Ross, R.C. 1845-1938

ROSS, KEISTER

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes
Date: 7/31/2016 at 08:21:11

The Grinnell (IA) Herald-Register
May 27, 1938

FUNERAL OF
R.C. ROSS ON
FRIDAY, 2 P.M.

Pioneer Business Man
Died Wednesday At
Age of 93 Years.

Funeral services for R.C. Ross, pioneer Grinnell business man, will be held Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock from the home of his son George R. Ross, at 817 Seventh avenue, conducted by Rev. Robert Inglis. Pallbearers will be J.L. Fellows, S.J. Pooley, Paul Meyers, V.G. Preston, Ross V. Coutts and A.M. Burton. Burial will be in Hazelwood cemetery.

Mr. Ross passed quietly away about 10 o'clock Wednesday morning. He had been in a coma since Saturday, when he suffered a stroke. Prior to that time his health had been exceptionally good for a man of his advanced age. He had passed his ninety-third birthday April 2.

Many details regarding Mr. Ross' life appeared in The Herald-Register of April 11, when a special story appeared in honor of his birthday anniversary. Little can be said in addition to what was given at that time.

He was born in Marion, Pa., but left home at the age of 15 and was "on his own" from then on. He was a news agent on trains in the south and in that capacity met many of the notable men of Civil War days. He made several attempts to enlist in the Union army but was rejected on account of his size.

After the war he operated a general store at Bellevue, Iowa, near Clinton, where he met Nettie B. Keister, to whom he was married in 1877. Mrs. Ross died in 1910. To Mr. and Mrs. Ross was born one son, George R. Ross, in whose home Mr. Ross has been tenderly cared for during his declining years. He is also survived by two brothers, John T. Ross of Salem, Oregon and G.M. Ross of Audubon.

Mr. Ross' connection with Grinnell dates back to about 1880, when he opened a hat store where the McNally Meat Market is now located. He is better remembered, however, as a shoe merchant, having operated a shoe store for many years in the location where Dave Arnold still continues in that business. Following his retirement many years ago, he traveled extensively in Central America and Mexico, and many of his interesting travel letters appeared in Grinnell papers.

As increasing age has come upon him he has been less active but he has always been loved and honored among his friends. He has been a living illustration of growing old gracefully and his friends today rejoice in his rich and completed life.