Edward Cross was a jurist and Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives from the state of Arkansas.
Background
Edward Cross was born on November 11, 1798 in Virginia where his grandfather, originally from Wales, had settled early in the eighteenth century. His father, Robert Cross, served with the colonial forces in the Revolutionary War, afterward engaging in farming.
Education
In 1799 the family moved to Cumberland County, Kentucky, where Edward spent his youth on a farm, obtaining his education at the common schools.
Career
When he became of age he determined to take up law and went to Overton County, Tennessee, reading for two years in the office of Adam Huntsman at Monroe in that county.
On being admitted to the Tennessee bar in 1822 he opened an office there and practised for three years. He made progress, but, having been brought up on the frontier, he found the lure of the West irresistible and in 1826 he proceeded to the Territory of Arkansas, settling at Washington, Hempstead County, and entering into partnership with Daniel Ringo, who was later chief justice.
In 1828 he became a member of the staff of Gov. Izard and in that position took a prominent part in the organization of the territorial militia.
In 1832 President Jackson appointed him one of the justices of the superior court of the Territory of Arkansas, and he remained on the bench for four years, being reappointed by President Van Buren.
On the admission of Arkansas to the Union as a state, June 16, 1836, the court ceased to function, and Cross became surveyor- general of the public lands under the new constitution, a position which he retained for two years.
In 1838, as Democratic nominee, he was elected representative in Congress, where he served for three terms, being reelected in 1840 and 1842.
As a delegate from Arkansas he attended the National Democratic Convention at Baltimore in 1844, with instructions from his constituents to support Van Buren.
The subsequent publication of the latter’s letter opposing the annexation of Texas induced Cross to disobey his instructions and vote for Polk, and this action on his part was afterward approved by his party.
In 1852, to meet an emergency, he was appointed by Gov. Drew a special justice of the supreme court of the state.
He was one of the promoters in 1853 of the Cairo & Fulton Railroad, which was planned to make eastern connection at Cairo, and continue the line of the St. Louis & Iron Mountain, running south from St. Louis toward Texas, and was its president from 1855 to 1862, during which period it was, in common with the majority of the companies forming the Missouri railroad system, forced into bankruptcy.
After 1860 he took no very active part in politics and gradually relinquished practise, though his interest in public affairs continued unabated to an advanced age. He died at Little Rock in his eighty- ninth year.
Achievements
Politics
He was extremely active in the presidential election of 1840, taking a leading part in the Democratic campaign and addressing meetings in many parts of the state.
Personality
Quotes from others about the person
Speaking of this period of his life a contemporary said, “His good morals and integrity are of the highest type and the old patriarch is universally esteemed”.
Connections
On August 4, 1831, he had married Laura Frances, daughter of Benjamin Elliott of Washington County, Missouri.