The Ross Families of Crawford County, Ohio

ROYAL R. ROSS.

The Ross family, to which our subject. Royal Resolved Ross, who is a leading citizen of Crawford county, Ohio, traces his ancestry, originated in Scotland, from which country his great-grandfather came generations ago, settling in Pomfret, Connecticut, among the early settlers. The grandfather was a well known physician there who later removed with his family to Otsego county Xew York, where the father of our subject grew to manhood and married; in 1825 he came to Crawford county. The parents of our subject, Abel C. and Celia ( Emmons) Ross, had a family of four children, but our subject is the only survivor. Two died in infancy and one daughter, Phoebe Alzina married Wiliam Cuykendall, who at death left four children, viz.: Ross, Dorr, Edessa and William R.

Abel Ross was born in Pomfret. Connecticut, in 1800, and was a son of Royal Ross. After his marriage in the state of New York he came to Craw ton 1 county, Ohio, and settled on the farm in Auburn township, which is now the property of Alfred C. Ross, and here he entered eighty acres of land, and in later years added thirty-two and one-half acres to the original purchase. At that time it was virgin forest, but he worked hard and succeeded in clearing it up, and lived in the log cabin, which he built upon it, until our subject was eighteen years of age. Then Mr. Ross built a commodious and comfortable frame residence, and lived here until his death.

The mother of Mr. Ross, of this sketch, died when he was only four years old. By a later marriage, to Miss Laura A. Carlisle, three more children were added to the family: Byron H., Celia A. and Alfred C, the last named residing on the home farm. In his early years Mr. Ross was a Whig", and later naturally connected himself with the Republican party. Although not a member, he was a supporter of the Baptist church, and was known as a man of probity and Christian life and character.

Royal R. Ross was born in Auburn township, Crawford county, Ohio, on November 2, 1832, and he was a son of Abel C. and Celia (Emmons) Ross, as mentioned above. He grew up on the home farm and acquired his education in the common schools, all of his attendance, with two years' exception, being in the pioneer log hut, with slabs for benches and with a luncheon floor, over which the little barefooted children had to walk with circumspection, always being in danger of splinters. When he had reached the age of nineteen years our subject began to work for neighboring farmers, assisting in the having and harvesting, and was a welcome hand for the following four years, being strong and willing.

About 1855, desiring to see something of the world, Mr. Ross went to Charlotte, Michigan, and worked through one year in a sawmill there, going then to Marion, in Linn county, Iowa, where he was employed during the next year on a farm. A party of friends desired Mr. Ross to accompany them to Kansas, and he bought a horse and made his way to Independence, Missouri, where he joined them, but the party was detained some weeks and our subject in the meantime found temporary employment. They all reached Neosho Falls, Kansas, but finally decided to turn back. Mr. Ross returned with them to Ohio, and found business conditions better in his native place than in other sections of the country. In 1858 he entered into a partnership with Samuel Hilborn and Samuel Wynn and they built a steam sawmill in this township, and this enterprise was successfully conducted for seven years. During this time Mr. Ross bought a farm of one hundred acres, known as the Williams farm, later trading this for one of eighty acres, located near the mill. Two years later he sold this property to advantage and bought eighty acres, where he now resides, selling the mill at this tune and removing to his present property, where he now owns one hundred and twenty acres of well-improved and highly cultivated land. Forty acres of desirable land our subject gave to his sons.

The marriage of Mr. Ross was in 1860, to Miss Mary- A. Aumena, and to this union five children were born, their names being as follows:

Emmons W., who is a farmer in this township; William B., who is a farmer of Richland county, Ohio; Fred R., who is a resident of Bloomville, Ohio; and Amelia A. and Howard, who have passed away.

In politics Mr. Ross is a Republican and has filled a number of the local offices with credit to himself, notably those of justice of the peace for two terms and some five terms as township trustee. He is a member of the Methodist church, in which he is both trustee and class-leader and to which he 'contributes most liberally. Mr. Ross is highly respected as a self-made man and as one of sterling character, upright and honorable in his citizenship and esteemed in every relation of life.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

