Henry Cross bought Holt House in 1889 from William H. Holt. After his death, his son,
Frank bought the farm from his siblings and lived there until his death. A 1915 map
shows the name "Sunnyside" on the Holt House farm at the time it was owned by the
Cross family.
Remaining family members moved to Idaho after Frank's death.
The Cross farm was the closest neighbor to the Morrills( current owner's ancestors) at
Hillside Farm. Stanley Morrill, son of Sam Morrill, remembers Frank Cross in "The
Morrill History", "I have some fond memories of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Cross. I think
they were very helpful during my father's illness and following his death. They always
drove a very attractive team of horses and a buggy. I was always attracted to the bright
brass buckles and snaps on the harnesses. Whenever I saw him coming into the yard I
would go outside and greet him and he always had a kind and friendly greeting for me.
He was my best friend and I still have fond memories of him."
The Cross Family
by Beth Hancock Cross
Descendants of HENRY CROSS
Generation No. 1
1. HENRY2 CROSS (NATHANIEL1)1 was born January 27, 1822 in New York2,
and died September 23, 1898 in East Granite Falls, Yellow Medicine Co., Minnesota3.
He married (1) MARY (UNKNOWN)4 Bef. 1846. She was born Abt. 1824 in
Pennsylvania5, and died March 26, 1870 in Rochester, Olmsted Co., Minnesota6. He
married (2) ELLEN ADALINE ST. CLAIR7 January 03, 1872 in Rochester, Olmsted
Co., Minnesota8, daughter of JOHN ST. CLAIR and ADALINE BROWN. She was
born October 18, 1845 in Conneaut, Ashtabula Co., Ohio9, and died January 04, 1937
in Yakima, Yakima Co., Washington10.
Notes for HENRY CROSS:
1857 Territorial Census of Olmsted County (Minnesota) dated 10-6-1857--
dwelling 45, family 45 (pg 406, line 24-31)
Henry (33; b. NY; occ. merchant)
Mary (33; b. PA)
Sterling (11; b. NY)
Edgar (6; b. NY)
Frank (1; b. IL)
also in household is Abner Cross (40; b. NY; occ. farmer) and Elihne M. Bennett (25; b.
NY; occ. merchant)
1860 (June 1) census for Rochester, Olmsted Co., Minnesota--
dwelling 19, family 16 (pg 3, line 5-10)
Henry (36; b. NY)
Mary (36; b. PA)
Sterling (12; b. NY)
Edgar (9; b. NY)
Frank (4; b. IL)
Norma (5 mos; b. MN)
1870 (July 1) census for Rochester, Olmsted Co., Minnesota--
dwelling 87, family 94 (pg 12, line 19-24)
Henry (46; b. NY; occ. bakery)
Sterling (22; b. NY; occ. bakery)
Edward (19; b. NY)
Frank (14; b. IL)
also in household are 2 young women who work at the bakery--Anna Abbott (22; b.
Prussia); and May/Mary Estessar(?) (23; b. Norway)
1880 Census
Census Place: Granite Falls, Yellow Medicine, Minnesota
Source: FHL Film 1254638 National Archives Film T9-0638 Page 526C
Relation Sex Marr Race Age Birthplace
Henry CROSS Self M M W 56 N. Y.
Occ: Lumber Dealer Fa: VT. Mo: VT.
Helen CROSS Wife F M W 36 OH.
Occ: Keeping House Fa: OH. Mo: OH.
Franklin CROSS Son M S W 24 IL.
Occ: Clerk In Lumber Yard Fa: N. Y. Mo: PA.
Harry CROSS Son M S W 7 MN.
Fa: N. Y. Mo: OH.
Mary CROSS Dau F S W 2 MN
(also living in household: Betsey HANSON S Female 30 NOR.)
The August 13, 1873, Lac qui Parle County Press reprinted an article from the New Ulm
Herald printed shortly after the blizzard, entitled the 'Meanest Man in Minnesota'. The
Press commented it felt at liberty to publish the article, to bring it to Henry Cross'
attention. The article is written verbatum as follows:
"Lac qui Parle claims the meanest man in Minnesota and we think the claim is good.
