Thomas ROSS, one of the oldest residents of Mount Ayr, is a native of Jefferson County, Ohio, born July 4, 1816, a son of Thomas and Susannah (HOLLAND) ROSS, his father a native of Delaware, and his mother of Maryland. They were married in Washington County, Pennsylvania and subsequently moved to Ohio, and when our subject was seven years old, to Richland County, now Ashland, Ohio, where the mother died. In 1848 the father moved to Iowa, and lived in Mahaska county several years, moving thence to Ringgold County, where he died in 1862. Thomas ROSS remained in Ashland County until nineteen yeaers of age. he attended the district school in the winter, working on the farm in the summer, until eighteen years old, when he began teaching. He alfterward attended school at Norwalk, Ohio, and then went to Huron, where he clerked in a store, and in 1838, came West as far as Jacksonville, Illinois, where he was employed on the engineer corps the following summer. He then taught in Sangamon County, and in August, 1844, came to Iowa, and lived in Mahaska County eight years. In 1852 he went to Wapello County, and in 1859 removed to Ringgold County, locating in Mount Ayr. He engaged in the dry-goods business until 1861, when he closed out his stock of goods, and assumed the duties of clerk of the court, and ex-officio member of the Board of Supervisors. He held that office until 1870, when he again embraked in the dry-goods business until 1877. He has held various local offices, among others, being treasurer of his township, assessor and justice of the peace, hold he latter office at the present [1887] time. He was married in Sagamon County, Illinois, in 1839, to Martha H. (sic) McMILLAN, a native of Scott County, Kentucky. They have seven children, two sons and five daughters. Mr. ROSS is a member of the Odd Fellows order. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Espicopal Church.

NOTE: Thomas ROSS was a Civil War Veteran, serving as a Private in Company K of the 39th Iowa Infantry. Thomas died March 4, 1872, and was interred at Rose Hill Cemetery, Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa. Martha Ann (McMILLAN) ROSS was born November 19, 1821, and died in 1888. She was interred at Rose Hill Cemetery, Mount Ayr, Iowa.

SOURCES:
Biography & Historical Record of Ringgold County, Iowa, p. 229-30, 1887

WPA Grave Survey; IAGen Gravestone Photograph Project

Civil War Soldiers and Sailors Database

Transcription and note by Sharon R. Becker, January of 2009

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