Clark, Robert Carlton, Ph.D. "History of the Willamette Valley Oregon."  Vol. 2.
Chicago: Chapman Publishing Company, 1927. p. 75.
 
CURTIS B. CROSS
 
     Curtis B. Cross, who controls the destiny of the Valley Packing Company, is
a conspicuous member of that select coterie of enterprising business men to whom
Salem is indebted for its commercial development and bears a name that is
inseparably associated with the history of the city's upbuilding and progress.
He was born in Salem, April 19, 1887, and has always resided here, devoting his
energies to a business which has been followed by three successive generations
of the family in the same business and in the same city.  His parents were Edwin
c. and Jessie (Baskett) Cross, of whom the former was born in Salem, October 17,
1859, and passed away May 18, 1921.  The grandfather, Thomas Cross, was a native
of England and sought the opportunities of the United States when but a boy.
Soon after landing in New York he left for Chicago where he engaged in the meat
business.  Later, however, he felt the call of the west and leaving Danville,
Illinois, in 1852, came across to plains by ox team to Salem.   Here he became
the pioneer meat dealer of that section and established the first packing plant.
He thrived in to business, having several large contracts with the government
for supplying the army during the Civil war, and also had a big volume ot
business in Portland, in addition to his local trade. The only means of
transportation at that time was by boat.  He became the owner of thousands of
acres of land in and around Salem, which later on became too burdensome and
caused him to become financially embarrassed in 1884. In that year, 1884, his
son, Edwin C. Cross took over the business and assumed the liabilities of his
father's business.   He continued this business on both a wholesale and retail
basis with success until his health began to fail. In 1907 Curtis B  Cross
entered the firm, purchased one-half of the business and continued under the
firm name of E. C. Cross & Son until 1912 when he acquired full control.
 
     The Valley Packing Company was incorporated in February, 1919, starting as
a foundation with the consolidated wholesale and manufacturing interests of both
Curtis B.   Cross and Steusloff Brothers, also well known meat dealers of Salem.
This plant started operations January 1, 1920.   At that time F. W. Steusloff
was president, W. H. Steusloff, vice president and Curtis B. Cross, secretary
and treasurer. The plant is located in the northern limits of the city on the
Pacific highway. August, 1926.   On March 1, 1927, Curtis B. Cross was elected
president, W. H. Steusloff, vice-president, E. M. McKee, secretary, and William
S. Walton, treasurer. The plant is located in the northern limits of the city on
the Pacific highway. The buildings are of concrete and steel and first class in
every particular, making a model institution. It is one of the best and most
modern plants of its size on the coast, having the latest improved machinery and
equipment, and is operated under the supervision of the United States bureau of
animal industry, department of agriculture.   Two inspectors are stationed at
the plant at all times.   This plant is one of Salem's chief industries, having
a yearly payroll of close to seventy-five thousand dollars, and gives employment
to fifty men and women.   Their annual volume of business amounts to one million
dollars.  It is of great importance to the livestock interest of the surrounding
territory as it maintains an advantageous market at all times for all the hogs
produced and most of the other livestock.  The weekly capacity is one thousand
hogs, three hundred sheep and two hundred cattle. The products of the firm bear
the "Cascade" label, which indicates the superlative degree of excellence in the
line in which they specialize.   Distribution of products takes in all the state
of Oregon, southern Washington and northern California.
    
     In 1911 Mr. Cross married Miss Barbara Durbin, a daughter of Frank W. and
Clemma M. (Sellady) Durbin of Salem, the former a successful farmer, cattle
breeder, dairyman and hop dealer. Mr. and Mrs. Cross have a family of three
children: Edwin C., Frank D., and Virginia E.
 
     Along fraternal lines Mr. Cross is a member of the Masonic order and also a
member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is one of the
influential members of the Chamber of Commerce, as well as one of Salem's
substantial business men. He is a member of the board of directors of the Salem
Y. M. C. A., having served for the past fifteen years, was a member for a term
of three years of the Salem school board, is a charter member of the Salem
Cher-rians and also was a charter member of the local Kiwanis Club. He votes the
republican ticket at general election, but at other times casts his ballot for
those he considers best qualified, regardless of party affiliations. He loyally
supports all projects or movements for civic betterment and his record reflects
credit upon an honored family name.

     
*******************

Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in July 2016 by Diana Smith.  Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.