John Ross (1808-1883) Biography
Posted with permission: Heather Ross
Beckwith, H. W. History of Vermilion County. Chicago, IL: H. H. Hill and Company,
Publishers, 1879. Biography of John Ross, pages 688-9.
John Ross, Rossville, farmer, was born in Brown county, Ohio, on the 22nd of December,
1808. He is a son of Lazarus and Lydia (Prickett) Ross. He lived in his native place,
farming, and for some time running a steam grist-mill, until 1859, when he removed to
Illinois, and settled on a farm six miles east of Rossville, Vermilion county.
His two sons, Isaac F. and Nelson E., enlisted, on the 12th of August, 1862, in Co. B,
125th Ill. Vols. They bore an honorable part in the battles of Perryville, Chickamauga,
Mission Ridge, Kenesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek and Jonesborough; marched with Sherman
to the sea; thence on the longer and more difficult campaign through the Carolinas,
fighting their last battle at Bentonville, North Carolina. They marched north at the close
of' the war through Richmond, Virginia, to Washington City, closing their active military
life in that grandest of pageants - the review of Sherman's army, on the 25th of May,
l865. The company disbanded at Chicago, Illinois, on the 27th of June, 1865.
In 1872 the subject of this sketch moved into Rossville, where he has since lived,
retired, enjoying a hale old age as the fruit of a well-spent, industrious life. He was
married on the 16th of September, 1830, to Hannah W. Ferguerson, who was born on the 9th
of May, 1810. They have seven living children: William A., Isaac T., Samantha E., wife of
Peter Reitz, Nelson E., Arminda J., wife of John W. Calton; Mary A., wife of Daniel
Romine; Orange L.
The eldest daughter, Virginia A., was born on the 22nd of March, 1838, married Erastus
Reed, and died on the 21st of March, 1859, leaving an only daughter, Sarah Luella, five
months old. The father died in 1864, and the grandparents reared Miss 'Ella, who lives
with them and imparts the sunshine and freshness of young womanhood to their home.
Mr. Ross is a republican; was an original abolitionist and under-ground railroader, and
takes profound satisfaction in knowing that he has kindled the fires of everlasting
gratitude in many a negro soul by helping him on his pursuit of freedom. Both he and his
wife have enjoyed an experimental knowledge of religion for forty-six years. They are
members of the United Brethren church.
RETURN TO [GenTrails] [Links] [AHGP] [Vermilion County]
Copyright by GenTrails ©2001, 2002
******************************************************************************************
Information may not be copied or posted anywhere else on the web without
the written consent of the submitter.
******************************************************************************************