THE Liberal Unionist member for Camlachie wan born in Monteith Row, Glasgow, 4th November, 1847, and is the eldest son of the late William Cross, of Alexander Cross & Sons, seed merchants and chemical manufacturers. In the classes of Glasgow University he attained considerable distinction, but his studies there were cut short by the death of his father, and he left college to apply himself to share in the active control of the business, which many years before had been begun by his grandfather. The great advancement in scientific agriculture afforded just at that period an opportunity of which he took full advantage, and in his time the business has made wide developments. On the death of his uncle, Mr. David Cross, he became the senior partner, and has been so for 27 years. Always an ardent politician, he was Chairman of the Glasgow Liberal Association, and took so noted a part in the work which preceded the passing of the Liberal Franchise Bill, that he was invited in 1885 to stand for the fairly assured Liberal constituency of Camlachie. This was declined for business reasons, but at the General Election of that year he acted as chairman of the committee which secured the return of Mr. Gilbert Beith for the Central Division of Glasgow against Mr. J. G. A. Baird.  Mr. Gladstone's Home Rule Bill, however, made him a Liberal Unionist, and in the following year he was chairman of the committee which secured the return of Mr, Baird. Six years later Mr. Cross stood for Camlachie, and captured the seat, which he has held continuously notwithstanding a vigorous opposition at each of the four elections since that time. Apart from his own business. Mr. Cross became a Director of the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce in 1890, and he is also a Director of several industrial companies. He is a Free Trader, and has been an independent supporter of the Unionist Party during his Parliamentary career.
    Mr. Cross married in October, 1908, Agnes Jane, daughter of the late J. G. Lawrie, shipbuilder, Glasgow.

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