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| Calvin Cross |
First, I would like to thank my sister, Teresa Spitzer, and my parents for their excellent work researching the Cross family. Much of what I report below is from their research.
Calvin W. Cross was born in Wayne Co., Indiana, on 3 March 1838. His parents were Joseph Cross, Sr. and Martha Norman. He is probably one of the free white males under age 5 shown with his father on the 1840 census for Wayne Co., Indiana. Before 1846, the family moved to Delaware Co., Indiana, where Calvin's father died in 1846. Calvin was 8 years old.
Before 1850, Calvin had moved to Stoney Creek Township, Henry Co., Indiana, with his mother and siblings. The family is found there on the 1850 census. He was 12 years old.
The 1860 census shows a 21-year-old Calvin working as a farm laborer and living in Prairie Township, Henry Co., Indiana (near Luray). He is listed with the family of Waterman and Louisa Clift.
A family story is not confirmed, but is interesting: "Frank (probably Frank E. Cross) told this story as told to him by both his grandfather and his great uncle. Four days after battle of Shiloh, his great uncle, Ephraim, noticed that Calvin (Frank's grandfather) was not with the Company. Ephraim went back, found his brother wounded, carried him on his shoulder across the river to a hospital. Both men had enlisted at the same time."
Calvin was mustered out of military service at Indianapolis on 21 September 1864 with a pension of $10 per month.
On 18 January 1865, Calvin married Louisa Ellen Becktell in Henry Co., Indiana. They were married by Calvin's brother, Emanuel Cross. Calvin was 26 and Louisa was 21.
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| Louisa Ellen (Becktell) Cross |
Their first child, Ephraim Nelson Cross, was born 15 November 1865, just 10 months after their marriage. The family called him Nelson. They were living in Perry Township, Delaware Co., Indiana.
Son, Alva Sherman Cross, was born 3 March 1867 in Perry Township.
Daughter, Barbara Ellen Cross, was born 13 September 1868 in Perry Township.
The 1870 census shows Calvin and Louisa living in Perry Township with their three children. Also living with them is Calvin's mother, Martha Cross, aged 70 and born in Virginia, and Louisa's father, John Becktell, age 52, born Ohio, and listed as "insane."
About 1871, Calvin and Louisa purchased 150 acres just outside the town of Blountsville in Stoney Creek Township, Henry Co., Indiana. They moved to this farm and lived there the rest of their lives.
On 8 April 1871, a son, Lonzo Brady Cross was born.
On 9 October 1874, a son, Pearl Monroe Cross was born.
On 10 September 1877, daughter, Della Orinda Cross was born.
On 29 March 1879, daughter, Lesta Viola Cross was born.
On 17 April 1881, a son, Elza Calvin Cross was born.
According to the History of Henry County 1884 (page 845): "Calvin Cross was born in Wayne County, Ind., March 3, 1838, a son of Joseph and Martha (Norman) Cross. His father died when he was eleven years old, and he was thus early thrown upon his own resources. Sept. 20, 1861, he enlisted in Company K, Thirty-sixth Indiana Infantry. He participated in the battle of Shiloh, campaign of Atlanta, and at the battle of Stone River was wounded, the ball passing from the left hip through the lower part of the bowels and lodging in the right hip, where it still remains, causing him great inconvenience and pain. He was discharged Sept. 1, 1864, and Jan. 18, 1865 he married Eliza E., daughter of John and Annis Bechtell. He lived with his father-in-law a short time and then moved to Randolph County and rented land two years, when he bought his father-in-law's farm. Two years later he sold his farm, and moved to Delaware County and bought 160 acres of land, but was unsuccessful, and after five years sold out and moved to an adjoining farm, where he lived two years. He then returned to Henry County and bought eighty-two acres of land, where he now lives, and by additions has increased his farm to 122 acres. Politically, Mr. Cross is a Republican. He is a member of Kimball Post, No. 204, G.A.R. He and his wife are members of the United Brethren church. They have a family of eight children -- Ephrain Nelson, Alva Sherman, Barbara Ellen, Adam Brady, Purle Monroe, Della O., Lesty V., and Eliza C."
And on 22 May 1885, the youngest child, Oliver Lester Cross, was born. Calvin was 47 and Louisa was 41.
On 23 December 1888, son Ephraim married Mary Jane Swoveland in Henry Co., Indiana.
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| Ephraim Nelson Cross and his wife, Mary Jane Swoveland |
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| Flora Ellen (Henniger) Cross and Alva Sherman Cross wedding picture |
On 28 February 1891, daughter Barbara Ellen Cross married Oscar Fremont Coffin in Henry Co., Indiana.
