ROSS, William Graham - 1912 Bio (1859-1926)

ROSS, DAVIES, LAMPSON, LAMSON

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 9/27/2007 at 16:21:58

History of Jefferson County, Iowa -- A Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievement, Vol II, Published 1912, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago
Pages 214-216

W. G. ROSS, who is serving for the second term of four years as postmaster of Fairfield, having been appointed to the position in 1904, has made a most creditable record in the office, administering the affairs of his position in a prompt and businesslike manner, which has won him the good will and respect of his fellow townsmen. He was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, February 19, 1859, his parents being John and Rebecca ROSS, the former born in Fayette county, February 10, 1825, and the latter in Washington county, Pennsylvania, September 14, 1827. They resided in the Keystone state until 1866 and then came to Jefferson county, Iowa, where they have since made their home, being now located in Fairfield. In the east the father followed merchandising, conducting a store at Masontown, Pennsylvania, for about fifteen years but after coming to the middle west he took up the occupation of farming and for many years owned and cultivated a tract of land in Center township, upon which he lived until ten years ago, when he retired from active life and took up his abode in the county seat. He has likewise been greatly interested in every project and measure for the public good, become one of the incorporators of the County Fair Association and for twenty years served as its secretary. He is the only one of the original members still living. He has also been secretary of the school board of his township for twenty years or more, and the cause of education finds in him a stalwart champion who did much to raise the standard of the public school system in the country districts. His politcal belief has always been that of the republican party since its formation and his religious faith is manifest in his membership in the Presbyterian church. His has been an active and well spent life and his present rest from labor is the fitting crown of former toil. Unto him and his wife were born seven children: Margaret, who died in 1860, at the age of eleven years; J. M., who passed away in 1873; Laura V., at home; George Y., who is managing a rice plantation in Arkansas; Jessie, the wife of Thomas DAVIES, of Fairfield, W. G., of this review; and Alma, who died in 1896.

When a lad of seven summers W. G. ROSS accompanied his parents on their removal from Fayette county, Pennsylvania, to Jefferson county, Iowa, and was here reared upon the old home farm, early becoming familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. Ambitious to enjoy better educational advantages than the public schools offered he entered Parsons College and completed the course in 1880 with the first class that was graduated from that institution. He afterward took up the study of law in the office and under the direction of Senator Wilson, and was admitted to practice in 1883. He later became a partner of J. M. Galvin, under the firm style of Galvin & ROSS and so continued in active practice until 1889 when Mr. Galvin went west. Mr. ROSS continued the practice alone until 1904 when he was appointed postmaster and put aside his professional duties. He made such an excellent record during his first term in the postoffice that he was reappointed in 1908 and is therefore serving for the seventh year in that position. He has also held other public offices, having been county attorney from 1891 until 1895 and city solicitor from 1895 until 1904.

Mr. ROSS was married in 1893 to Miss Carrie LAMPSON (sic - LAMSON) and they have an attractive home in this city, which is justly celebrated for its warm hearted hospitality. Mr. ROSS has ever been deeply interested in the welfare and upbringing of Fairfield and has never withheld his cooperation when his aid was needed for the furtherance of public projects. For twenty-two years he has been secretary of the executive committee of Parsons College and for over twenty years he has been a member of the board of directors of the Fairfield free public library. His entire life has been imbued with a spirit of progress, and energy and determination have enabled him to reach out continually toward the goal which has ever been before him. For forty-five years he has lived in the county and is widely known among the older citizens as well as the more recent arrivals. Years have proven his worth and won for him the warm friendship of the majority of those with whom he has come in contact.

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