the same county.  They passed their entire lives in Lincolnshire, were there born, reared, married, reared 
a family of children, and at length passed away.  The death of the mother occurred in 1859, and the father died in 1869.  
He was a farmer by occupation, and both were members of the Wesleyan Methodist Church.  Their children, nine in number, 
all grew to manhood and womanhood, our subject being the eldest of the family.  Mary A. is now the wife of William Snowden,
a resident of Ravenna, Mich.; Maria is yet living in England; Eliza is married, and still resides in her native land; John 
is a farmer of Brown County, Dak.; Frederick is living near Emmetsburg, Iowa; Anna is a resident of England; Betsy and 
Martha are also in England.
 
Reared to manhood in his native land, and receiving his education in its common schools, our subject, on attaining his 
majority, turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, which he followed during his residence in England.  On the 8th 
day of May, 1854, he was united in marriage with Miss Jane Snowden, who was born in Wadington, Lincolnshire, June 22, 
1833.  Her parents were John and Mary (Graham) Snowden.
 
Not long after their marriage Mr. Cross ad his young bride sailed for America, landing in Quebec, Canada, whence they 
continued on their way until reaching Lexington, Mich.  Near that city he purchased eighty acres of wild timber land, 
which he at once began clearing, that he might make of it a farm.  Ere selling out, in 1862, he had cleared thirty 
acres, placing it under a high state of cultivation, but in that year he determined to go further West, and came to 
Wisconsin.  Columbia County was the scene of his operations during the two succeeding years, after which, in 1864, 
he came to Green Lake County, where he has since made his home.  By economy, industry and perseverance he had acquired 
some capital, which he now invested in 184 acres of land, situated on section 36 in the town of Manchester.  About sixty 
acres had been cleared and partially improved, and he at once set to work to complete the task of developing the entire 
amount.  The improvements which he has made have transformed that once wild land into one of the most beautiful and 
highly-cultivated farms of the county.  Its broad acres now pay a golden tribute to his care and cultivation, and the 
income which arises from the sale of his products and stock enables him to live in comfortable circumstances.
 
The union of Mr. and Mrs. Cross has been blessed with six children, all of whom have been born since their arrival in 
America:  William G., who was born in Sanilac County, Mich., Jan. 25, 1859, married Miss Clara Cummings, and is now 
engaged in farming in Brown County, Dak.; Louisa A. is engaged in dressmaking; Silas S., born in Green Lake County, 
Aug. 9, 1864, is also a farmer of Brown County; Bessie is engaged in teaching in the same county; Arthur and Alice are 
still with their parents.
 
Mr. Cross had but $25 with which to begin life in America.  With that small capital as a basis he has steadily worked 
his way upward until he is now numbered among the prosperous and substantial farmers of the county.  He has never yet 
had occasion to regret his removal to the New World.  No more loyal citizens can be found in the State than he and his 
estimable wife.  They feel that this is their home, and take a just pride in the old flag which floats so proudly over 
the free institutions of their adopted land.  Their lives have ever been such as to win the confidence and high regard 
of all, and during the twenty-six years of their residence in Green Lake County they have gained many, many friends.  
Both are members of the Baptist Church of Fox Lake, and in political sentiment Mr. Cross is a Republican.  He cast 
his first ballot for Abraham Lincoln in 1860, and has never wavered in his allegiance to the party of which our 
martyred President was the first successful candidate.  He is especially strong in his support of the tariff principles 
as in his early life, in England, he witnessed the effect of free trade upon labor and the laboring classes.






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