John M. Ross

JOHN M. ROSS, a representative and progressive young farmer and stock-raiser of Salem Township, making his residence on section 29, is a native of Indiana, having been born in Clinton County, Dec. 22, 1854. He is a son of James and Hannah (Milburn) Ross. His mother was a native of Virginia, and his father is believed to have been born in Kentucky; the former's ancestors were of English origin. His mother is still living in Clinton County, Ind., and is now nearly seventy years of age, and is spending her declining years amid relatives and friends, enjoying the fruits of a life spent in usefulness and well-doing. The father of our subject was killed in a railroad wreck near Stockwell, between Indianapolis and LaFayette, Ind., in October, 1864.

The family of James and Hannah Ross consisted of ten children, eight of whom are living, as follows: William E., residing in Livingston County, Ill.; James F., of Sedgwick City, Kan.; Dr. Charles F., of Saunemin, Ill.; John M., the subject of our sketch; Frances E., living in Clinton County, Ind.; Mary J., the wife of George Price, of Salem Township; Rachel, wife of David Anderson, of Clinton County, Ind.; and Evangeline, Mrs. Alhandra Smith, living in the latter place. The parents of him of whom we write were among the early settlers of Clinton County, where the father served as Justice of the Peace for some years, and like all pioneers in the Hoosier State suffered many privations and hardships in those early days.

The subject of this biographical sketch was reared to manhood in his native State, and in his youth received his education in the common schools of that locality. He made his home beneath the parental roof until his marriage, which interesting event occurred Oct. 10, 1875. On that day and date he was united with Miss Eliza B. Cooley, a native of Boone County, Ind., who was born July 8, 1858. The lady of his choice is a daughter of William F. and Julia A. (Orchard) Cooley, both of whom are natives of Kentucky. Her parents had a family of ten children, seven of whom are living, viz: James M., William D., Thomas A., John H., Frank E., Story W. and Eliza B. Her mother died Nov. 24, 1873, but her father is a resident of Waco Township, having come to Kansas in 1881.

The family of Mr. and Mrs. Ross consists of four bright and intelligent children: Fidelia M., born Oct. 17, 1877; James C., Sept. 16, 1879; William E., Sept. 18, 1882; and Lelia F., Feb. 14, 1886. In the fall of 1880, with his family, our subject came to Sedgwick County, Kan., and in the following spring settled on the farm on section 29, where he is at present residing. He is the owner of eighty acres of land, which he has brought by diligence and excellent management to a high state of cultivation. He is a Republican in politics, and has served for two years in the office of Treasurer of Salem Township, and is School Director for his sub-district at present, this being his third year. Both he and his wife are conscientious and consistent members of the United Brethren Church, and are valuable members of society.

Source Citation: Boone County Biographies [database online] Boone County INGenWeb. 2007. <http://www.rootsweb.com/~inboone> Original data: Chapman Brothers, "Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan." 1888, p. 411. [online data] The KSGenWeb Project, Sedgwick County,<http://skyways.lib.ks.us/genweb/index.html>

Submitted by: T. Stover - October 27, 2007