T. J. "Tom" Ross (ca. 1848-1901)

ROSS, BOARDMAN, HORTON

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 10/18/2010 at 21:22:56

From Nevada Representative February 27, 1901

Death of T. J. Ross.

Very few of those who at any time have been citizens of Story county exerted a greater influence on developing the interests and moulding the character of this community than did he whose name leads this article. He came from Knox county, Ohio, and settled at Iowa Center in 1851. For thirty years he was an active factor -- that related to the growth and welfare of Central Iowa, and was particularly prominent and helpful in the earlier history of this county.

His name was on the first successful republican ticket for the office of County Treasurer. The contest was vigorous, and the result clearly indicated how closely the lines were drawn. The entire ticket was elected, the majorities ranging from two to twelve. After three terms he declined to be again a candidate. Afterward he held the post office at Nevada. He was at one time a prominent candidate for the office of State Treasurer.

Judicious investments in real estate laid the foundation for a compentency but this was impaired and involved by signing the financial obligations of others. He took the remnant to Great Bend, Kansas, about fifteen years ago, and was financially successful there. He died in Great Bend, February 15th, 1901, aged fifty eight years.

Mr. Ross had two daughters: the elder was the wife of Dr. Chas. D. Boardman, of Des Moines. She died recently, leaving three sons. The younger daughter is Mrs. Carrie Horton of Ames, who has a daughter and a son.

Mr. Ross was a man of many sterling qualities. His business capacity was of a high order. He was painstaking, correct, reliable, and thoroughly honest. He marked out his course for himself, and pursued it to its legitimate results. He was impatient over the wavering of weaker men, and resented, sometimes bitterly, financial, political, and personal treachery. Being a true and brave man he despised falsehood and cowardice.

Dr. Boardman was with him in his final illness and at his death. At his own request he was buried at Great Bend, by the Knights Templar.

From the Nevada Representative March 6, 1901

An Old Friend's Death.

Under the above heading John M. Brainard of the Boone Standard, who was editor of this paper in the 60's and understood as well as any one man and conditition in Story county when the county was forming, pays the following tribute to the late T. J. Ross, whose death at Great Bend, Kansas, February 15, at the age of 68 was noted in our last issue:

The writer of thses lines held a county office at Nevada at the time the subject of this sketch was treasurer, which gave ample opportuniy to know the sterling qualities of head and heart which characterized him. Many of the men were at the fron with Grant before Vicksburg, and their wives and children were assisted in the struggle for existence by the public purse, through taxation. Some of these were not always wise in the use of their funds when these came into their hands, and the skill and tactful control which he managed to exercise in this delicate matter pointed him out as possessed of much of the prudence which in higher walks of administration mark the genuine statesman. He was by nature genial, frank and kindly; but there were one or two characteristics which he never would forgive in those who employed them upon himself or his friends; He would not--and apparently could not--forgive treachery, low cunning and base deceit. To the remonstrance of his familiars not to worry himself over such a discovery, he would reply, "I want to teach the scoundrel the difference between a man and a sneak," and it must be confessed that he usually was successful in finding an opportunity to give the lesson.

Those were the formative days in an early community and it was men like "Tom Ross" who materially aided in attracting to Nevada, and to the county, a population which is not excelled for good character elsewhere in the State of Iowa. The good impulses of youth and proper training had not yet been slurred over by greed for gain and the vanities which find wealth a necessity for their exercise; society was democratic; he or she who behaved had friends and free admission to all that was going, and thus the opportunity for the diffusion of good principles and the results of good breeding had full sway in the community. The same thing is now sought to be accomplished by such institutions as "The Hull House," in Chicago, and by "Settlements" in that and other cities; but we of the early days had them brought unconsciously, to our doors without suspicion of intent or purpose, naturally and in the most effective way.

May our old friend, who was an active factor in all that we have tried to indicate, sleep peacefully in his land and narrow home.