Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Page 505  

ANDREW F. ROSS, Mayor of Clearwater, where he is engaged in general merchandising, has built up a good patronage and enjoys the friendship and esteem of the people of his community, was born in Stark County, Ohio, Dec. 8, 1856. His parents, Hon. William and Jessie (Macredie) Ross, are of Scottish birth and ancestry, and crossed the Atlantic about 1853. They located in Will County, Ill., and from there crossed the Mississippi into Kansas in 1870, since which time they have been residents of this county.

            William Ross upon coming to this county preempted a quarter of sections 27 and 28 in what is now Ninnescah Township, upon which he settled before there were any improvements, and from this uncultivated tract of land built up a good farm which he occupied until the spring of 1884. He then retired from active labor and removed to the village of Clearwater, where he now lives. A man of much force of character and more than ordinary intelligence, he advanced with the growing country and became one of its most prominent men. After filling various local positions of trust he was elected to the Lower House of the State Legislature, serving his term with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. As one of the organizers of Ninnescah Township he has always taken a lively interest in its prosperity, and politically, is a firm adherent of the Greenback party.

            The subject of this sketch was reared to manhood on the farm and began life for himself as a clerk in the general mercantile business of J. M. Tracy, in Clearwater, with whom he remained for a period of five years. He made the most of his opportunities, and in 1884 embarked in the grocery business for himself, following this line of trade exclusively for three years. He then added a general stock of merchandise, comprising all the articles required in the village or country household and the smaller farm implements. His stock averages in value about $3,000, and he does a business of from $12,000 to $15,000 annually.

            The storeroom of Mr. Ross occupies an area of 50x80 feet, and he gives employment to two clerks the year around. He owns a good home in the village, besides other property, and forty acres of land in Ninnescah Township. Of this he at present is serving as Clerk and holds the same office in his school district. In 1885 he was elected a member of the Village Council, and in the fall of 1887 elected Mayor of Clearwater, and in his position as head of village affairs is exercising the same good judgment which has been conspicuous in all his relations in life. In politics he votes the straight Republican ticket.

            The marriage of Andrew F. Ross and Miss Demma Ferrison was celebrated at the home of the bride in Wichita on the 20th of November, 1882. Mrs. Ross was born in Pawnee County, Neb., April 2, 1860, and is the daughter of Henry and Sophia Ferrison, who are natives of Pennsylvania and came to Kansas some years ago. They are now residents of Wichita. This union resulted in the birth of two children: Earl A., born Dec. 2, 1883, and Gail, Oct. 7, 1885. Mrs. Ross, a lady held in high esteem, is a member in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

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