ROSS, John - 1890 Bio (1825-1914)

ROSS, RIDER, WINDERS, BURNSIDE, DAVIES

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 8/23/2007 at 20:30:17

Portrait and Biographical Album of Jefferson and Van Buren Counties, Iowa, Printed 1890 by Lake City Publishing Co., Chicago
Pages 407-408

John ROSS, a representative farmer of Fairfield Township, Jefferson County, residing on section 3, has been connected with the growth and advancement of this community since April, 1866. He was born in Fayette County, Pa., and owns an interest in a farm which has been in possession of the family since 1783, The first member of the family of whom we have any record was Robert ROSS, the grandfather of a second Robert ROSS, who was the original ancestor of the American branch, and the great-grandfather of our subject. The father of John ROSS was Hananiah ROSS, who was born April 18, 1800, and died in the same house where his birth occurred. The maiden name of his wife was Hannah RIDER.

The subject of this sketch received a common-school education and was reared to farm life. He visited Jefferson County in 1847 on a prospecting tour but did not then make a location. He returned to his native State and on the 10th of February of the following year was united in marriage with Miss Rebecca J. WINDERS, a daughter of Samuel and Margaret (BURNSIDE) WINDERS. She was born in Meadeville, Pa., and her mother belonged to the same family of which Gen. BURNSIDE was a member. The following children graced their union: Laura; Virginia; George Y., who married Emma ROSS and is now a dealer in hardware and machinery in Plano, Iowa; Jessie S., wife of Thomas DAVIES, who is living in Black Hawk Township, Jefferson County; William G., an attorney of Fairfield, and Alma. Margaret and Josiah, the two eldest of the family died at the ages of twelve and twenty-two years respectively.

For a few years after his marriage, Mr. ROSS engaged in farming in his native State but in 1855 turned his attention to merchandising which he carried on in Masontown, Pa., for some eleven years. Selling out in 1866, he then came to Jefferson County and making a location on section 3, Fairfield Township, has since carried on farming with some degree of success. As regards his political sentiments he is now a Republican, having supported that party since its organization. His first Presidential vote was cast in 1849 for Zachary Taylor. Mr. ROSS was instrumental in the organization of the County Agricultural Association which has now been in existence for fifteen years. He was made its first secretary and still holds the position, having been continuously in that office with the exception of three terms. He has also been the Secretary of the School Board of Fairfield Township for a continuous period of twenty years and has done not a little for the advancement of the cause of education in this neighborhood. Mr. ROSS is an enterprising and successful farmer and has been prominently indentified with the public affairs of Jefferson County since his arrival in Iowa, and ranks among its representative citizens.

*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.