The farming and stock-raising interests of Hanover Township acknowledge the subject of this sketch as one of its most worthy representatives. His property lies on section 1, and consists of 272 acres of land, with substantial buildings, a goodly assortment of live-stock, and the machinery necessary for the successful prosecution of his calling. A thorough and skillful agriculturist, and a useful member of his community, lie occupies a good position socially and financially, and is amply worthy of representation in a work of this kind.

Our subject first opened his eyes to the light in New York City, March 16, 184.3, and is the son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Cowen) Ross, who were both natives of Count}- Monaghan, Ireland, and came to America in their early youth. Samuel Ross was in Chicago, 111., at the time of the erection of its first brick house. He and his wife lived for a time after their marriage in New York City, and then removed to Indiana County, Pa., when Robert M. was about one year old. They settled on a farm and the parents still reside there, the father being now seventy-six years old. and the mother aged between seventy-three and seventy-four years. Seven of the eight children born to them are still living, of whom Robert M., our subject, is the eldest. Samuel, the fourth child, died in Iowa when thirty-eight years old. The others were named respectively: Richard, Mary A., George, Jane, David and John. They are residents of Pennsylvania, Iowa, and Illinois.

The father of our subject during his younger years was a prominent man in Indiana County, Pa., holding township offices, and being fully identified with its growth and prosperity. Robert M. was reared at the farm there, and acquired his education in the common schools. During the progress of the Civil War he enlisted as a Union soldier in July, 1862, in Company D, 135th Pennsylvania Infantry, which was assigned to the Army of the Potomac, and for six months was on detached dut}r in Washington. Subsequently he fought at the battle of Chancel iorsville, and met the rebels in numerous minor engagements and skirmishes. At the expiration of his nine-months term of enlistment he veteranized in the six-months service in Company A, 2d liatallion, composed of independent scouts, and was engaged in this line of duty principally in West Virginia and Maryland, lie met with many hairbreadth escapes, and at the end of six months enlisted again, in the 13th Pennsylvania Cavalry for a year, or during the war.

He was at first under the command of Gen. Stoneman, and was now assigned to duty mostly in North Carolina, going on foraging expeditions and performing the general service of cavalry men. Later he was under Gen. Kilpatrick, one of the greatest eavalary commanders of the army, and was present at the surrender of the rebel General Johnston, near Durham Station. While engaged in battle in front of Raleigh he received a slight wound, but otherwise than this escaped comparatively unharmed. After the surrender of Gen. Lee he continued on duty as one of the guard at Fayetteville, receiving his discharge in October, 1865.

Our subject upon leaving the service returned to his old haunts in Indiana County, Pa., assisting his father on the farm, and preparing to establish a home of his own. On the 1st of May, 1887, he was united in marriage with Miss Jennie Gray, who was born in Rice Township, this county, Oct. 25, 1850. Her parents were James and Maria (Long) Gray, the former of whom died in August, 1880. The mother is still living, and makes her home with our subject; she is quite well-advanced in years. Her parents were natives of County Monaghan. Ireland, and emigrated to America some time in the thirties, settling soon afterward in Rice Township, this county, where the father died, in 1880. Their family consisted of ten children, five of whom are living. John is a resident of Logansport, Ind., Joseph is in San Diego. Cal.: Mary is the wife of Charles Moore, of Montgomery County, Iowa; David is a resident of Hanover, this county; Mrs. Ross is the youngest living. Her father was one of the most valued residents of Rice Township, assisting in its growth and development, and serving as Justice of the Peace, besides holding other offices. Both he and his excellent wife were members of the United Presbyterian Church, in which Mr. Gray was an Elder, and labored actively for its prosperity.

Nine children in due time came to the home of Mr. and Mrs. Ross: Charles I., Etta and Gussie are attending school at Fulton, 111.; Harry, Edmund, Bessie, Elsie, John, and Clyde are at home with their parents. Mr. and Mrs. Ross belong to the United Presbyterian Church; and our subject, politically, is a decided Republican, and a member of Hanover Post, G. A. R. He is serving his second year as Road Commissioner. In the accumulation of his property, and the building up of a good homestead, he has been ablv assisted by his faithful and devoted wife, who is fully worthy to be numbered among the pioneer women of this county.

They have a large and extensive acquaintance in this region, and number their friends by the score. The family residence is a fine brick structure, handsomely finished and furnished, and both within and without" indicates the cultivated tastes of its inmates.

Transcribed by Christine Walters - Portrait and Biographical Album of Jo Daviess and Carroll Counties, Illinois (1889)