My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in The History of Dent County, Missouri published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1889.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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Harry Cross, one of the prominent agriculturists and stock raisers of Watkins Township, was born in Suffolk County, England, in 1856, and is the son of Harry and Susannah Cross, and grandson of Pearl Cross, who was born on the farm in Suffolk County, England, on which his son and grandson were born, and which has been in the family for over one hundred years. Harry Cross, Sr., was born in 1819, and his wife in 1829. He was well educated and was in comfortable circumstances. He and wife were members of the Episcopal Church, and excellent citizens. Of their family of nine children, all died of consumption with the exception of Harry, Jr. He was educated at home until twelve years of age, and then received a good high-school education in German, French, Latin, English, etc. He was reared on a farm, and for three years managed a large estate. Just prior to coming to America, which was in 1882, he married Miss Kate, daughter of Henry and Anna Bellerby, all natives of York City, England, where the parents still live. He came immediately to Dent County, Mo., and settled on his present farm of 300 acres, about 150 acres improved, and nearly all the result of his own efforts. He is making a specialty of raising thorough-bred Suffolk horses, fine mules and Southdown sheep. He has a fine imported stallion, which his father raised in England, and sent him in 1887. Mr. Cross is one of the most practical and thorough-going farmers and stock breeders of the county. His farm is situated about seventeen miles northwest of Salem, and about twelve miles south of Rolla. His horse was awarded the first premium at St. James Fair, in 1888, for first draft horse, and first premium for best horse for all work. Mr. Cross has probably the only thorough-bred Suffolk horse in Missouri, and is doing more to improve the horses of Dent County than any one man. He is a Republican in politics, and his first presidential vote was for Harrison, in 1888. He is a member of the Agricultural Wheel, Lecoma Lodge, and he and wife are members of the Episcopal Church.

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This family biography is one of 82 biographies included in The History of Dent County, Missouri published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Dent County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

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