J. B. Ross

As printed in 1915

J. B. ROSS.

Fhe character of a community is determined in a large measure by the lives of a comparatively few of its members. If its moral and intellectual states be good, if in a social way it is a good place in which to reside, if its reputation for the integrity of its citizens has extended into other localities, it will be found that the standards set by the leading men have been high and their influence such as to mold their characters and shape the lives of those with whom they mingle. In placing J. B. Ross in the front rank of such men, justice is rendered a biographical fact recognized throughout Greene county by the scores who have come in contact with him during his residence here of more than three decades. Although a quiet and unassuming man with no ambition for public position or leadership, he has contributed and still contributes much to the general welfare of his chosen city and county, while his admirable qualities of head and heart and the straightforward, upright course of his daily life have tendered greatly to the substantial standing of the circles in which he moves and given him a reputation for integrity and correct conduct such as few achieve.

Mr. Ross was lion on a farm lying along the Ohio river, in Harrison county, Indiana, not far from the city of New Albany, March 9, 1851. He is a son of Jesse and Jane (Overton) Ross. The father was born in the same community the same year in which Abraham Lincoln was born, and in his earlier life was a steamboat man on the Ohio river in the days when our chief transportation was by river. In his later years he took up land in Harrison county, Indiana, and devoted the latter part of his life successfully to farming, hut eventually removed to Missouri, where his death occurred. His wife was also born in Kentucky and was reared there; her death also occurred in Missouri. They were a sterling pioneer couple, rugged, energetic, hospitable and honest. To these parents eight children were born, namely: William, the eldest, is deceased; klrs. Mary J. Fox lives in Indiana; George is deceased; Henry is deceased; Ezekiel lives in Indiana; Bernard lives in Illinois; J. B., of this sketch, and Sally, who lives in Springfield, Missouri.

J. B. Ross grew to manhood on the home farm in Indiana and there he assisted with the general work when a boy, developing a fine physique and strength of body and mind which has been a great asset to him in his subsequent career. His early education was obtained in the common schools, later by a course in Holbrook Normal at Lebanon, Ohio; but he has remained a student all his life and is a widely informed and well advised man on all questions and topics of moment and current interest, especially in political and national affairs. He began life for himself by teaching school, which he followed for some time in his native county. In 1872 he went to Helena, Arkansas, and engaged successfully in the mercantile business for a period of fifteen years. He came to Springfield, Missouri, in 1886, arriving here on November 23. Soon thereafter he engaged in the real estate business, then was interested in mining at Aurora, this state, a few years, making a success of each venture. All the while he has been actively interested in local public affairs, being loyal in his support of the Republican party, and during the administration of President Roosevelt he was appointed postmaster at Springfield, 1902 to 1910, and very" ably and successfully discharged the duties of the same until his term expired, proving to be one of the best incumbents of this office the city has ever had, giving satisfaction to both the people and the department. In 1910 klr. Ross opened a book store at 320 College street, which he has conducted to the present time. He carries a well selected stock of everything commonly found in modern book stores and is doing a very satisfactory business.

klr. Ross was married in Arkansas, in 1877, to Sophia Roberts, a lady of many estimable qualities, whose death occurred in that state before our subject removed to Springfield. She left two daughters, Elizabeth and Nellie. They have both been well educated and are popular with the best social circles in Springfield.

Mr. Ross is a member of the Royal Arcanum and the Springfield Club. Personally, he is a pleasant gentleman to meet, obliging and companionable..

JAMES WA'rSON.

Success conies to the deserving after all, though it seems sometimes that this is not the case. The man who puts forth the proper effort long enough and hard enough will achieve just about what he set out to achieve. This fact was realized early in life by James Watson, another of the sterling Tennesseeans who have cast their lot in Greene county, and by so doing have benefited alike themselves and us. He has now passed his three score and ten years’ limit of the Psalmist, and is living in retirement in his home in Ivepulilic, after a long and successful career as a general farmer and stockman. His life record has been especially characterized fjy the most absolute integrity of word and action, which has gained for him the unc[qualified respect of the entire community. Added to this is a spirit of good fellowship and geniality which has brought to him a large circle of warm friends.

l\Mr. Watson was born in Monroe county, Tennessee, September 2, 1842. He is a son of Thomas and Bersheba (McCray) Watson, and was one of ten children, eight of whom survive.

The father of these children was born in Tennessee and there grew up and married and engaged in farming until the year 1844 when he removed with his family to Greene county, Missouri, and he spent the rest of his life on farms in this and Lawrence counties, dying about 1863. He served six months in the Confederate army during the Civil war, when he was killed in Arkansas, being assassinated by his own comrades, he having attempted to escape further service in the army. The mother of our subject was born in Tennessee in 1820 and there resided until removing with her husband and children to Missouri. She spent the latter years of her life in Greene county, dying here in 1900 at the advanced age of eighty years. She was a woman of heroic settle and after the death of her husband returned from Arkansas to the farm in this county and reared her small children in comfort and respectability, and gave them such education as could lie obtained in that day in the country schools.

James Watson grew to manhood on the home farm in Greene county, having been but two years old when his parents brought him here from Tennessee, and he worked hard when a hoy assisting his mother in making a living. He received his education in the district schools. In the early part of the war between the states he enlisted in 1862 in the Eighth Missouri Cavalrv, in which he served three years in the Union army and saw considerable h.ard service, taking part in many of the campaigns and battles of that noted regiment. He was incapacitated for some time as a result of sunstroke, hut was retained for active service until honorabh discharged in August, 1865.

As printed in Past and present of Greene County Missouri; (1915). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.