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| Oscar Fremont Coffin and Barbara Ellen (Cross) Coffin |
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| Lonzo Brady Cross |
On a pension paper dated 5 May 1898 and signed by Calvin Cross, he gives the following information: Wife is Louisa Ellen Becktell, married Jan. 1864 in Henry Co., IN by Emanuel Cross. His living children in May 1898: E.N. Cross born Nov. 15, 1865; A. S. Cross born March 3, 1867; B. B. Cross, Sept. 13, 1869; P.M. Cross born Oct. 9, 1874; D. O. Cross, Sept 10, 1876; L. V. Cross, March 29, 1879; E. C. Cross, April 17; O L Cross, May 22, 1886.
On 28 February 1900, Louisa (Becktell) Cross died at the family home west of Blountsville in Henry Co., Indiana. She was 56 years old. Cause of death was tuberculosis. She was buried in Mooreland Cemetery, Henry Co., Indiana.
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| from the Muncie Star Press, March 2, 1900 |
On 14 May 1900, their son, Pearl Monroe Cross, married Gertrude May Stauble, in Blountsville, Henry Co., Indiana.
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| Pearl Monroe Cross and his wife, Gertude May (Stauble) Cross |
On 6 June 1901, daughter Della Orinda married Joseph Irvin Lacy in Grant Co., Indiana.
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| Joseph Irvin Lacy and his wife, Della Orinda (Cross) Lacy |
On 23 November 1901, daughter Lesta Viola married Miles Mark Marshall in New Castle, Henry Co., Indiana.
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| Miles Mark Marshall and his wife, Lesta Viola (Cross) Marshall |
The following was included in the Henry County "Compendium of Biography" published, I believe, in 1902: "Calvin Cross: It is the pride of the inhabitants of this country that when the great civil war between the states closed all the vast army of citizen soldiery quietly laid down their arms and returned to the pursuits of peace. It was predicted by the governments of Europe, not only that the country would be divided, but that after the war an enormous army would be kept up and a military dictatorship be established on the fragments. Foreign nations did not understand the spirit of the people of this country, that is, the spirit of the people in all the free states. They could not understand how we had come to love the name of liberty and be willing to sacrifice blood and treasure to save a country founded upon the rock of freedom. In view of these misguided ideas the most of the foreign nations stood ready to pounce upon the fragments when the smoke of war had rolled away. But they beheld a splendid sight. They saw the great armies melt away, saw a reunited country in which liberty was a fact as well as a name, and saw the soldiers return to their farms and shops, mills and various vocations. Among these valiant defenders of the country's flag was the gentleman whose name forms the caption to this article.
Calvin Cross is the son of Joseph and Martha (Norman) Cross and was born in Wayne county, Indiana, on the 3d of March, 1838. The family from which the subject is descended is of Dutch descent, though his immediate ancestors were natives of Virginia. In the latter state the father of the subject was born and reared and was there married to a lady who died shortly afterward. He was again married, the lady of his choice being Miss Martha Norman. They emigrated to Indiana and settled in Wayne county. At the time of his marriage he was a poor man and for some time he operated rented lands. He later moved to Delaware county, this state, where he remained until his death. Politically he was identified with the Democratic party, while he and his wife were members of the German Baptist church. To the second marriage were born eight children, of whom seven are living.
The subject was reared upon the home farms in Wayne and Delaware counties, in the meantime being given the benefit of a good common school education. About 1850, he came to Henry county and, as his father had died when the subject was only nine years old, the latter was compelled to remain at home and assisting looking after home affairs. He remained faithful to his mother's interests until the dark clouds of civil strife overshadowed his country and an appeal was made for defenders of the flag. Mr. Cross was imbued with patriotic ardor and in September, 1861, he enlisted in Company K, Thirty-sixth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, under the command of Col. William Grose. The regiment rendezvoused at Richmond, Wayne county, being sent to Indianapolis, where they were equipped and drilled, after which they were sent to the front. They were first sent to Louisville, Kentucky, and shortly afterward, April 6 and 7, 1862, engaged in the battle of Shiloh, after which followed Nashville, Mission Ridge, Chickamauga, Orchard Knob and Stone River, the subject being wounded at the latter place. He participated in the Atlanta campaign and the siege of Atlanta, being one hundred and five consecutive days under fire. He received an honorable discharge from the service at the close of the struggle in 1865 and as a partial compensation for the privations and hardships he endured during his service he now receives a pension from the government of ten dollars per month.
Upon his return to civil pursuits he was worth about two hundred dollars, but he was energetic and ambitious and devoted himself as assiduously to the pursuits of peace as he had to the military. For some time he rented a farm and carried on farming operations. He was fairly successful and was at length enabled to purchase a tract of land in Stony Creek township. He met with some bad luck and misfortunes of one kind or another, but by perseverance and steady work managed to acquire one hundred and fifty-two acres of good farming land. He is a progressive farmer, believing in modern and up-to-date methods in agriculture, as in everything else, and his well-tilled fields and abundant harvests indicate the supervision of a man who thoroughly understands his vocation.
