Hon. William D. Cross, son of Joseph (2) and Bridget (Browning) Cross, was born on his father's farm in Charlestown, R. I., November 5, 1832. He spent his boyhood on the farm. He received his elementary education in the local district schools, and in 1857 became a student in the East Greenwich Academy, where he remained for a year. On completing his studies he returned home, and until reaching the age of twenty-one years, he was his father's assistant in the management of the farm. On attaining his majority, however, he entered upon a business career, and for one year traveled in Georgia for a large publishing house. He then returned to Rhode Island, locating in Carolina, with which town he was identified almost continuously thenceforward until his death. Here he entered the cigar factory of Tucker, Pierce & Company to learn the trade. Some of his time while learning was spent in East Greenwich. In 1868, Mr. Cross became manager of the cigar factory of L. W. Kingsley, of Providence, and remained in full charge of this enterprise for one year. At the end of this time, having amassed a considerable capital, Mr. Cross established himself independently in the cigar manufacturing business at Carolina. The venture, begun on a small scale, grew rapidly to large proportions through his judicious management, and was a success from the very outset. In 1872 Mr. Cross relinquished all other business interests in order to give his entire time and attention to the affairs of his cigar factory. He became widely known in manufacturing circles in Carolina and the surrounding county, and became a recognized leader in business interests. Through prominence in business life he naturally was brought into the field of public affairs.
Mr. Cross became active at an early date in the civic interests of Carolina. He was a staunch believer in the principles and policies of the Republican party, but was never influenced against his better judgment by party precepts. He was a keen student of the affairs of the times, a man with an instinct for public service, which was backed by an unimpeachable moral and ethical code. In 1872 he was first elected to represent his town in the Rhode Island House of Representatives. In 1880-81 Mr. Cross was a member of the upper house of the Rhode Island Legislature. In 1898 and 1899 he was again elected to the Assembly , and in 1900, 1901 and 1902 was returned to the Senate. In 1869 he became a member of the Town Council of Carolina, which office he filled ably and well in 1870, 1871, 1879, 1880, 1883 and 1884; from the latter year up to and including 1902 he was president of the council, with the exception of the years 1891 and 1892. From June, 1897, to June, 1903, he was town treasurer. In 1873-74 he was commissioner of Indian schools for the Narragansett tribe, which was then living on the reservation in Charlestown. In 1872, Mr. Cross erected Samoset Hall, the only public building in Carolina. On the lower floor of the building he established his manufacturing plant. Mr. Cross was widely known in fraternal and social circles in Carolina and the vicinity. He was one of the pioneer members of the Washington County Agricultural Society, and for two years was one of its vice-presidents. He was a popular and influential member of Friendship Lodge, No. 16, of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Carolina. Few men who were his contemporaries in the life of Carolina wielded a larger or more beneficial influence in its affairs than William D. Cross. He was a leader of more than ordinary ability, inspiring immediate confidence, not only in his honesty and fairness, but in his wholehearted devotion to the interests, but in his wholehearted devotion to the interests of the town. He was identified prominently with every movement which had for its end the advancement of public welfare, a subject always close to his heart. He was a gentleman of the old school, sincere in his friendships, kindly, courteous, and genial. His death was regarded as a personal bereavement by the entire community.
On May 22, 1869, Mr. Cross married Martha S. Fry, daughter of James and Eliza (Wilder) Fry, of Carolina, R. I. They were the parents of the following children: 1. Emma E., who became the wife of Frederick C. Barber, of Carolina. 2. Mary D., born Nov. 14, 1875, died aged four years. 3. George W., married Maria Grimes; they are the parents of one son, William D. Mrs. Cross, who survives her husband, now at the age of seventy-six years, is the active manager of his business and estate. She is vigorous and active, and an able business woman, directing the affairs of the Cross manufacturing plant and supervising its books. She is widely known and eminently respected in social circles of Carolina. She is a member of the Free Baptist Church of Carolina. Hon. William D. Cross died at his home in Carolina, R. I., on January 14, 1916, in his eighty-fourth year.
