Elmore W. Ross

As printed in 1902

ELMORE WILLARD ROSS.

The name of Ross figures prominently on the pages of the history of Springfield in connection with its manufacturing interests, Elmore W. Ross having been connected with an enterprise which is to-day one of the leading industrial concerns of the city. ‚He was born in Auburn, New York, and for some time attended the Military Academy at Sing Sing, that state. He also pursued his studies under the direction of a private tutor and later entered Yale College, but at the end of a year was obliged to leave school, as his eye sight failed and he was totally blind for a time. The following year was spent at his old home in Auburn, during which time he regained his sight and then embarked in the wholesale coal business at that place.

Subsequently Mr. Ross removed to Fulton, New York, where he took charge of what was then known as the Wasson Manulacturing Company, which had come into his father's hands through a business transaction, and on the death of his father our subject assumed control of the business, the firm name being changed to E. W. Ross & Company. They were-extensively engaged in the manufacture of machinery and continued in business at Fulton for a number of years or until the demands of the business made them seek a more central point with increased facilities and they came to Springfield, Ohio, in 1885. Two years later a plant was erected on the present site at the junction of Warder street and the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis Railroad. The various buildings are substantial brick structures, equipped with the latest and most improved machinery and cover an area of fifteen acres. The company was incorporated on the Ist of January, 1890, with a capital stock of one hundred thousand dollars and Mr. Ross served as its president until his death, which occurred in 1892. Since then his wife has held that position, while his son, Elmore Preston Ross, has served as secretary of the company. They manufacture agricultural implements of various kinds, furnishing employment to one hundred and twenty-five men. Their trade not only extends throughout the various states of the Union, but their exports are large, shipments being made to various parts of Europe and South America.

Mr. Ross married Miss Mary Muir Fitch and to them was born one son, Elmore P. Mrs. Ross’ father was Nelson Fitch, who was born in Auburn, New York, a son of Abijah and Lanah (Nelson) Fitch, the former of English and the latter of „Scotch descent. His ancestors came to America in 1635 and settled in Norwalk, Connecticut. Mr. Fitch was educated in the schools of Auburn, New York, and there remained until twenty-five years of age, when in 1849 he sailed for the gold fields of California, going around Cape Horn. After spending two years in the far west he returned to his native city and later became connected with the Wadsworth Manufacturing Company of that place. He was also interested in the manufacture of edged tools in the state prison and was identified with a number of other business enterprises, being a man of broad capabilities. Prior to the déath of Mr. Ross he removed to Springfield, Ohio, and when that gentleman passed away he became general manager of the E. W. Ross Manufacturing Company, continuing as such until he too was called to his final rest, April 11, 1897, when the active management was assumed by J. B. Cartmell as treasurer and John L. Zimmerman as vice president of the company. In 1852 Mr. Fitch married Miss Nancy Muir, also a native of Auburn, New York, and a daughter of Robert and Nancy (Bennett) Muir, the former a) native of the south of Scotland. By this union were born three children: Mary M., who became Mrs. Ross; and Lillias and Stearns, both deceased. Mr. Fitch cast his first presidential vote for Henry Clay, the Whig candidate, and later became a strong Republican.

Elmore P. Ross, the father of our subject, was a Democrat in his political views but was not an active politician in the sense of office seeking, although he was a very prominent and influential man in New York. He was one of the leading business men of Auburn, where he was a resident prior to the opening of the New York Central Railroad. He was also largely interested in real estate in various cities and in the anthracite coal fields, and was one of the incorporators of the Merchants Union Express Company, afterwards merged with the American Express Company.

As printed in A Biographical Record of Clark County Ohio (1902). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.