In January, 1866, Mr. Cross was united in marriage with Miss Louisa E. Becktell, a native of Henry county. This union was a most pleasant one and was blessed by the birth of nine children, of whom eight are living, as follows: Nelson, Sherman, Barbara E., Pearl, Della, Lesta, Elzie, Ollie and Brada, the latter being deceased. Mrs. Cross died on the 28th of January 1900.
Mr. Cross is a member of the United Brethren church, while his fraternal relations were with the Grand Army of the Republic at Blountsville as long as that organization had an existence in that place. In politics he has ever been affiliated with the Republican party, but never takes a very active part in politics other than the casting of his ballot. Without much outside assistance, the success he has achieved is due largely to his own efforts. Strong determination, persistence in the pursuit of an honorable purpose, unflagging energy and careful management -- these are the salient features in his career and his life stands in unmistakable evidence that success is not a matter of genius, as held by some, but is the outcome of earnest and well-directed effort."
On 8 December 1902, son Elza Calvin married Phoebe Lacy in Henry Co., Indiana.
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| Elza Calvin Cross |
A physician's affidavit filed 2 June 1903 and found with Calvin Cross's pension papers states that Calvin was losing the use of his leg due to a bullet that was never removed when he was wounded during the Civil War.
On 4 July 1904, Oliver Lester Cross married Maude Stauble (sister of the wife of his brother, Pearl).
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| Oliver Lester Cross and his wife, Maude (Stauble) Cross |
Calvin Cross died 19 September 1913 at his home near Blountsville. He was 75 years old. Cause of death was given on his death certificate as "prostatitis with resulting cystitis and anemia. Refused to take food. Exhaustion." He was buried next to Louisa in Mooreland Cemetery.
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| Calvin Cross Family: Back Row Left to Right: Oliver, Elza, Pearl, Alva, Ephraim. Front Row Left to Right: Della, Lesta, Louisa, Calvin, Barbara. |
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| from the Muncie Star Press, 21 September 1913 |
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| from Indianapolis News, 29 September 1913 |
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| from the Muncie Star Press, 1 November 1913 |
Calvin
W. Cross (7697), b.
3 Mar 1838 at Wayne Co., IN, d. 19 Sep 1913 at Henry Co., IN
+Louisa
Ellen Becktell (7700), b. 6 Jun
1843 at Henry Co., IN, m. 18 Jan 1865 at Henry Co., IN, d. 28 Feb 1900 at Henry
Co., IN
├── Ephraim Nelson
Cross (7701), b. 15 Nov 1865
at Delaware Co., IN, d. 2 May 1951 at Henry Co., IN
│
+Mary
Jane Swoveland (19094), b. 10
Mar 1871 at Henry Co., IN, m. 23 Dec 1888 at Henry Co., IN, d. 19 Dec 1960 at
Henry Co., IN
│
├── Flora Edna
Cross (19095), b. 23 Apr 1892
at Henry Co., IN, d. 27
Apr 1928 at Henry Co., IN
│
├── Glenn Edwin
Cross (19096), b. 4 Jun 1893
at IN, d. 26
Nov 1984 at Riverside, CA
│
├── Frank Emmett
Cross (19097), b. 19 Feb 1899
at Henry Co., IN, d. 4
Aug 1983 at Henry Co., IN
│
└── Lilian
M. Cross (23701),
b. 17 Nov 1902
at Henry Co., IN, d. 18
Nov 1902 at Henry Co., IN
├── Alva Sherman
Cross (7702), b. 3 Mar 1867 at IN,
d. 27 Feb 1949
at Delaware Co., IN
│
+Flora
Ellen Henninger (19098), b. 1873
at IN, m. 21
Sep 1889 at Henry Co., IN, d. 13 Nov 1966
│
├── Bertha Cross (23704), b. 25 Dec 1890,
d. 28 Jun 1898
│
├── Lula Ethel
Cross (19099), b. 28 Jul 1892
at IN, d. Oct 1978 at IN
│
├── Mamie B Cross (23705), b. 5 Jan 1894,
d. 5 Aug 1895
│
├── Clinton Monroe
Cross (19100), b. 31 May 1895 at
Henry Co., IN, d. 12
Jun 1986 at Randolph Co., IN
│
├── Hobart Clayton
Cross (19101), b. 13 Aug 1897
at IN, d. Oct 1968 at Delaware Co., IN
│
└── Merrill Cross (19102), b. circa 1908
├── Barbara Ellen
Cross (7703), b. 13 Sep 1868
at IN, d. 20 Mar 1950 at Delaware Co., IN
│
+Oscar
Fremont Coffin (19103), b. 1866
at IN, m. 28
Feb 1891 at Henry Co., IN, d. 19 Feb 1935
│
├── Exelma Coffin (19104), b. Nov 1892 at IN, d. 9 Sep 1963
at IN
│
├── Letha D.
