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Doraville Whitney was the
first Black settler in Isabella County in 1860. The first documentation of
an African-American settler in Mecosta County Michigan was James Guy.
His deed was signed by Abraham Lincoln. He obtained 160 acres in Wheatland
Township on May 30, 1861. Lloyd & Margaret Guy were the first
Black settlers in Montcalm County in 1861. The Homestead Act of 1862 allowed each
settler 160 acres in Michigan. By 1873 African-Americans owned
1,392 acres in the three counties of Isabella, Mecosta and Montcalm.
In the 1860's most of the land in Remus was owned by the Old Settlers. |
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e 1860's
most of the land in Re
SECTION 1
Thomas W. Cross
SECTION 2
Amos Cross
Section 3
Edward Cross
SECTION 4
John Cross
SECTION 5
Joseph Cross
SECTION 6
Samuel Cross
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Joseph Cross
Pictures Courtesy of Nikki Langan
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Joseph & Rosanna (Lett) Cross |
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Lela
Cross
Children Reggie & Pat
(Joseph and Arillia's
Daughter -
Taken 1947) |
Joseph Cross, the third child of
Thomas W. and Catherine (Harper) Cross, was born March 31, 1858, in
Hocking County, Ohio. He came to Michigan in 1869. Joseph
married Rosanna Lett, 1884 in Remus, Michigan. To this union one
son was born, Samuel. Rosanna died shortly after the birth of their
son.
Joseph later married Arillia Lett in 1887 in Remus,
Michigan. Joseph owned land near Weidman, Michigan, that he farmed.
Joe was a kind man with compassion for his friends, neighbors and family.
Joseph and Arillia's children were Lola, Leroy, Edna May, Ida, Janette,
Stella, Lela Leona and two unnamed children that were stillborn.
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There are "Old Settlers"
who came from Canada via "The Underground Railroad." It was the
most dramatic nonviolent protest against slavery in the United States
that began in the Colonial Era and reached its peak between 1830 and
1865. An estimated 30,000 to 100,000 slaves
used the "railroad" to get to Canada; many others escaped to Mexico,
the Caribbean, and Europe.
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