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.
Born 1841
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)
CHARLES E. ROSS, who has his residence and l\[ I-, farm on section 9, in the town of Lincoln, * came to this county in the fall of 1882, and carried on agricultural pursuits on both rented land and property of his own, for several years in Ashton and Lincoln Townships. In the spring of 1886 he rented the farm upon which he now lives, and, after raising one crop upon it and finding that it suited him, bought it.
Charles E. Ross is a native of Wcrraont, born in Newark, Caledonia County, Januiiry 14, 1841,
When about five years of age his parents. Elijah and Clarissa Ross, moved to New Hampshire, where the family resided for some years. At the.age of nine years Charles went to live with his sister, in Vermont, where he grew to manhood.
[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]
1865, he was engaged in driving a team in the neigiiborhood of the latter fort.
Returning to New Hampshire, he there made his home for about two years, removing thence to Vermont, and in the latter State remained until the fall of 1879. After a short time spent in Boston, he started for the West and landed in.Jefferson County, Kan., January 18, 1880. He remained there until October, 1882, when he came to Monona County as related above.
Mr. Ross was united in marriage September 12,
1866, at Si)ringRelil, Mass., with Miss Julia H. Danforth, and by their union they are the i)parents of three children — Ada C, Walter C. and Ilattie E.
ylLLIAM L. RING, a well-known pioneer of Monona County, and one of the fore- most citizens of Cooper Townshiii, of which he was an early settler, is a man whose practical ability, prompt and methodical business habits and self education, justify the confidence and esteem with which he has inspired his fellow citizens. He was born in Dutchess County, N. Y., May 7, 1815, and is the son of Lewis and Eleanor (Duboise) Ring. His father, a native of the same county-, was born in 1787, and was a physician, and died in that portion of the Empire State, as did his wife.
They had a family of eight cliiklron, of whom the following four are living: Elizabeth D., William L., George L. and Oscar.
Our subject grew to manhood in the county of his birth, receiving in youth a common-school education, and at the age of seventeen commenced an a)prenticeship at the carpentering trade, at which he has worked, both as employe and contractor, in New York City, Charleston. S. C, Utica, (ilenns Falls and on Long Island, until 1813. In the fall of the latter year he removed to Boston, Mass., where for twelve years he followed the same vocation, but growing tired of city life, in 1855 started West to engage in agriculture. After spending the winter in St. Louis, in the spring of 1856, he came to Council Bluffs, and in the following fall, to Monona County, where he settled on section 6, Cooper Township, taking up a claim of one hundred and sixty acres. He has seen this county grow from its infancy, for on his arrival here he found but few settlers in.the neighborhood, and, in fact, in this part of the State. He has developed his farm and greatly improved it, but for some years has rented it, as age stealing over him, necessitates his giving less attention to the active cares of business.
Mr. Ring was united in marriage at Onawa, Towa, December 11, 1867, to Miss Sarah E. Ring, a daughter of Peter and Hannah (Hagadorn) Ring, a native of Dutchess County, N. Y., born Marcb 14, 1837.
In the fall of 1873, Mr. Ring was elected County Treasurer, and filled that office most acceptably for some two years. He has also served as County Supervisor and in several of the minor offices of the county and township. In 1863, he was elected County Superintendent of the common schools, but would not qualify-, not desiring the office.
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.