John Ross 1852-1919

ROSS, MCKEEN, SHARKEY

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 12/8/2010 at 00:38:24

John Ross Victim of Paralysis on Last Friday Eve
Was Prominent Business Man of Estherville
Pioneer Resident of City
Funeral Monday in Charge of the Masonic Lodge – Highly Respected Citizen

Death came to relieve the sufferings of John Ross last Friday. He had been sick for two weeks, having been stricken with a stroke of paralysis and it was know that he could not recover. Mr. Ross was a man that commanded the respect and enjoyed the confidence of the entire community. He purchased the Boggess pluming shop almost a year ago and had since conducted that business. He made a splendid success of the business from the start. His death is a serious loss to the city of Estherville and the entire community extends deepest sympathy to the bereaved family in this hour of sorrow. Following is the obituary as handed us by his pastor:

John Ross was born November 22nd, 1852, in the North of Ireland. He came to this country when a youth of nineteen years. His people were Episcopalians, and he was confirmed in the Episcopal church and when he came to America he identified himself with the Episcopal church in Philadelphia. He never transferred his membership from that place. He was united with Miss Sadie McKeen in Grundy Center, Iowa, in 1903. He leaves to mourn his departure his present wife and son, John Lee Ross, of Lohrville, Iowa, and his half brother, David Sharkey, of Lake City, Iowa, and numerous other relatives not mentioned here. Mr. Ross has lived in Estherville for about 16 years. He departed this life in quietness August 30, 1919, aged 66 years, 9 months and 8 days. He has been a member of the Masonic fraternity for about 25 years. From conversations I have personally had with him I know that he greatly loved the lodge and its high ideals. He has been honored by his brethren in being elected to the highest official honors and offices in the gift or his local lodge. He was a Past Master of the Blue Lodge and at the time of his death he was the Eminent Commander of the Knights Templar Commandery of this city. He was a 32nd degree Mason, and I am told was one of the best posted Masons in this part of the country. We visited him once during his sickness and on returning from our brief vacation were shocked to find him dead. His good wife tells me that she prayed with him, and that he passed away with hope, and without fear. As one of the sons of men he has gone to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets. The silver cord has been loosed, the golden bowl has been broken, the pitcher has been broken at the fountain and the wheel broken at the cistern. The dust shall return to earth as it was and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.

The funeral services were conducted in the Methodist church by the pastor, and the burial service was in charge of the Masons of the Estherville Lodge. (Estherville Democrat, Estherville, IA, September 3, 1919)

Some Added Facts to Life of John Ross
Last week we were called upon to print the life history of John Ross, one of the respected residents of this city, who was called to his eternal rest. In getting the obituary, some of the facts were overlooked which should have been given. Mr .Ross had four children by a former marriage in Philadelphia. Two of the children are dead and the two surviving are John V. Ross, of Lohrville, Iowa, and Margaret L. Ross of Glenwood, Iowa. There are three grandchildren surviving him also. We are glad to make this addition to the life history of a man that has done much for Estherville. (Estherville Democrat, Estherville, IA, September 10, 1919)