Biographical Sketches
ROBERT ORR CROSS
Is numbered among the younger members of the medical fraternity of Kansas City, but years have not hindered his progress, which has been both steady and rapid, until today he is recognized as one of the prominent representatives of the medical fraternity in this section, and is enjoying a business which many an older practitioner might well envy.
Dr. Cross was born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, December 7, 1865, and is a son of Ralph E. and Elizabeth (Orr) Cross. The father was born near Lockport, Pennsylvania, in 1828, and was professor of geology in Alfred University, of Rochester, New York. He acquired his education in Yale College, and was graduated with the degrees of Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science. He is at present retired from professional life, and makes his home in Rochester, New York. His wife is also living and has attained the age of 65 years. Their family originally numbered 11 children, 10 of whom are now living, namely: Ralph, a commercial traveler residing in Minneapolis, Minnesota; Bryron, superintendent of bridges and bridge-building for the Santa Fe Railroad Company, with headquarters in Wichita, Kansas; Frank, who was accidentally killed at the age of 39; Volney, also a bridge-builder, living in Madison, Iowa; William, a merchant of Wyandotte, Kansas; Covert, who is engaged in business as a shoe dealer in Rochester, New York; Mrs. Esther Brown, of Brown's Valley, Wisconsin; Mrs. Chloe Hudspeth, who is living in Topeka, Kansas; Mrs. Elizabeth Long, also a resident of that city; and the Doctor.
The paternal grandfather of our subject was Alfred Cross, a native of Pennsylvania, and owner of coal mines in that state. He died at the advanced age of 80 years. His father, one of the heroes of the Revolutionary war, was a native of Philadelphia, where he lived and died. The maternal grandfather of the Doctor, Robert Orr, was born in southern France in 1871, and was of Irish lineage, his father having been a native of Belfast, Ireland, whence he emigrated to France. Robert Orr has spent his entire life in the latter country, where he is now living, at an advanced age.
Dr. Cross, although born in the Keystone state, was reared and educated near Seneca lake, New York. He attended school until 18 years of age and then became identified with the interests of the west, emigrating to Missouri. He has since been a resident of Kansas City. He took up the study of medicine with Dr. Leonard, and subsequently attended medical lectures at the Kansas City Medical College, at which institution he was graduated with the class of 1889. Ambitious to attain a degree of perfection that would place him among the most able members of the medical fraternity in this city, he went to the east and pursued a course of study in Bellevue College, New York City, being graduated in 1890. The Doctor then returned to Kansas City, where he has since made his home; and although his professional career has covered a period of but 5 years he has won a high reputation, which is justly merited. He continues his investigations in the line of his professional labors and devotes himself to extensive reading and study. He is a member of the Academy Medical Society and the Jackson County Medical Society. He is yet a young man, and the future undoubtedly holds in store for him brilliant successes which he will gain by his characteristic energy and application.
In 1893 was solemnized the marriage of Dr. Cross and Miss Alice Burkhart, of Sedalia, Missouri, daughter of John Burkhart, of that city. He and his family are members of the Methodist church. The Doctor is a genial, companionable gentleman, of sunny temperament and pleasant manner, and his cheering presence in the sick-room well supplements his medical efforts.
This page was last updated August 2, 2006.