History of Lincoln, Oneida and Vilas Counties

"History of Lincoln, Oneida, and Vilas Counties Wisconsin"

Compiled by George O.Jones, Norman S. McVean and Others. Printed in 1924 by H.C.Cooper. Jr. & Co., Minneapoli-Winona MN. ill. 787 pages. The first two hundred pages are history of the three counties, the remainder of the book is biographies.

Biography

Ross, John, who after a successful career in several different branches of industry, has established himself on a solid foundation as a business man and is numbered among the prominent and respected citizens of Rhinelander, was born in Ontario, Canada, May 22, 1861. His parents, Alexander and Catherine (JACKSON) ROSS, were also natives of that country, the father being a farmer who also operated a threshing-machine, doing work for others. In course of time he moved with his wife to Huron County, Mich., where he continued in farming until his death in 1895. His wife did not long survive him, passing away in 1897. John ROSS, who was educated in Canada, remained at home dependent on his parents until 14 years old. He then began to be self -supporting, entering the ranks of industry as a pilot boy in a brick yard, an occupation which he followed for two seasons during the summers, while during the winters he attended school and did chores. He then began to learn the trade of blacksmith and horseshoer at Riverdale, Canada, which he finished in the carriage department of a firm at Port Elgin, remaining a year in the latter place. After that he worked as a journeyman blacksmith in various cities of Canada and the United States, and in 1893 he found himself in Rhinelander, Wis. Here he rented a shop on King Street and established himself in business, finding plenty to do. At the end of three years, or in 1906, having prospered, he tore down the frame building he occupied and erected the substantial brick structure that now stands on the site. After following his trade there until 1909, Mr. ROSS leased his shop to another man and went to Wausau, where he bought the farm of his father-in-law, spending five subsequent years in its operation. He then sold out to the Alexander & Stewart Lumber Co., and returning to Rhinelander, took up his trade again at the old stand. He continued to follow it until 1919, in which year he gave up the business, leasing his shop to C.M. WIRTH, who made it into a garage, while Mr. ROSS bought a 200-acre farm in the town of Pelican, which he still conducts. On Dec. 7, 1922, he sold the garage building (his old shop) to Walter D. BROWN and bought the J. J. NICK residence at 125 S. Oneida Street which he now occupies. In addition to carrying on his farm he makes a specialty of buying and selling land and general real estate, in which line of enterprise he has proved himself both capable and reliable. Mr. ROSS is widely known, and, his record being an honorable one, he stands well in the estimation of his fellow citizens. In 1921 he was candidate for sheriff on the Democratic ticket, and though he failed of election, the result of the balloting showed that he had many friends throughout the county. He belongs to the local lodges of Odd Fellows and Eagles and attends the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Ross was married Sept. 5, 1904, to Amelia HARDELL, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Herman HARDELL. He and his wife have been the parents of six children: Ethel J., Cora E., Victoria L., John L., David A. and Madeline. John L. and Madeline are both deceased, each having died at the age of two and a half years. Ethel J., who after attending the Rhinelander schools, was graduated from the Oshkosh Normal School, and of his sister, is the wife of Victor JOHNSON, now city attorney of Hibbing, Minn. Victoria L. was graduated from the Rhinelander High School, was employed for some time as a bookkeeper and is now Mrs. BRYAN of Rhinelander. David A. is residing with his parents.

Transcribed by Susan Swanson, from pages 248 (with picture); History of Lincoln, Oneida and Vilas Counties Wisconsin; Compiled by George O. Jones, Norman S. McVean and Others; 1924, H. C. Cooper, Jr. & Co.

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