R. R. ROSS, farmer and stock-raiser; P.O. Plymouth; was born in Auburn Township, Crawford Co., Ohio, Nov. 25, 1832. He is a son of A. C. and Celia (Emmons) Ross, who were the parents of four children: Phoebe A., Melissa, one that died in infancy, and Royal R. Royal is the only one living. Mr. Ross' biography will be found in connection with the biography of A. C. Ross, in another part of this work. Mrs. Ross, mother of our subject, was born April S, 1802, in New York. She died as she lived, a conscientious Christian. Her death occurred in Auburn Township in 1830. Royal R. lived on a farm until he was 2:4 years old. and on the 1th of October, 1S1J0, was united in marriage with Mary A., daughter of Adam and Susanna (Harley) Aumend. and by her had five children-Emmons born Sept 13, 1801; Willie B., lion April 23, 1N05; Amelia, born Sept. 24. 1N08, died December 11, 180S; George H., born Sept. 10, 1872, died Dec. 28, lST'J, and Freddie EL, born Sept. 27, 1878. Mrs. Ross was born July 0, 1340, in Auburn Township. Both of these parents are the descendants of old and honored settlers, who came into the wilderness in search of a home. The present condition of their children and grandchildren attest the success with which they were met Mr. Ross is a Republican in politics, and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. They own 100 acres of highly improved land, where they live happily together, making no pretensions, but having the respect and good-will of all their friends and neighbors.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected.

A. C. ROSS, farmer; P. O. Tiro; was born in Auburn Township, Crawford Co., Ohio, June 11, 1842. His father was Abel C. Ross, who came to Auburn Township in 1825, it being then an almost unbroken wilderness. The father was married lu-st to Celia Emmons, Sept. 22, 1822, and by her had the following family: Phojbe A., Melissa A., Royal R., and one that died in infancy without being named. The wife died Feb. 23, 1837. Mr. Eoss remarried March 5, 1838, his second wife being Laura (Carlisle) Eoss. From the second marriage the following family were born: BjTon H., Alfred C. and Celia A. The father was born April 28, 1800, and died Dec. 17, 1875. The mother is yet living, and makes her home with her son A. C. Byron was a member of Company H, bath O. Y. I., in the late civil war. He is now dead. Celia is married. A. C. Eoss was reared upon a farm; was married, Sept. 22, 1871, to !Mary J. Hoak, a daughter of Jacob and Mary (Kay lor) Hoak, and by her had one son and one daughter — Mary A., born Dec. 29, 1873, and Royal H., born May 31, 1876. The wife was born July 80, 1849. Mr. Ross is one of Auburn Township's best farmers. He owns 111 J acres of well-improved land. Belongs to the United Brethren Church, and is a Reiiubliean. The death of his brother Byron and his widow left two children — Alvin E. and Bertha A. The former lives with our subject, and the latter with his half-brother, Eoyal E., in Auburn Township.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

JOHN ROSS, farmer; P. 0. Bucyrus; is the son of Linus H. and Jane (Emerson) Ross, and was born Dec. 12, 1831, in Pickaway Co., Ohio. His father was born near Elizabethtown, N. J., Oct. 19, 1799, and was of Scotch-English descent. He came with his parents to Pickaway Co. when 6 years old, and, at the age of 25, he was married to Miss Jane Emerson, a native of Kentucky. They had seven children, three of whom are yet living — Abigail Monnett, of White Co., Ind.; Eliza Hostler, of Cairo, Ill.; and our subject. The father died in August, 1871, in his 72d year, the mother dying Sept. 28, 1878, in her 73d year. His father commenced life poor, first as a brick-burner, and later as a mason; but at one time owned 1,700 acres of land. The subject of this sketch worked on a farm until he was 14 years of age, at which time his father's family came to Crawford Co. and settled in Dallas Township, where, in 1827, the father had entered a large tract of land, and had grazed large numbers of cattle on it until 1845, when he removed there. Mr. Ross received a common-school education, and, at the age of 17, began handling cattle, doing quite a prosperous business. In 1853, he removed to his present farm, where he has 340 acres of fine farming land. He is at present engaged in raising thoroughbred cattle, and has a fine herd of fifteen short-horn Durhams, being of the finest Kentucky blood. He is also engaged in buying and feeding sheep. He is one of the prominent, influential men of his township, and

I is enterprising and a good business manager.

j He is a Republican in politics. He was married, Oct. 19, 1853, to Miss Lucinda W. Tharp, of Bucyrus Township, the daughter of Joseph

I Tharp and Phoebe (Kinnear) Tharp, and was j born in Whetstone Township June 20, 1834.