Henry Cross and young man named Jas. Marshall were overtaken by the great storm of
last winter, between Benson and Lac qui Parle and took refuge in the valley of the
Chippewa river, where they laid under a snow drift for two days. Cross endured the
cold for some time; then concluded to die, and had it not been for the superhuman efforts
of young Marshall he would have perished long before leaving the drift. On the morning
of the third day, Marshall, against the consent of Cross, decided to search the
neighborhood for a place of shelter, and by an heroic effort succeeded in reaching a
house occupied by a Norwegian family, where he procured assistance and went to the
relief of Cross, braving the terrors of the storm, then still raging with its utmost fury, and
succeeded in bringing the contemptible old porpoise to the house; but not until he
[Marshall] had both feet horribly frozen. After reaching the house a bottle of spirits was
produced and as Marshall was about to swallow a portion of its life-giving contents,
Cross called for it, and true to his despicable nature, drained the bottle of its last drop,
leaving the brave but unfortunate Marshall without anything to arouse his declining
strength.
Marshall had one leg amputated and was confined to his bed for nearly a year - now a
cripple for life. All suffered and lost in the effort to save the worthless life of the man
Cross. Cross is quite wealthy, and when it was suggested he should contribute to defray
the expenses of Marshall, he opened his heart and gave the paltry sum of twenty-five
dollars. For this Cross should have full credit for being the meanest man in Minnesota."
from 'Prairie Chronicles: A History Of Lac Qui Parle County, Minnesota' Micki Buer,
author--
A Pioneer Prairie Town (article T17)--
the first attempt at fire protection, feeble as it appeared, was the organization of a fire
brigade by Henry Cross in 1874. this brigade's primary responsibility was to establish a
fire break or 'magic circle' around the villiage as protection. for minor fire emergencies,
the villiage relied on the use of a chemical extinguisher owned by Henry Cross' family,
while a primitive bucket brigade could be formed if deemed necessary.'
from 'Rochester Post' (Rochester, Olmsted Co., Minnesota) dated 9-30-1898 pg 5,
col. 2--
Death of a Former Rochesterian
Mr. Henry Cross, formerly a resident of this city, died at his home in East Granite Falls
last Friday night at 6 o'clock, having reached the age of 74.
Mr. Cross had been a great sufferer from neuralgia for four years, but until very recently,
by virtue of his great vitality, withstood the inroads of that insidious disease.
The life of Mr. Cross has been an active one. He came to this city in 1855 and engaged
in the mercantile business, in which he was very successful. Fourteen years later he
moved to Lac Qui Parle county and was a resident of that county for a number of years,
going from there to his late home. He was surrounded by a fine family of children, all of
whom, with his wife, survive him. Mr. Cross was a fine specimen of manhood, and it is
doubtful if he had any enemies, for he was good, kind and true to all. His death will be
sincerely mourned in Rochester.
Notes for MARY (UNKNOWN):
from 'Rochester Post' (Rochester, Olmsted Co., Minnesota) dated 4-9-1870 pg 3, col.
5
DIED
Cross -- In this city, on the 26th ultimo, Mary, wife of Henry Cross, aged 46 years.
Notes for ELLEN ADALINE ST. CLAIR:
Mrs. Ellen Cross, age 91 years, died this morning at 3 o'clock in her home in the Moxee
district. She was born in Ohio and came to the valley 26 years ago. She had been ill the
last month. The family includes a daughter, Mrs. G. N. Watkins of Yakima; a son, R. L.
Cross of Spokane; four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Mrs. Cross was a
member of the Congregational church. Shaw & Sons has charge of arrangements.
Marriage Notes for HENRY CROSS and ELLEN ST. CLAIR:
from 'Rochester Post' (Rochester, Minnesota) dated 1-6-1872 pg 3, col. 5--
MARRIED
Cross - St. Clair -- In this city, at the residence of A.M. Steadman, Jan. 3d, by Rev. L.
A. Abbott, Mr. Henry Cross, of Lac qui Parle, and Miss Nellie St. Clair, of Rochester.
Children of HENRY CROSS and MARY (UNKNOWN) are:
i. STERLING CROSS, b. Abt. 1846, New York13; d. Bef. 191914; m. (1)
MARY J. (UNKNOWN)15; b. , Iowa16; d. Deceased; m. (2) MARY L.
LEONARD17, December 1870; b. August 25, 1851; d. November 20, 188918.
1880 census--
S. CROSS Self M Male W 32 NY Lumber Dealer NY PA
Mary K. CROSS Wife M Female W 28 MA Keeping House MA MA
Anna KNUDSON Other S Female W 19 NOR Servnat NOR NOR
Source Information:
Census Place Ortonville, Big Stone, Minnesota
Family History Library Film 1254615
NA Film Number T9-0615
Page Number 223D
1900--shows up in Furman Villiage, Westfield Township, Martin Co., Minnesota.
1910--appears in 'History of Olmsted Co., Minnesota' by Joseph Leonard (pg 276)
2. ii. EDGAR CROSS, b. Abt. 1851, New York; d. September 10, 1879,
Granite Falls, Yellow Medicine Co., Minnesota.
