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Below is a family biography included in The History of Crawford County, Missouri published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1888.  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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Jacob C. Cross, a native of Sullivan County, Tenn., was born October 16, 1837, and is the youngest in the family of twelve children born to Elijah and Catherine (Cook) Cross. His educational advantages were very limited, being only such as the country subscription school of his native State afforded. About the year 1858 he immigrated to Missouri, settling in Crawford County, where he followed agricultural pursuits; his only capital was good health and a determination to succeed, which, combined with good management, have resulted in his prosperity. He first bought a farm of ninety-seven acres, which he cleared and improved, and then disposed of to advantage, enabling him to purchase his present farm and homestead, consisting of 174 acres, all well-improved, with a comfortable residence, barns, etc. In 1863 he married Elizabeth, daughter of William Barnett, a farmer of Crawford County. She was born February 26, 1846. There were six children born to this union, only three of whom are living, viz.: John F., born November 11, 1863; Sarah C., now the wife of Nathaniel Spurgeon, born January 15, 1866, and Rufus J., born May 3, 1868. Those deceased are: James Sinkler, born November 3, 1870, died August 21, 1873; Cordelia, born January 15, 1873, died August 14, following, and Malissa, born September 3, 1874 and died December 31, 1874. After the death of his first wife, January 28, 1875, Mr. Cross married Sarah, daughter of Benjamin Hutcheson. During the late war Mr. Cross was a Southern sympathizer, but took no active part in the struggle. He is a stanch Democrat, but no office seeker, preferring the quiet life of a farmer. Mr. and Mrs. Cross are devoted members of the Baptist Church.

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This family biography is one of 117 biographies included in The History of Crawford County, Missouri published in 1888.  For the complete description, click here: Crawford County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

To view additional Crawford County, Missouri family biographies, click here

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