Notes
Note N403
Index
BUTLER STEWART CROSSY, M. D.
Dr. Butler Stewart Crossy, successfully engaged in medical practice in St. Louis, was born in New York city, August 14, 1871. His father, the late John Stewart Crossy, was a native of Ireland and came to the United States in 1842, when but eight years of age. He became an actor, well known as a comedian, enjoying a national reputation under the stage name of J. C. Stewart. He devoted his talents to the histrionic art until his death in 1905, passing away in St. Louis when seventy- one years of age. He was instrumental in establishing the, first open-air show in St. Louis, then known as Bechner's Garden, which was opened during the '60s on Fifth street, between Morgan and Franklin avenue. He also built and conducted the Broad Street Theatre in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and produced the initial performance of "Pinafore." He married Isabell Cooban, who was born in Liverpool, England, and came to America with her parents in 1849, at the age of seven years, the family later settling in St. Louis, where the daughter became the wife of Mr. Crossy. To them were born four children, three sons and a daughter: Frank and John, who have passed away; Butler S., of this review; and Annabelle, now the wife of William F. Morrow, of St. Louis.
Dr. Crossy of this review was educated In the public schools of Philadelphia and in the Jefferson Medical College of that city and afterwards attended the Kentucky School of Medicine at Louisville. He became resident physician of the City Hospital of Baltimore, Maryland, where he served one year, returning to Philadelphia where he engaged in general practice until 1902 and then removed to St.Louls, where he has since followed his profession. He has specialized on rheumatics, and also gives his attention to the general work of the profession and is a successful family physician in many of the households of St. Louis.
It -was in this city, on the 7th of December, 1912, that Dr. Crossy was married to Miss Belle De Frates, a native of Vincehnes, Indiana, and a daughter of J. L. and Anna De Frates.
Politically Dr. Crossy is a republican and is a firm believer in the principles of the party but has never been an office seeker. During the war he served as examining physician for the Canadian-British recruiting office. He finds his creation in motoring and has spent some of his most pleasant hours in his automobile. His entire life has been devoted to his professional interests, and the thoroughness of his work and his comprehensive understanding of the scientific principles of the profession have gained him a creditable place as a physician and surgeon of St. Louis.
Centennial history of Missouri: (the center state) one hundred ..., Volume 4 By Walter Barlow Stevens
Notes
Note N404
Index
Listed as Illegitimate and Father John Leithead a wool factory worker of 9 Dickson Street, Wilton, Roxburghshire, Scotland
Notes
Note N405
Index
Information from Helen Cousins in an e-mail November 8, 2009.
I continue to find new information about my Scottish forebears and thought you would be interested to hear about Michael - son of Dorothy Pavis (my mother's sister) and the lady who you was buried in Hawick cemetery and who you helped me research. Do you remember ?
We knew that Dorothy (Doris) had one son and recently Peter and I went to Pebmarch to find his grave and also the grave of my Grandmother Isabella Botwright. We found both graves but were mystified to find the inscription on Michael's grave named him as Michael Daniels. Anyway this is Michael's story.
"Michael John was born to Dorothy when her husband John Pavis was serving with the Army abroad. Michael's mother Dorothy died when Michael was 2 years old. At the time of her death Dorothy's mother (my Grandmother Isabella Botwright) was in Hawick with her daughter and was caring for baby Michael. After Dorothy's death Isabella begged Michael's father to allow her to take Michael back to Pebmarsh to live with them but John Pavis refused and kept Michael with himself.
A few months after Dorothy's death John met and married an ATS girl but she was not willing to take on raising Michael. Michael then went to live with John's mother - her surname was Daniels - Mrs. Daniels had been married twice (Pavis being the name of her first husband and John's father). Mrs. Daniels adopted Michael and changed his name to Daniels.
After a time Mrs. Daniels felt she could not cope with raising Michael so she asked my Grandparents Isabella and Harry Botwright to take him, otherwise he was to be put into an orphanage.
Isabella and Harry were overjoyed to have Michael but they never adopted him officially so his name remained Daniels. Michael never again saw his father or his Grandmother Daniels.
Michael died from Leukaemia when he was 11 years old and his death certificate names him Michael John Daniels otherwise Pavis. Before his burial the children from Pebmarsh Village School lined his grave with a wire frame covered in wild flowers."
Such a sad story - poor little boy. However, I remember seeing Michael on a few occasions and I know he was much loved and very happy during the years he lived with Harry and Isabella.