Coffin (19105), b. 25 Sep 1895,
d. 11 Feb 1988
at Pinellas,
FL
│
├── Fern Coffin (19106), b. May 1899, d. circa
1969
│
├── Newlin E
Coffin (19108), b. 4 Oct 1907
at Henry Co., IN, d. Jun 1981 at Maricopa, AZ
│
└── Opal Coffin (19107), b. 1910
├── Lonzo Brady
Cross (7708), b. 8 Apr 1871,
d. 21 Feb 1897
at Henry Co., IN
├── Pearl Monroe
Cross (2087), b. 9 Oct 1874
at Henry Co., IN, d. 23
Aug 1958 at Henry Co., IN
│
+Gertrude
May Stauble (2088), b. 15 Nov 1882
at IN, m. 14
Mar 1900 at Henry Co., IN, d. 14 Jul 1959
at Henry Co., IN
│
├── Byron Laverne
Cross (2092), b. 14 Aug 1910
at Henry Co., IN, d. 6
Aug 1989 at IN
│
├── Marion Davis
Cross (2090), b. 12 Jan 1913
at Henry Co., IN, d. 31
Jan 2006 at Randolph Co., IN
│
├── Crystal Bernitha
Cross (2089), b. 3 Feb 1915
at Henry Co., IN, d. 26
Nov 2010 at Henry Co., IN
│
└── Leonard Earl
Cross (2091), b. 10 Aug 1917
at Henry Co., IN, d. 3 May 2003 at Delaware Co., IN
├── Della Orinda
Cross (7704), b. 10 Sep 1877
at IN, d. 21
Mar 1913 at IN
│
+Joseph
Irvin Lacy (19109), b. 24 Oct 1880
at Henry Co., IN, m. 6 Jun 1901 at Grant Co., IN, d. Aug 1957 at St. Joseph
Co., IN
├── Lesta Viola
Cross (7705), b. 29 Mar 1879 at IN,
d. 30 Sep 1943
at Henry Co., IN
│
+Miles
Mark Marshall (19157), b. 29 Jan
1869 at Delaware Co., IN, m. 23 Nov 1901 at Henry Co., IN, d. 7 Feb 1938 at
Delaware Co., IN
│
├── Laura E Marshall (23715), b. 14 Jul 1902
at Henry Co., IN, d. 22
Oct 1995 at Delaware Co., IN
│
├── Ralph Marshall (23716), b. 15 Sep 1903
at Henry Co., IN, d. Oct 1903 at IN
│
├── Ruth Ann
Marshall (23717), b. 12 Jun 1906
at Henry Co., IN, d. 6
Nov 1982 at Wayne Co., IN
│
├── Claude Samuel
Marshall (23718), b. 29 Mar 1910
at Henry Co., IN, d. 19
Nov 1985 at Henry Co., IN
│
├── Elisabeth E
Marshall (23719), b. 1913
│
├── Mildred N
Marshall (23720), b. 3 Apr 1923
│
└── Florence M
Marshall (23721), b. 7 Sep 1923,
d. 11 Dec 2000
├── Elza Calvin
Cross (7706), b. 17 Apr 1881
at Henry Co., IN, d. 29
Jun 1951 at Delaware Co., IN
│
+Phoebe
Lacy (19110), b. 9 May 1882 at IN,
m. 8 Dec 1902 at Henry Co., IN, d. 1953 at IN
│
├── Kermit B
Cross (23729), b. 27 Jul 1903
at IN, d. 9
Sep 1990 at IN
│
├── Walter K
Cross (23730), b. 1904 at IN, d.
1943
│
├── Herschel C
Cross (23731), b. 11 Apr 1910
at IN, d. Mar 1976 at Randolph Co., IN
│
└── E Katrina
Cross (23732), b. 1 Sep 1913
at Henry Co., IN, d. 26
Jul 1973 at Butler co., OH
└── Oliver Lester
Cross (7707), b. 22 May 1885
at Henry Co., IN, d. 29
Oct 1949 at IN
+Maude
Stauble (19020), b. 5 Jun 1885 at
Henry Co., IN, m. 4 Jul 1904, d. 20 Dec 1948 at Delaware Co., IN
├── Marie Lorene
Cross (20024), b. 7 Jan 1910
at Henry Co., IN, d. 3
Jul 1969 at Delaware Co., IN
└── Mildred Louise
Cross (23543), b. 29 Jul 1916
at IN, d. 13
Feb 1917 at IN
+Ethel M.
Arnold (23733), b. 6 Aug 1894
at Tipton Co., IN, m. 5
Sep 1931 at Adams Co., IN
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