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         JOHN ROSS, a retired farmer residing at Morning Sun, is a native of Brown County, Ohio, born near Georgetown, March 19, 1820. His father, Benjamin Ross, was a native of Pennsylvania, but of good old Scotch-Irish ancestry. His mother, Catherine (Mowery) Ross, was of German ancestry, but born in Pennsylvania. Soon after their marriage they moved to Brown County, Ohio, where they resided for some years, and then moved to Clermont County, Ohio, where the mother died at a good old age. Soon after her death the father returned to Pennsylvania to visit his mother, not having seen her for thirty-six years. While on that visit, in 1854, he was taken sick with a fever and there died. Benjamin and Catherine Ross were the parents of thirteen children, only four of whom are now living, our subject and three sisters. Phoebe, one of the surviving sisters, became the wife of Archibald McLain, who is now deceased. He was a native of Sterling Township, Brown Co., Ohio, and died on the same farm on which he was born, being at the time of his death in his seventy-eighth year. For fifty years he was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and for thirty-nine years was a Justice of the Peace of Sterling Township. Delila wedded Israel Jennings, who during the War of the Rebellion enlisted in an Ohio regiment, was wounded, and died in a hospital in the Sunny South. Mary married John Hayden, who is now deceased, and is a resident of Oxford, Ohio. The deceased children were James M., Catherine, Jane, David, Hannah, Peter, Judson, Henry, and one who died in infancy. The parents were devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, living and dying in the hope of eternal life.

The subject of this sketch was reared in Clermont County, Ohio, and received his education in the common schools. In that early day the educational advantages were limited, and therefore he cannot boast of receiving a thorough education. On the 19th day of November, 1843, he married Miss Deborah Ireton, a native of Clermont County, Ohio, born Feb. 13, 1818, and daughter of Obadiah and Mary (Wood) Ireton, the former a native of New Jersey, and the latter of Kentucky. Both died in Clermont County. They also were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and ever took an active interest in church work.

After the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Ross they moved into Brown County, Ohio, where he was the owner of a small farm, and there remained until coming to Louisa County, in 1855; in the former county five of their eight children were born. The others were born in Louisa County. Of the children born in Ohio, Melinda E. wedded Jasper N. Ross, by whom she had four children, two yet living, Mary E. and Jesse C. Jasper N. Ross was not a relative of his wife. Some years since, while drawing wood, a long pole caught in the wagon, which caused the other end to strike him on the head, knocking him to the ground, and from the effects of which he became deranged, and is now at the hospital at Mt. Pleasant. Mrs. Ross is making her home with her father. Thomas, the second child, married Miss Ellen Simons, a native of Iowa; they . . .

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. . . have had ten children, eight of whom are living: Nora, Arthur E., Herman E., Thomas Carl, Charlie Nelson, John R., Clara D. and Chester C. The two deceased were Nancy L. and Sherman E. Missouri is now the wife of James H. Irwin, a resident of Henry County, Iowa; their children are Jesse B., John O., Laura M., Ellis Clyde, James R. and Walter. John Q. married Eliza Lee, a native of Iowa, and is now a resident of Winfield, Henry County; their children are Alonzo E., Orion E. and Daisy E. Mary L. is the wife of John L. Roderick, and has three children—Cora E. B., John L. R. and Emma V.

When Mr. Ross came to Louisa County, in 1855, he purchased about 130 acres of land in Marshall Township, 160 acres just across the line in Henry County, and subsequently purchased eighty acres east of his first purchase, besides about thirty acres of timber land. Altogether, since he came to Iowa, he has owned about 400 acres of land, and as his children married he gave to each a portion of land and money to the value of about $2,000 each. Upon the farm in Marshall Township he remained until 1884, when, the children all having left home, with his aged wife he removed to the village of Morning Sun, where they propose spending the remainder of their days. The object Mr. Ross had in removing to Iowa was that he might be able to secure a sufficient quantity of land upon which his children could settle, and not have far to go from the home nest. This was done, and each of his children now owns a farm, to reach which will not require more than a two-hours drive from the residence of their parents. Since coming to Iowa Mr. Ross has been very successful, and, as already stated, has been able to help his children as they went out to make homes for themselves. On Christmas Day, 1886, the entire family were gathered at the residence of their parents, and while enjoying the good things common to that day, were each presented with a sum of $500. Some of the number were in debt for their land, and by the timely aid then received were enabled to pay off the indebtedness, thus leaving their homes free. In making these presents to his children Mr. Ross thought he did but his duty, as all had remained at home until after reaching their majority, doing all in their power to advance the common interests of the family. While giving his children a part of his land, Mr. Ross has yet retained 160 acres, which he is now renting. While at present he enjoys the comforts of this life, he can yet look back and realize that he endured the trials and privations incident to a new country, and is truly thankful for the prosperity that has attended him.

In early life Mr. and Mrs. Ross united with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and have during a long life given liberally to the support of the Gospel and for the upbuilding of the Master’s cause. They have always been strong advocates of temperance, and given of their means for the prohibiting of the liquor traffic. For a period of forty-five years this worthy couple have pursued life’s journey together, endeavoring in all things to do their duty well, as becomes professed Christians. The Word of God has been to them a daily study, and in their old age they rely upon the promises made by the Giver of all good, and are now only waiting the call of the Master.