In the book's own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
From History of Monona County, Iowa; containing full-page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, together with portraits and biographies of all the Gove (1890)
ENJAMIN F. ROSS, the present efficient County Superintendent of common schools, residing at Onawa, was born in Clinton County, Peiin.,.Tuly 11, lier)2, and is a son of Samuel A. and Margaret (Hullihan) Ross. He grew to manhood in his native State, and having grounded his education in the common school, finished it at the Farmers' High School, atNew Lebanon, Mercer County. In 1871 he came to Onawa, arriving there March 22, and was engaged in school teaching in the county for several years. In the fall of 1875 he purchased a farm on section 21, Lincoln Township, which contains one hundred and sixty acres of land, which is now under an excellent state of cultivation, and which he still owns. At the same time he was engaged at his professional labors, he improved his farm and successfully carried on stock-raising. In the fall of 1887, he was the regular nominee of the combined Democratic and Union Labor convention for Superintendent of common schools, of the county, to which he was duly elected, and in 1889, being elected his own successor, is now serving his second term. In 1877 he formed a partnership with his brother, f!.
M. Ross, in the real-estate, loan, insurance and collection business, which is still carried on under the management of the latter.
Mr. Ross was united in marriage, December 25, 1873, with Miss Sarah M. Herring, a native of Winnebago County, Ill., who was born April 5, 1854, and is a daughter of Benjamin and Honor E. Herring. Her father was born in Oxford County, Me., and was a son of John and Mercy (Haskell) Herring, who were among the pioneers of Winnebago County, where they died. Benjamin, after his marriage removed with his family to Greene County, Wis., where he worked at his trade of a cooper. During the Civil War he enlisted in Company B, Twenty-second Wisconsin Infantry, and while engaged in the defense of his country, during one of the dreadful conflicts that marked the course of the war, was captured by the rebels, and confined in Libby Prison. After his release and discharge in the spring of 1865, Mr. Herring came to Monona County and took up a homestead on section 20, Lincoln Township, where he resided until the spring of 1889, when they took a trip to visit his friends. Mr. and Mrs. Herring were the parents of five children, three of whom are living: Sarah M. and Mary M., twins, and Lillie J., the wife of A. E. Wheeler, of Eugene City, Ore.
Mr. and Mrs. Ross are the parents of four children: Samuel B., born Octobers, 1874; Harry W., December 7, 1876; Grace E., January 8, 1881; and Margaret A., May 23, 1883.
[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]
Mr. Swenson was married June 20, 1863, to Miss Jane Evanson, a native of Norway, who was born March 9, 1846, and is a daughter of Evan and Isabel Evanson. Of this union there have been born seven children — Anna, Swen,.julia, Pilena. Carl, Isaac and Josie Matilde.
As printed in History of Monona County, Iowa; containing full-page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, together with portraits and biographies of all the Gove (1890). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
The printed record stops around 1890. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.