Ross, C.

ROSS, RUDLOFF

Posted By: Roseanna Zehner
Date: 7/25/2006 at 12:32:27

ROSS, C.

C. Ross, a leading merchant and prominent business man of Doon Lyon County, was born in the province of Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, in 1868, and spent the earlier years of his life at home with his parents, where he attended school and made those provisions of knowledge and character that have counted so much for him in after years. When he was fifteen years old he came to the United States, and secured a position as clerk by his attention to business and care for details made his services of value to his employers, so that he was retained in his first place five years. In his second position he remained three years, a situation in Sioux City as clerk in an exclusive dry goods store.

In 1901, on the money he had saved by his frugal habits, he was able to take a trip to his old German home to see his parents and to lay fresh colors on the pictures of old friends and scenery of his boyhood days. He spent the summer in his native land making extended trips to various quarters and forming a more accurate idea of that great empire.

When Mr. Ross returned to Doon he was able to purchase an interest in the leading general store of that place. It was under the firm name of Bailey and Ross, which in 1892 became Peters and Ross, and in 1896 was changed to Ross and Company. In 1900 the store passed into the hands of Mr. Ross alone, and he has since done business under his own name. During all these years his trade has gradually increased until now it amounts to thirty or forty thousand dollars a year, and he is the sole proprietor. His is the largest stock in the city, and for its proper handling he has constructed a large double store which is the pride of the county. This building was necessary in answer to the demand his successful trade makes upon him.

Mr. Ross was married in 1894 to Miss Mary Rudloff, a daughter of William Rudloff, who was born in Prussia. Mr. and Mrs. Ross are happy parents of a bright and interesting family of six children: Lorena, Mildred, Lillie, Cornelius, Henry and Mary. Mr. Ross and his family are associated with the German Lutheran church. He is a charter member of Lodge 356, Knights of Pythias, of Doon. He is also a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, of which he is banker. In the Modern Brotherhood of America he is an active member. Mr. Ross is a Democrat and at the present time holds the position of president of the school board. He is president and treasurer of the Doon mutual Telephone Company.

His parents were born in Germany, where the father was a merchant. They had a family of eight children and as quickly as they reached maturity he would assist them to cross the ocean. Mr. C. Ross was the second son to come to the United States. In 1900, father, mother and all that were left crossed to this country, and are making a home in this land of liberty and peach. A portrait of Mr. Ross will be found elsewhere in this volume.

Source: Compendium of History Reminiscence and Biography of Lyon County, Iowa. Published under the Auspices of the Pioneer Association of Lyon County. Geo. Monlun, Pres.; Hon. E. C. Roach Sec’y; and Col. F. M. Thompson, Historian. Geo. A. Ogle & CO., Published, Engravers and Book Manufacturers. Chicago, 1904-1905

Transcribed by Roseanna Zehner, Darlene Jacoby and Diane Johnson