Alfred Ernest Cross

Alfred Ernest Cross (June 26, 1861 – March 10, 1932) was a Canadian politician, rancher and brewer, known as one of the Big Four who founded the Calgary Stampede in 1912.

Early life Born in Montreal, Cross was the oldest of seven children. He trained as a veterinary surgeon.

Cross moved to Alberta in 1884 to work at a ranch near what is now Cochrane, Alberta owned by Matthew Henry Cochrane.

In 1899 he married Helen Rothney Macleod (1878-1959), the daughter of North-west Mounted Police Commissioner Colonel James Macleod, who gave Calgary its name.

Business By 1886 Cross owned his own ranch, the A7 Ranche, located near what is now Nanton, Alberta.

Legacy Cross died in 1932. The following have been dedicated in his name: A.E. Cross Junior High School located in Calgary, Alberta. The Big Four Building at the Stampede Grounds in Calgary, Alberta. A.E. Cross' original house in Calgary, located in the community of Inglewood, is the location of Rouge Restaurant.