I They have seven children all living — Linus H..

born Aug. 21, 1854: Jennie, Feb. 15, 1857; John P., Dec. 28, 1858; Maggie H., March 24,

1862; Anna K., Jan. 3, 18fi5; Joseph W., April; 16, 1868; and Talmage J., Nov. 28, 1871.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

LINUS H. ROSS, farmer and stock-dealer; P. O. Bucyrus; was born Aug. 21, 1854, in Bucyrus Township, and is a son of John Ross. He attended the common schools until he was 1 8 years of age, when he entered the Bucyrus Union Schools, remaining for one year; in 1875. he attended Mt. Union College, and in 187(5. Ada Normal School, thus laying the foundation for future usefulness. He was married Oct. 17, 1877, to Miss Kate Monnett, youngest daughter of Abraham Monnett, who was born Jan. 8, 1858, in Scott Township, Marion Co., Ohio. They have one child— Grace A., born Feb. 12, 1879. Mr. Ross has always worked on a farm, and for a number of years has been dealing in stock, as partner of his father until 1876. when he embarked in the business alone, dealing in sheep, hogs and cattle, and has a farm of 560 acres of fine land. He has lived on this place since March. 18S0, and has a fine frame residence of ten rooms, ne and his wife arc( consistent members of the M. E. Church. He is a Republican in politics. He is a thorough student, is well informed, and spends his leisure hours in reading and study.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

One of the fine farms in Lykens township is owned by Peter Ross, who has a valuable tract of three hundred and nineteen acres, all under a high state of cultivation and improved with all modern accessories. He has resided thereon for many years and is numbered among the leading agriculturists of Crawford county".

Mr. Ross was born in Germany. November 19, 1836, a son of Peter and Margaret (Simmermacher) Ross, whose family numbered six children, namely: Catherine, who married Chris Kibler, of Chatfield township; Peter, of this review; George, who died in 1899; Philip, who was one of the first contractors on building in Bucyrus, and now makes his home in this city; Margaret, the wife of Charles Jacobs: and William, who is connected with the planing mills in Crestline, Ohio.

During the first eighteen years of his life Peter Ross, of this review, remained in the fatherland, and during that period pursued his education in the public schools. It was in the year 1854 that he came to America as a passenger on a sailing vessel, which was twenty-eight days in reaching the harbor of New York. The following year his parents also came to the new world. Our subject spent the first year after his arrival in working as a farm hand in Vernon township, and in 1855 he came to Lykens township, where his father purchased eight acres of land, upon which he now resides. Only fifteen acres of the land had been cleared, and a log house was almost the only improvement on the place. Mr. Ross continued to engage in agricultural pursuits upon that farm until 1866, when he went to Jackson, where he was employed for a year. Later he rented land for a year and then returned to the old homestead, where he has since remained a resident. As his financial resources have increased he has made judicious investments in property and is to-day the owner of three hundred and nineteen acres, constituting one of the attractive and desirable farms of the county. The fields are thoroughly tilled and usually yield excellent crops. In his farming operations Mr. Ross has ever been industrious and progressive, and his place, in its neat and thrifty appearance, is proof to the passerby of the careful supervision of the owner.

In 1867 Mr. Ross married Miss Elizabeth Schimp, and unto them have been born ten children: Emma, deceased; Philip; Jacob; Henry, deceased; Charley, Adam, Tilley, Henry, Martha, who died on the 18th of October, 1 901, and Christian. The parents are members of the Lutheran church, in which Mr. Ross has served as trustee and as a township official. He contributes liberally to its support and is deeply interested in its welfare and growth. He exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Democracy. His life has been one of honorable activity, in which his enterprise and industry have enabled him to overcome all obstacles and work his way upward to success. It was a wise decision that brought him to America, for in this land he found the opportunities he sought and has gained a comfortable competence.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

GEORGE ROSS was an honorable, upright and successful business man of Bucyrus, O., for many years and was closely identified during that time in its material development. He was born in Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, May 31, 1839, and died at his home in Bucyrus, May 29, 1899. He was one of a family of seven children bom to his parents, who were Peter and Margaret (Zimmerman) Ross.

George Ross was 15 years old when he accompanied his parents to America and grew to manhood on the old farm in Lykens township, Crawford county, O. His father died early but his mother survived into old age. After his school days were entirely over he learned the carpenter trade which included house building, at Sandusky, his younger brother, the late Philip Ross having also learned his trade at the same place. The brothers came to Bucyrus and formed a partnership and continued together in a building and contracting business in this city as long as they lived, the younger member of the firm continuing for six years after the death of the older. Many of the fine buildings of all kinds which adorn this city were erected by this firm and from their own plans. Mr. Ross was noted for his reliability and it was often remarked that this firm was thoroughly dependable. He was a man of quiet life, a Democrat in his political opinions but no seeker for office, and a faithful member of the German Lutheran church. He provided an insurance for his family, being identified with the Royal Arcanum and the Royal Home Society.

