Humboldt County Biography
Charles Cross
The ranch owned and occupied by Charles Cross is situated on Van Dusen river, two miles from Carlotta, and is one of the most attractive in the county. It comprises two hundred ten acres of fertile land, which he has acquired by hard work and frugality, so that the term self-made applies to him in its truest sense. Like so many of those of eastern birth who have turned their attention to dairying and farming in this land of sunshine, he has been very successful and today his dairy of twenty fine milch cows is one of the best equipped in the county. In every transaction of life he has been honest and upright, kind and generous to a fault, a respected citizen and good neighbor. He was born at Hampden, Penobscot county, Me., August 30, 1860, the son of William and Sarah (Morse) Cross. The parents, who were farmers, were natives of Maine, the father of Welsh and the mother of English ancestry. In 1869 they moved to Grinnell, Iowa, three months later removing to Smith County, Kans., where the father homesteaded and resided ten years. In 1882 the family removed to Oregon and one year later to Humboldt County, Cal.
On account of poor health the father removed to Nevada, thence to Oregon, where he died. The mother died in Rohnerville, Humboldt County, in 1898. They had two children, namely, A. N. and Charles, the former residing with his brother.
Circumstances were such that Charles Cross had very limited educational advantages, for when he was quite young it was necessary for him to become self-supporting. For several years he was in the employ of the Pacific Lumber Company at Scotia and afterward worked for the Holmes Lumber Company of Eureka.
Imbued with the qualities which usually bring success, young Cross saved his earnings and in due time was enabled to purchase a ranch of twenty-five acres at Rio Dell, which he improved while with the Pacific Lumber Company, making it his home for seventeen years. After selling it he bought his present ranch on Van Dusen River, most of the place being bottom land, on which he raises grain, hay, carrots, beets and alfalfa. Many of the progressive movements of the county have enlisted his influence and his career throughout is worthy of emulation. Fraternally he is a member of the Hydesville Lodge of Odd Fellows, and in politics votes with the Republican Party.
While living in this county Mr. Cross was married at Rio Dell July 10, 1889, being united with Miss Hattie Corning, born in St. James,. Watonwan county, Minn., December 22, 1870, the daughter of Smith P. and Orpha M. (Smith) Corning, born in New York and Ohio, respectively.. They were married in Minnesota. Mr. Corning served in Company B, Second Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, through the Civil war. Until 1873 he resided in Minnesota, then removing to Ottawa County, Kan., where the family resided for a year. In that year Mr. Corning came to Humboldt county, the family joining him in 1875. A millwright by trade, he helped build various mills in the county. He spent his last days at Rio Dell, passing away in 1910, the mother having died at Shively in 1882. Of their seven children, Mrs. Cross, the fourth oldest, received her education in Humboldt county. Mr. and Mrs. Cross are the parents of seven children: Ruby (Mrs. Guy Stapp of Carlotta, the mother of one child, Albert Everett) ; Earl Everett; Irene Elizabeth; Florence Marie; Agnes Zella and Anna Ella (twins); and Cecil Wilbur. Mrs. Cross is a member of the Hydesville Lodge of Rebekahs, No. 98, and is interested in the cause of education. Mr. Cross was formerly a member of the board of trustees of Rio Dell district.
History of Humboldt County California
History by Leigh H. Irvine: Historic Record Company
Los Angeles, Ca. 1915
Transcribed by: Martha A Crosley Graham
28 April 2006
Pages 1095 - 1144
Humboldt County Biographies ~ Archive Biography Index ~ Archive Index
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