Jacob Q. Cross

Jacob Queener Cross (1850-1932) was Scott County’s fifth Superintendent of Schools, serving in that capacity from 1875 to 1879.

See Also: Scott County School Superintendents
Preceded By: Alvin Parker • Succeeded By: Jasper Hughett

Biography

Jacob “Jake” Queener Cross was born on June 15, 1847, the son of William Absalom Cross and Margaret Peggy Massengale Cross. He was one of at least seven children.

Cross’s grandfather, Absalom M. Cross, was born in 1799 in Virginia, and migrated to Scott County. He appeared in the Campbell County census in 1830. He purchased 25 acres of land on Rock House Fork of Buffalo Creek in 1844. This section of Campbell County became Scott County in 1849, and Absalom Cross was listed on the Scott County census in 1850. He eventually moved to Smokey Creek.

William Absalom Cross was a veteran of the Civil War, joining the Union army when Gen. Ambrose Burnside marched through Scott County in September 1863.

Following the war, Jake Cross married Almira “Myra” Jane Lowe, the granddaughter of Mikel Lowe, who is believed to have been the first settler of Scott County. They were married on Jan. 19, 1871. Following her death in 1905, he married Myra J. Chambers (1890-1958). Between the two women, he had at least 10 children and perhaps as many as 14.

Civil War service

Like his father, Jake Cross joined the Union army during Burnside’s march through Scott County. He would have only been about 16 at the time. 

Professional Life

Cross served as a road commissioner, deputy marshal and constable during his adult life. He also worked in the lumber business.

Superintendent of Schools

Cross was appointed Scott County’s fifth superintendent of schools by the Scott County Court in 1875. He was reappointed to a second term in 1877. He succeeded Alvin Parker in that role, and was followed by Jasper Hughett.

Death

Cross died of cystitis on April 8, 1929, at the age of 81. He was buried at Riverview Cemetery at Smokey Junction.

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