Mr. Ross was married in 186=5 to Miss Emma Jacobs, who was born in Lykens township, Crawford county, in June, 1843, and is a daughter of August and Frederica (Bear) Jacobs. They were natives of Germany, where they were reared and married, soon after embarking on a sailing vessel for America. They reached the United States after a voyage of seven weeks and were landed at the port of New York and from there came to Springfield, O. After two years there they came to Lykens township, where they were among the early settlers. Their first home was a log cabin built in a little clearing made by Mr. Jacobs and their neighbors were Indians. By trade he was a carpenter and he followed the same and also managed to clear and develop his farm of loo acres. Here he died in 1890, aged 79 years, having outlived his wife for 19 years. In their youth, in Germany, they had been confirmed in the German Lutheran church and they continued in that faith during the rest of their lives. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Jacobs, the two survivors being Mrs. Ross and Charles Jacobs, both being residents of Bucyrus. To Mr. and Mrs. George Ross were born a daughter and a son — Carrie May and Frank George. The former, who was born in 1875, died May 6, 1909; she was the wife of Peter Bossier, who died six years after their marriage, leaving no children. The latter, Frank George, was born Dec. 16, 1877, is unmarried and makes his home with his mother. He is a well known and popular engineer on the T. & O. C. Railroad. He is a Knight Templar Mason, an Elk, belongs to the Uniform Rank, Knights of Pythias, to the order of Eagles and to the Forester organization and to the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers. Mrs. Ross is a member of the German Lutheran church, in which Mr. Ross was an elder for many years.

As printed in the source³. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

PHILIP ROSS, deceased, was a leading business man of Bucyrus, O., for many years and was valued and esteemed by his fellow citizens, lie was born in llesse-Darmstadt, Germany, July 3, 1843, and was a son of Peter and Margaret (Zimmerman) Ross. The family came to America on a sailing vessel in 188, landing at the harbor of New York, and from that city they came on to Crawford county and secured heavily timbered lands in Lykens tow ship. I here Jacob Ross died, two years later, before he had time to develop a farm. Ilis widow afterward made her home will) her son Peter and died there in 1893, aged eighty-

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l’H [LIT ROSS GEORGE ROSS three years. In Germany they had been confirmed in the Lutheran church and they were attendants of the same at Chatfield, O.

Philip Puss was the third youngest in a family of seven children and was eighteen years of age when the family came to America. lie attended school at Chatfield and later a mechanics and arts school at Sandusky, and afterward became a skilled carpenter and builder, following this business for many years. He went into partnership with his brother George, in building contracting in 1868, at Bucyrus, and continued in the same until his death, on January 24, 1905, having survived his brother for six years. They were considered reliable and efficient men in their line anil erected many of the halls, private residences and public buildings in this city, including the Opera House. Politically Mr. Ross was a Democrat and enjoyed the confidence of his party and served for some terms as a valued member of the city council.

Mr. Ross was married at Bucyrus, on May 26, 1878, to Miss Theresa Vollrath, who was born in this city, March 17, 1857, and has always lived here. Her parents were Albert and Catherine (Mailer) Vollrath, natives of Saxony, Germany, who came to America with their parents in 1852, in the days when it required three months to cover the great waste of water rolling between Europe and America. Lor one year afterward they lived at Rochester, N. Y., and then came to Bucyrus, where Albert Vollrath died November 15, 1907, aged seventy-eight years. He was engaged during his active life in the planing mill business. The mother of Mrs. Ross died August 5, 1895, aged sixty years. They were members of the German Lutheran church. Mr. and Mrs. Vollrath had one son and four daughters born to them: Mrs. Ross; Malink, who is the wife of E. R. Birlc, of Bucyrus; Carrie, who is the wife of Charles Fisher, of White Plains N. Y.; and William and Louisa, both of whom died unmarried.

Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Ross namely: Otto C, born April 1, 1879, who resides af home and is connected with the T. & O. ( Railroad Shops; Marry Jacob, who was born August 12, 1880, and who is a machinist with the American ( lay Machinery Company; and Ora Irene, born August 2, 1881, who is a graduate of the Bucyrus High School in the class of 1900. She is a member of the English Lutheran church, while her mother and brothers retain membership with the German Lutherans. The late Philip Ross was a Scottish Rite Mason and was also a member of the Knights of Pythias.

As printed in the source³. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

JOHN WILLIAM ROSS, who is a retired business man of Crestline, O., for 'many years was among the foremost men in the lumber industry in this section and is well known throughout Crawford county, having been identified particularly with the business activities of Crestline. He was born in Hessen Darmstadt, Germany, May 25, 1847, a son of Peter and a grandson of Peter Ross.