3. iii. FRANK W. CROSS, b. May 18, 1856, Illinois; d. January 07, 1915,
Chippewa Co., Minnesota.
iv. NORMA CROSS, b. Abt. 1860, Minnesota19; d. Bef. 187020.
Children of HENRY CROSS and ELLEN ST. CLAIR are:
4. v. HARRY FRED3 CROSS, b. October 18, 1872, Minnesota; d. March
28, 1912, Selah, Yakima Co., Washington.
5. vi. MARY ADALINE (MAMIE) CROSS, b. March 20, 1878, Kansas; d.
March 28, 1966, Yakima, Yakima Co., Washington.
6. vii. RAYMOND LAFITTE CROSS, b. December 20, 1882, Minneapolis,
Hennepin Co., Minnesota; d. February 25, 1958.
Generation No. 2
2. EDGAR3 CROSS (HENRY2, NATHANIEL1)21 was born Abt. 1851 in New
York22, and died September 10, 1879 in Granite Falls, Yellow Medicine Co.,
Minnesota. He married JENNIE PROCTOR23 Abt. December 15, 1876. She was
born Abt. 1859 in Wisconsin24, and died Deceased.
Notes for EDGAR CROSS:
researcher found an Edgar G. Cross (d. 9-10-1879; large stone, hard to read) in Granite
Falls Community/City Cemetery (Granite Falls, Yellow Medicine Co., Minnesota) near
Frank W. Cross and Harry F. Cross
More About EDGAR CROSS:
Burial: Granite Falls Community/City Cemetery--Granite Falls, Yellow Medicine Co.,
Minnesota25
3. FRANK W.3 CROSS (HENRY2, NATHANIEL1) was born May 18, 1856 in
Illinois28, and died January 07, 1915 in Chippewa Co., Minnesota29. He married
MATTIE A. (UNKNOWN)3031. She was born Abt. 185532, and died Aft. 192033.
Children of FRANK CROSS and MATTIE (UNKNOWN) are:
i. GRACE BELLE4 CROSS9, b. August 06, 188310; d. June 28, 1946,
Spokane, Spokane Co., Washington; m. VICTOR TRUE DRESSER11, June 01, 1904,
Lewiston, Nez Perce Co., Idaho12; b. April 01, 1881, Chippewa Co., Minnesota13; d.
February 10, 1957, Burbank, Los Angeles Co., California.
ii. BESSIE ALICE CROSS15, b. July 31, 1889, Minneapolis, Hennepin Co.,
Minnesota16; d. December 01, 1956, Spokane, Spokane Co., Washington; m.
THADDEUS EARL DRESSER17, September 23, 1912, Lewiston, Nez Perce Co.,
Idaho18; b. April 13, 1887, Granite Falls, Yellow Medicine Co., Minnesota19; d. April
09, 1947, Spokane, Spokane Co., Washington.
iii. FRANCES CROSS, b. Abt. 1895; d. Deceased; m. (UNKNOWN) ELDRED22; d.
Deceased.
(as the family of Frank W. Cross was an add-on, the source numbers for this family can
be found after the other endnotes.—bhc)
Notes for FRANK W. CROSS:
researcher found a Frank W. Cross (b. 5-18-1856; d. 1-7-1915; stone partially sunk
into ground) in Granite Falls Community/City Cemetery (Granite Falls, Yellow Medicine
Co., Minnesota) near Edgar G. Cross and Harry F. Cross
More About FRANK W. CROSS:
Burial: Granite Falls Community/City Cemetery--Granite Falls, Yellow Medicine Co.,
Minnesota34
4. HARRY FRED3 CROSS (HENRY2, NATHANIEL1) was born October 18, 1872
in Minnesota51, and died March 28, 1912 in Selah, Yakima Co., Washington52. He
married DAISY MAY KIRTLAND53 March 04, 1898 in Granite Falls, Chippewa Co.,
Minnesota54, daughter of HENRY KIRTLAND and LYDIA YOUMAN(S). She was
born June 29, 1876 in Red Wing, Goodhue Co., Minnesota55, and died April 11, 1961
in Walla Walla, Walla Walla Co., Washington56.
Notes for HARRY FRED CROSS:
1910 US census for Yakima Co., WA--living (36) with wife and son; along with mother
(age 64) and brother (age 26)
obit appeared in the 'Yakima Daily Republic'--
Harry F. Cross, aged 39 years, died yesterday at his home in East Selah of tuberculosis.
