Portrait and biographical record of Christian County, Illinois : containing biographical sketches of prominent and   representative citizens, together with biographies of all the Governors of the state, and of the Presidents of the United States.  Chicago, Ill. : Lake City Pub. Co., 1893.  Transcribed and annotated by Judy Rosella Edwards, 2007.

GEORGE ROSS, a native of Scotland, was born in Sterlingborough [ed., probably Stirling Council, Scotland] on the 27th of May, 1865. Having learned the tailoring business thoroughly in all its branches, and having heard of the fine facilities for enterprising men to acquire wealth, or at least a competency, in the New World, he embarked for America in the fall of 1887, being then only twenty-two years of age yet his proficiency will be readily acknowledged, when it is known that he learned his trade in Langholm, Dumfriesshire, Scotland. He first located at the capital of Illinois, but in March, 1891, came to Christian County. Having previously formed the acquaintance of his life partner in Macon County, on Christmas Eve of 1889, in Decatur, Mr. Ross was united in marriage with Miss Ada F. Boaz, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. E. A. Boaz. The father was long known as Lieut. Boaz, having been promoted from the ranks for his valiant service in the Civil War. He displayed more than ordinary merit, and hence received from the Governor of Missouri the position of Officer of the Guard in the Jefferson City Penitentiary. From the Governor of Illinois, he received a like appointment for the Joliet Penitentiary, which position he held when he died, having acted in the same capacity for a period of eighteen years in the two States. He was buried at Decatur, Ill., in 1889, with military honors. His wife bore the maiden name of Nancy E. Murphy, and she, with Ada, the only child, born January 1, 1868, are the only survivors of the family. They mourn the loss of a kind and devoted husband and loving father, and the community remembers him with gratefulness as a brave soldier and valiant officer, both in war and peace. Our subject's parents were John and Catherine (Cuthbert) Ross, both natives of Scotland. He is the fourth in order of birth in a family of ten children. John was born in 1861; William, in 1863; James, in 1864; Maggie, in 1867; Annie, in 1868; David, in 1870; Jessie Jane, in 1873; Nellie, in 1875; and Robert in 1879. They all reside in the Fatherland with the exception of the eldest son, eldest daughter and our subject. On embarking for the United States, George Ross took passage in the vessel "Lake Nepigon," a Canadian liner [ed., owned at that time by the Beaver Line]. After they had been on the ocean for about fourteen days, a dense fog settled down on the vessel, and they were unable to sight anything for six days. When the fog lifted they found that they were near the coast of Newfoundland. Mr. Ross is one of those genial gentlemen whom America may be proud to receive, and he has chosen for his companion a lady of rare merit and goodness. The children that have come to share their home are Roxie, born October 1, 1890; Edward, February 10, 1892; and Robert, May 6, 1893. This is one of the well-respected families of Taylorville, and Mr. Ross may well be proud of the enviable position he has already achieved among his fellow-citizens. He ranks first as a practical tailor, and the variety and extent of the patterns which he is enabled to give the customer are gaining for him a liberal patronage, and it is a pleasure to number him with the enterprising business men of this community who are entitled to representation in this record.

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