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Jasper County, Iowa
Historical and Genealogical Data Exchange
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Frank
B. Ross Frank
B. Ross, the subject of this sketch, is a splendid example of what an
enterprising young man of sincere purpose can accomplish.
But twenty-five years of age, Mr. Ross is the owner and proprietor of one
of the best stores in the town of Reasnor and enjoys the respect and good will
of a wide circle of friends and acquaintances in the County.
Keen, alert and energetic, he is honest to the tore and. believes in
doing by his fellow man as he would be done by. Mr.
Ross was born May 12, 1884, in Jasper County, Iowa, and is the son of Charles F.
and Almeda L. (Smith) Ross, both of whom were natives of Iowa, the mother being
born in Jasper County. It was in 1864 that the father of the subject came to Jasper County and as a mere boy engaged in farm work. In 1878 he purchased forty acres, to which by thrift and untiring industry he kept adding until at one time he owned one hundred and seventy-eight acres. While he followed general farming only, he raised some stock also. He still owns and resides upon the first land he ever bought and still is actively engaged in farming. Mr. Ross's father is well known and is a solid, stable man of affairs and a good citizen. While never a politician or a man who has sought office, he is a man who takes a keen and intelligent interest in the advancement and upbuilding of his County and state. At different times for over twenty years he has been director and treasurer of the independent district schools. Both he and his wife are consistent members of the Evangelical Church. The
subject of this review is one of twelve children, of whom seven are now living:
Elsie, who was born in 1877) died in childhood; William A., born July 9, 1879,
is a prosperous farmer residing near Newton, Iowa; Jessie died in infancy;
Bertha also died in infancy; next in order of birth is the subject of this
sketch; Elmer, born July 9, 1886, died when quite young; Zell S., born June 3,
1888, is a well-to-do farmer residing in Jasper County; Charles Owen, born
October 11, 1890, died at the age of ten years; Ada Ruth, born December 19,
1892, resides at home; Harry S., born March 10, 1895, is at home; Edith Fern,
born January 30, 1899, is at home; Robert L., born March 16, 1901, is at home. Mr.
Ross began working for himself in the spring of 1905, following the pursuit of
farming. At this business he continued steadily in Jasper County until
March, 1909, when he removed to northern Minnesota upon a farm of two hundred
and twenty acres he had purchased there, but later he returned to Reasnor, when
he purchased, June 1, 1910, the general store and hardware business of J. J.
McCartney, which he has conducted successfully ever since, selling pumps and
windmills in connection with the other general items of hardware. On
February 28, 1905, Mr. Ross was united in marriage with Victoria A. Tool, the
daughter of H. F. L. and Louan (Woody) Tool, both of whom were natives of Iowa,
and both of whom are living at this writing, on farms in Minnesota. Mrs.
Ross was born January 20, 1885, in Jasper County and departed this life May 8,
1909. No purer or more gentle spirit ever passed from earth into
the great unfathomable beyond than she and many were the hearts left desolate by
her going. Ever delighting in doing
acts of kindness and living for others, she was a woman whose life was an
example of that which the Savior of men exemplified while upon earth.
Always an earnest worker in the Methodist Church, she put her faith and
her devotion into deeds and was a guiding star and spiritual inspiration to many
who were fortunate enough to know her. Besides
her bereaved husband, she left behind her a sweet little daughter, Mable Louise,
who was born December 26, 1908. Every
effort was made by Mr. Ross to save her fair young life, the best nurses and
physicians obtainable were
procured and she was taken to the city hospital at Aiken, Minnesota, but all
without avail, for death came four days after she entered the hospital.
It was after the untimely death of his beloved wife that Mr. Ross
returned to Reasnor and engaged -in his present business. The
brothers and sisters of Mrs. Ross are: Julia C., wife of F. E. Fairchild, a
farmer residing in northern Minnesota; Nora, wife of Zell S. Ross, a brother of
the subject; William A.; Ella and Irena, live at home in Minnesota.
Lena died when but two and one-half years old. Mr. Ross is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, having at one time been trustee and also superintendent of the Sunday school of the Church at Belleview. He is an uncompromising foe of liquor and the liquor traffic, and is a Prohibitionist in politics. Affable and genial, he is one of the popular men of the younger generation of the County. The Past and Present of Jasper County, Gen. James B. Weaver, Editor-In-Chief, 1912 B.F. Bowen Co., Indianapolis, IN, p. 1349. |
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