GEORGE M. ROSS.
George M. Ross, a prosperous and successful farmer of Cameron township, Audubon county, Iowa, is a native of the great Keystone state, and may justly bear the distinction of being a self-made man. He has worked his way up unaided from the humble ranks of the toiler through the vicissitudes and adversities of life to an admirable and influential position among the leading farmers of Audubon county. The success attained by him in his business affairs has been due to his steady persistence, unfailing integrity and excellent judgment--qualities which have also won for him the confidence and esteem of the public to an unwonted degree.
George M. Ross was born on May 4, 1851, in Indiana county, Pennsylvania, and is the son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Cowen) Ross, both natives of Ireland. They came to this country with their parents when quite young. They were married in America. Samuel Ross remained in Pennsylvania all of his life and was a farmer in that state. He and his wife were the parents of eight children, Robert, Richard C., Mary Ann, Samuel J., deceased; George M., Sarah, David and John M.
George M. Ross was educated in the common schools of Indiana county, Pennsylvania. After leaving school, he took up the cigar business in Louisville, Kentucky, and was there for five years. In 1876 he moved to Page county, where he began farming. Two years later, he moved to Audubon county and in 1878 settled on a farm in Cameron township. He bought a half section of land at this time and now owns eight hundred acres in Cameron township and two hundred acres in Lincoln township, all of which is devoted to mixed farming. He is an extensive breeder of Hereford cattle and has a herd of one hundred head, all of which are registered. Mr. Ross has built up a great business and has many calls which come from all parts of the country for his choicest animals.
George M. Ross was married on May 23, 1878, to Alice C. Price, the daughter of William F. and Lydia A. (Smith) Price. They were natives of West Virginia and came to eastern Iowa and settled in Henry county after their marriage. He was a well-known Methodist minister in the state of Iowa. They were the parents of nine children, John L., Harriett J., Elizabeth, Alice C., Luella B., E. D., W. A., Eugenia and Nellie. It is a remarkable fact that all of these children are still living.
To Mr. and Mrs. George M. Ross have been born five children: Cameron, who lives at Gray, Iowa; Bessie, who lives at home; George, who is an artist in Chicago, who married Julia Clark; Samuel married lola Johnson; and Carl, at home.
George M. Ross is one of the most influential citizens of Audubon county, not only by virtue of his large farm holdings, but by virtue of his genial disposition and his natural capacity for leadership. He has served in practically all of the township offices and is an ardent Republican, and has been active for many years in the councils of this party. Mr. Ross served as county supervisor for two terms. Fraternally, he is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and has been prominent in this organization.
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Transcribed from History of Audubon County, Iowa Its People, Industries and Institutions With Biographical Sketches of Representative Citizens and Genealogical Records of Many of the Old Families, by H. F. Andrews, editor, Indianapolis: B. F. Bowen & Company, 1915, pp. 547-548.
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