James L. Cross 1837-1899

CROSS, AYRES, WALKER, MEALEY

Posted By: Dorothy Gosse (email)
Date: 4/3/2011 at 20:55:00

James L. Cross, for the past fifteen
years a resident of this city, passed
away Thursday morning, June 15th, at
the age of sixty-two years, seven
months and fifteen days. The deceased
was born in Orwell, Bradford Co.,
Pennsylvania, Nov. 1. 1837, where he
resided until he was seventeen years of
age, when, with his parents he removed
to Illinois. He continued to reside
in the latter state until 1860 when he
removed to Independence, Iowa. A
short time prior to his removal he was
united in marriage to Miss Nancy
Ayres. Three children were the fruit
of this marriage two of whom with the
wife are left to mourn his loss. They
are Edwin Z. Cross and Mrs. Sarah
Walker both of this city.
Mr. Cross moved to Oelwein about
fifteen years ago and has been prominently
connected with the development
of the city. He was largely instrumental
in raising funds to aid in building
Hotel Mealey, and later in interesting
Mr. Mealey to build that hosteley.
He believed in the future of the
city and labored for its advancement.
Mr. Cross was an honorable, upright
man who had the confidence and respect
of the community. He was an
enthusiastic member of the Modern
Woodmen of America and was a charter
member of Palm Camp No. 230.
He has been honored with all the offices
in the gift of this Camp, and was for a
time District Deputy, and while holding
that oflice instituted several camps
in this section of the state.
His funeral was conducted under the
auspices of Palm Camp M. W. A., and
Royal Neighbors, the ladies rank of
this Order. One hundred and fifty
Modern Woodmen and fifty ladies of
the Royal Neighbors marched in the
procession and did honor to the memory
of the departed. The societies
formed an escort as the body was taken
from the residence to the Presbyterian
church where Rev. Conybeare preached
a comforting and impressive discourse.
The male quartette of that
church sang some beautiful selections.
The church was crowded with friends
who desired to express their respect
for the deceased and sympathy for the
bereaved. From the church the M. W. A.
and the Royal Neighbors formed an
escort to the cemetery where after the
beautiful ceremonies of the Order the
remains were laid at rest.

Oelwein Register - 21 June 1899
Note: burial at Oakdale Cemetery