The body is being prepared for shipment by the Flint Shaw Co., and will be sent to
Granite Falls, Minn., for burial. Mr. Cross is survived by a wife and son.
More About HARRY FRED CROSS:
Burial: Granite Falls Community/City Cemetery--Granite Falls, Yellow Medicine Co.,
Minnesota57
5. MARY ADALINE (MAMIE)3 CROSS (HENRY2, NATHANIEL1)68 was born
March 20, 1878 in Kansas69, and died March 28, 1966 in Yakima, Yakima Co.,
Washington70. She married GEORGE NELSON WATKINS71 October 1902 in
Yakima, Yakima Co., Washington72, son of PERRY WATKINS and ALMEDA
HARTGRAVES. He was born February 27, 1878 in Litchfield, Meeker Co.,
Minnesota73, and died December 15, 1943 in Yakima, Yakima Co., Washington74.
Notes for MARY ADALINE (MAMIE) CROSS:
1920 US census for Yakima, Yakima Co., Washington (pg 1 B ED 220)
1958--living in Yakima, Washington
More About MARY ADALINE (MAMIE) CROSS:
Burial: March 31, 1966, Tahoma Cemetery--Yakima, Yakima Co., Washington75
6. RAYMOND LAFITTE3 CROSS (HENRY2, NATHANIEL1) was born December
20, 1882 in Minneapolis, Hennepin Co., Minnesota98, and died February 25, 195899.
He married (1) GRACE HELEN SHIELDS100 October 04, 1913 in Yakima Co.,
Washington101, daughter of H.M. SHIELDS and JANE CAUDELL. She was born
September 12, 1890 in Fort Scott, Bourbon Co., Kansas102, and died June 06, 1914 in
Yakima Co., Washington. He married (2) DORA GOBLEHOUSE September 08,
1920 in Yakima Co., Washington103, daughter of ADAM GOBLEHOUSE and
EMMA SMEAR. She was born Abt. 1902 in Oregon.
Notes for RAYMOND LAFITTE CROSS:
1910 US census for Yakima Co., WA--living (age 26) in the household of brother Harry
(age 36); along with mother (age 64), and Harry's wife and son.
obit--
Cross -- Funeral services for Raymond L. Cross, 75, who died Feb. 25 will be held
Friday at 3:00 P.M. in Shaw and Sons Funeral Home. The Rev. C. L. Hobson,
officiating. Interment Tahoma Cemetery. Mr. Cross is survived by 1 sister Mrs. Mamie
Watkins Yakima, 1 nephew Will Cross Yakima, 3 nieces Mrs. Ruby Massong Yakima,
Mrs. Naida Barlow Seattle, Mrs. Bernice Bradish Flint Michigan.
More About RAYMOND LAFITTE CROSS:
Burial: February 28, 1958, Tahoma Cemetery--Yakima, Yakima Co., Washington104
Endnotes
1. from Cross family papers. papers on Henry Cross suggests he had 8 children. no
wife is listed. papers on the St. Clair and Brown family lists Harry Fred, Mary Adaline
and Raymond Lafitte as children of Ellen Adaline St. Clair. June 2001 received census
information, an obit and marriage license that proves Henry was married twice.
2. acc. to 1910 US census for Yakima Co. Washington--father of Harry F. Cross born
in New York. location of Owego from Cross family papers.
3. deathdate and location from obit. (copy in my possession--bhc)
4. name from census and death notice.
5. date of birth est. from deathdate. says she was 46 yrs.
6. deathdate from obit
7. last name as Sinclair on son Raymond's marriage record
8. marriage date from copy of marriage record (in my possession--bhc). record can be
found in Olmsted Co. marriages book C, pg 422. bride's name as Nellie. L.A. Abbott,
Minister of the Gospel officiating. A.M. Steadman and Erastus Ransom witnesses.
9. acc. to 1910 US census for Yakima Co. WA--mother of Harry F. Cross born in OH
10. deathdate from obit (in my possession--bhc)
13. listed in 1857 census as 11 yrs of age
14. not named as a defendant in land dispute of early 1919
15. info from 1900 census for Westfield Township, Martin Co., Minnesota
16. date of birth or marriage date could be 5-1865
17. name, dates and burial information from Errol and Valerie Cross--June 2001
18. died at father's home
19. listed in 1860 census as 5 mos of age
20. not listed in 1870 census
21. middle initial of G. on gravemarker.
