Biography of Virgil D. Cross - Conway Co, AR *********************************************************** Submitted by: Cathy Barnes Date: 21 Jun 1998 Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm *********************************************************** SOURCE: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Western Arkansas. Goodspeed Publishers, 1891. page 54 Virgil D. Cross, active among those engaged in agriculture in Lick Mountain Township, owes his birthplace to Forsyth County, Georgia, and was born in 1850, being the eldest of two sons and one daughter born to Garrison and Sophia Compton Cross, who were born in Forsyth County in December, 1827, and in Guinnett County, Georgia, in 1826, respectively. They were married in 1849. Mr. Cross was a farmer. He served about six months in the Southern army under the command of Gen. Kirby Smith in a Georgia regiment of infantry, operating in the campaigns in Tennessee and Kentucky. His death occurred November 23, 1862, while at home on a furlough. He was a Missionary Baptist, as was also Mrs. Cross. In 1871 she came to Conway County where she was married to William Ragsdale (since deceased). Mr. Ragsdale was one of the first settlers of Conway County, where he was well and favorably known. He was a Primitive Baptist. Mrs. Ragsdale is still living. Her other children were Albert, who died in Maury County, Georgia, in 1865, and Augusta, the wife of Julius Etheridge of Faulkner County. Virgil D. grew to manhood on the farm without even the rudiments of an education, and after the death of his brother in 1865 almost the entire support of the family devolved upon him, and finding it no easy task to maintain the family in a densely populated country he concluded to try his fortune in a more favorable locality, and in 1869 came to Conway County, where, by his industry and frugality, he was soon able to send for his mother. On December 31, 1871, Mr. Cross married Malinda Ship, who was born in Conway County, April 10, 1854. Her parents, Henry and Rhoda Ship, immigrated from Mississippi to Conway County at an early day, and both were called to their last resting place during the late war, Mr. Ship being killed at his home. To Mr. and Mrs Cross were born two sons and four daughters. Soon after his marriage Mr. Cross purchased his present farm, near Centre Ridge, then with about twenty-five acres cleared. He is now the owner of 269 acres, with about 160 acres under a fine state of cultivation. This is the result of hard toil, good management and a personal supervision of his business affairs. He was for about three years, beginning in 1883, engaged in the saw-mill business. December, 1876, while working in a neighbor's mill he lost his left hand by an explosion. This unfitting him for farm duties and having no education (not even being able to write his name) he turned his attention toward the acquirement of at least a smattering of education, and attended school with his children, and was soon able to read and write. He is active in all public enterprises, and is a Democrat in politics.