The father of Mr. Ross was born also in Hessen Darmstadt, in 1803, one of a family of six children and one of the two to come to America, the other one being his brother, John Ross. The latter came also to Crawford county and alter marriage lived in Lykcns township, where he and wife died and Ins descendants still live there. I ’Her Boss, Jr. grew up on his father’s small farm in Germany and in early manhood was married to Margaret Simmermaehcr, who was born in an adjoining province, in 1807. In 1853* niter the birth of their children: Catherine, Peter,

George, Margaret, Philip, Lizzie and John V william, Mr. and Mrs. Ross made preparations to emigrate to America, led to this step, undoubtedly, by a desire to provide better opportunities for the future of their children, in an industrial way, than they could command in the crowded old country. The family embarked at ITavre, on the sailing ship, William Tell, and after a safe and enjoyable voyage of 38 days, having tine weather, w'ere landed safely in the harbor of New York, in June, 1853. -From there, by way of boat, they reached Cleveland and preceded on to Sandusky City, O., and from there to Shelby, where a kinsman met them and transported them to Vernon township. From there they came to Lykcns township and here very soon Mr. Ross purchased 80 acres of wild land, a discouraging appearing property at that time but one, which, after developing, proved that Mr. Boss’ judgment and foresight were not at fault. This line land, now highly improved, belongs to his son and namesake, Peter Ross, the third in the family of that name. On this farm in Lykens township the parents lived until they died, he in 1856, probably of one of the malarial diseases that attacked the early settlers in almost every section and were responsible for many sudden deaths. Plis widow survived him for many years, her death occurring when within three months of her bath birthday. They were members of the Evangelical church. One of their children, Lizzie, died in infancy, but six accompanied them to America and of these there are three still living.

[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]

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1 1 38 large enterprise alone until 1905, when he leased his plant and retired to private life, but still retains ownership. In many ways Mr. Ross has been a useful citizen, investing his capital in different concerns which in their infancy needed a little help and encouraging others by his enterprise, energy and public spirit, and today he stands as one of the city's representative men, enjoying to the fullest extent the esteem of business associates and competitors and a wide circle of personal friends.

Mr. Ross was married at Crestline, to Miss Alary Foltz, who was born here Sept. 12, 1856, a daughter of Bartholomew and Catherine (ITelfrich) Foltz. In early life they accompanied their parents from Germany and were reared in Holmes township, Crawford county, where they attended school and after marriage at Bucyrus, moved to Crestline, where Mr. Foltz became connected with the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. Both he and wife died in this city when aged about 71 years. They were members of the German Lutheran church, to which Air. and Mrs. Ross also belong and in which Mr. Ross has been a deacon for 15 years. To Air. and Mrs. Ross was born one son, who died in infancy. Mr. Ross is a Democrat in his political views.

As printed in the source³. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

JACOB F. ROSS, one of the leading citizens of Lykens township, Crawford county, O., where his valuable farm of 119 acres is situated, was born in this township, Sept. 4, 1 87 1, and is a son of Peter and Elizabeth (Schimpf) Ross.

Peter Ross and wife were both born in Germany and he yet survives and resides on his farm in Lykens township. She passed away in 191 1. They had the following children born to them: Philip, who is deceased; Jacob F.; Charles; Matilda, who is the wife of Chirstian Brown; Adam; Christian; Henry; and Martha, who is the wife of Jacob Kalb.

Jacob F. Ross attended the district schools when he was a boy and ever since then has given a large part of his time to general farming, prior to his marriage working by the month but since then has operated his own land. He is a practical, industrious man, not given to experimenting but rather keeping to methods which he has proved to be sensible and safe, and is recognized as one of the successful agriculturists of this section.

In 1884, Mr. Ross was married to Miss Anna Shafer, a daughter of Valentine and Elizabeth (Schaaf) Shafer, formerly farming people in Chatfield township but now living retired in Chatfield village. The parents of Mrs. Ross had the following children: Catherine; William Leonard; Mary, who was married (first) to Benjamin Zucker, and (second) to Daniel Koch; Anna, who became Mrs. Ross; Sophia, who is the wife of Albert Hartchue; Henry; Arlena, who is the wife of Harrison Kibler; and Frank, George and Harvey.

Mr. and Mrs. Rotes have one daughter, Marie. They are members of the Lutheran church. In politics Mr. Ross is a Democrat and has served as supervisor of Lykens township.

As printed in the source³. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.