My Genealogy Hound

W. H. ROSS.
The farming interests of Spaulding township find a worthy and well known representative in W. H. Ross, who was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, September 1, 1836. His parents, H. L. and Hannah (Rider) Ross, were also natives of the same county. The father, who was born in 1800, died in 1876 in the same house in which he had first opened his eyes to the light of day. His wife survived him several years and passed away in 1884. In their family were the following children: John, whose home is now in Jefferson county, Iowa; Isaac, deceased; Mary, the wife of Moses A. Fern, of this state; Jay N., who is living in Fayette county, Pennsylvania; W. H., of this review; Diana, the wife of James Blackford, of Pennsylvania; and Malby, deceased.

W. H. Ross was educated in the public schools and was trained to the work of the home farm. In 1861 he offered his services to the country in defense of the Union, enlisting in the Civil war as a member of Battery K, Second Regiment of Pennsylvania Artillery. After serving as a private for two years he acted as cook for two weeks but at the end of that time returned to his company. He was then appointed artillery clerk and later successively became quartermaster, wagonmaster, foragemaster and veterinary surgeon, continuing with the army for two years. He was also appointed first lieutenant, after which the regiment started for the wilderness and participated in the battle of Petersburg, losing a large number of its men in that engagement. Mr. Ross served on Burnside’s staff at that time and was mustered out in 1864, having faithfully served his country for three years.

When he left the army he returned home to Pennsylvania, and in 1865 came west to Iowa, remaining, however, for but a short time, after which he again returned to Pennsylvania and became connected with the oil business. He was identified therewith for two years, after which he came once more to this state, settling in Jefferson county, where he purchased a farm, upon which he made his home for five years. He then sold that property and bought a farm in Appanoose county, Iowa, upon which he made his home for four years. In 1876 he arrived in Union county and purchased land on Section 2, Spaulding township, where he has since made his home and in connection with farming he works at the carpenter’s trade and is also a painter and grainer. He lives a life of industry and activity and is a man of much mechanical skill and ingenuity. He has improved his farm by the erection of all necessary buildings, has planted all of the trees that are upon the place and now has an attractive home, pleasantly located within a half mile of the village of Spaulding. Everything about the farm indicates his careful supervision and progressive methods, for all of the buildings are kept in a good state of repair and the fields are well tilled.

In 1869 Mr. Ross was united in marriage to Miss E. J. Bonner, who was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, in 1844, and was one of a family of eight children. Two children have been born unto Mr. and Mrs. Ross, Ferren M. and Nema H., the latter now teaching school in Nebraska, and the former at home. The parents attend the Presbyterian church and Mr. Ross has been a member of the Odd Fellows society since 1861, having united with the order in Pennsylvania. Politically he is a republican and for twelve years has served as school director but otherwise has held no public office, preferring to concentrate his time and energies upon his pursuits. He is one of the honored veterans of the Civil war and in all matters of citizenship is as loyal and progressive as when he wore the blue uniform and followed the starry banner of the nation upon the battlefields of the south.