22. listed in 1857 census as 6 yrs of age. gravemarker has dates of 1851 - 1879. 1880
census says he was b. WI
23. from Errol and Valerie Cross--June 2001
24. date of birth est. from census records. location from census records
28. listed in 1857 census as 1 yr of age. gravemarker has dates of 1856 - 1915
29. deathdate as 1-6-1915 and location from Minnesota Death Index online. (CertID#
1915-MN-002094)
30. name from warranty deed for property owned by Frank W. Cross in Chippewa
Co., Minnesota
31. marriage date could be 5-16-1882 Blue Earth Co., Minnesota
32. age is 65 in 1920 census.
33. shows up on 1920 census.
51. date of birth from death certificate. family tradition has date of birth as 10-18-
1873. gravemarker has dates of 1873 - 1912. location from 1910 US cenus for
Yakima Co., Washington
52. deathdate from certified copy of death certificate (in my possession--bhc). died
39y5m10d. (have copy of obit--bhc)
53. spelling of name from marriage license
54. marriage date confirmed by marriage license (in my possession--bhc). witnesses
were Charles Bingham and Mrs. Chas. Bingham
55. date of birth as per family tradition. confirmed by gravemarker. date of birth as 7-1-
1876 and location of Featherstone Township, Goodhue Co., Minnesota from Thomas
Yoemans in Red Wing Minnesota using courthouse records in Goodhue County,
Minnesota
56. died 8:45 p.m. at I.O.O.F. Home. (have certified copy of death certificate in my
possession--bhc)
my possession--bhc). Langevin-Mussetter Funeral Home (Yakima, WA) in charge of
arrangements.
68. acc. to brother Raymond's obit, she went by Mamie
69. location from Beth Watkins--through email--april 2001
70. deathdate and location from Beth Watkins--through email--april 2001
71. dates and locations from Beth Watkins--through email--april 2001
72. marriage date and location from Beth Watkins--through email--april 2001
73. date of birth, deathdate (of 12-20-1943) and locations from Beth Watkins--through
email--april 2001
74. deathdate from Tahoma Cemetery--Yakima, Washington
75. date and location from cemetery records. buried: lot 2-SW-17-H (between son
and husband). funeral arrangements by Keith and Keith Funeral Home.
98. location from marriage record
99. died at 76 yr. (have copy of obit and funeral notice--bhc)
100. name and dates from records found at Langevin-Mussetter Funeral Home. middle
name of Nellie from marriage record. middle name of Helen from funeral record.
101. W.F. Turner, MG, officiating. witnesses--Mrs. E.A. Cross and Mrs. M.L.
Young. marriage record #4314. information found in 'Records of Yakima Co., WA
1908 - 1913 Vol III-A' pub. 1983 by Yakima Valley Genealogica Society. book found
at Clark County Genealogical Society in Vancouver, WA. says groom was s/o H. Cross
and Ellen Sinclair.
102. date of birth est.; died at 23y8m24d. gravemarker has date of birth as 1891.
103. Roy King, JP, officiating. marriage record #7956. information found in 'Records
of Yakima Co., WA 1918 - 1920 Vol III-C Marriage Records' pub. 1986 by Yakima
Valley Genealogica Society. book found at Clark County Genealogical Society in
Vancouver, WA. says groom was s/o Henry Cross and Ellen St. Clair.
104. buried: sec. C, blk 270, NE qt., lot 3 (between wife and mother). Shaw and Sons
Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. (have picture of gravemarker in my
possession--bhc)
Endnotes for Frank W. Cross family
10. date of birth, deathdate and location from Dresser Family Genealogy website--may
2003
11. name as Victor T. Dresser from warranty deed for property owned by Frank W.
Cross in Chippewa Co., Minnesota. middle name from Dresser Family Genealogy
website--may 2003
12. marriage info from Dresser Family Genealogy website--may 2003
13. date of birth, deathdate and locations from Dresser Family Genealogy website--may
2003
15. middle initial as A. from warranty deed for property owned by Frank W. Cross in
Chippewa Co., Minnesota. middle name from Dresser Family Genealogy website--may
2003. confirmed by marriage record found online.
16. date of birth, deathdate and locations from Dresser Family Genealogy website--may
2003
17. name as Dressler from Cross family papers. a marriage record can be found in Nez
Perce Co., Idaho for Thad Carl (typo ?) Dresser and Bessie Alice Cross. name as
Thad E. Dresser from warranty deed for property owned by Frank W. Cross in
Chippewa Co., Minnesota. full name from Dresser Family Genealogy website--may
2003
18. marriage record in vol. 5, pg 81. ID #--145105 .
19. date of birth, deathdate and locations from Dresser Family Genealogy website--may
2003
22. name from warranty deed for property owned by Frank W. Cross in Chippewa
Co., Minnesota