History of Michigan, / by Charles Moore. [Vol. 3]

HISTORY OF MICHIGAN

1397

and took up the life and labors of a pioneer. After a long and active
career, marked by prosperity in material things, and honorable dealings
with his community, the father now lives retired at Spring Lake, Michigan. He is a Republican in politics, a member of the Masonic Order,
and his wife was active in the Baptist church. Of their four children
Charles B. Cross was the oldest the others being: Lewis L., who is a
farmer and is a bachelor; George H., an attorney at Traverse City; and
Ira, a Michigan farmer. The maternal grandfather was Peter B. Tenny,
who spent his life in New York State as a farmer.
Charles B. Cross grew up in the country around Spring Lake. where
he attended the local schools, and at the age of sixteen was qualified and
taught his first term of school. School teaching was largely the means
by which he was enabled to pay his way through college. In I887 Mr.
Cross graduated from the Valparaiso University Law School, and after
teaching one year began practice in I888. At first he was alone, then became associated with Chamberlain & Cross, then in the firm of Cross &
Lovelace, and then as head of the firm of Cross, Lovelace & Ross, from
which the present partnership was formed.
In I888, Mr. Cross married Miss Myrtle E. Hill, a daughter of
Charles J. Hill, a prominent farmer and an old settler in this state.. To
that union have been born four children: Claude L., who for two years
taught manual training, and is now taking a course in dentistry at the
State University in Ann Arbor; Arthur G., fourteen years of age; Clarence R., aged eleven; and Elinor. Mr. Cross has social relations with
the Masonic Order and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks,
and in Masonry he has been Master of his Lodge and is Past Eminent
Commander of the Knights Templar. For a number of years, Mr.
Cross has taken a decided interest in political affairs, has gone on the
stump in a number of campaigns, and his support has been regularly
given to the Republican party. His record of public service includes a
term as assistant prosecuting attorney and four years as prosecuting attorney.
JOHN BORNMAN. Born near Neustadt, Germany, in 1835, coming
over to America while a mere youth, starting his business career as a
newsboy in Detroit, working nights for an education, apprentice in the
office of the old Detroit Advertiser. * * * Employed as compositor in
the printing house of O. S. Gulley, then foreman, partner, and finally
senior partner of one of the largest printing houses in the state of
Michigan. Such, in brief, is the life of John Bornman, veteran printer,
head of the firm of John Bornman & Son, Detroit, Michigan. If genius
is the capacity for hard work, of taking pains-then John Bornman is
indeed a genius. His life is an inspiration to all. It is the old, old
story of success achieved by keeping everlastingly, intelligently at it.
What this man has done, all can do. His is the life of an ordinary man
accomplishing the extraordinary, under conditions where luck, influence,
pull or fortune played no part. Therein lies the inspiration.
John Bornman was born August 7, 1835, near Neustadt, Germany.
While a young boy he, with his parents, Dietrich and Elizabeth (Immel)
Bornman, came to America, finally landing in Detroit, which city they
made their permanent home. It is not only a compliment to, but a characteristic of, the race which gave him birth, when it is noted that the
first thought' of young Bornman in his adopted city was to get an American education. His second thought was to get work. This was imperative, inasmuch as at all times he had to be self-supporting.
His first job, like many another successful American, was that of
newsboy. It seems almost incredible to state-but it is a fact-neverthe