My Genealogy Hound

GEORGE A. ROSS, farmer; P. O. Heyworth; was born April 19, 1828, in Saratoga Co., N. Y., and remained there until 15 years old; when he was 10 years old, his mother died; his father, some time afterward, married again. In 1843, he moved with his father to Western New York, settling in Middleport, Niagara Co., and attended school and worked for his father at smithing until 20 years old; he then moved to Jeddo, N. Y., and engaged in blacksmithing for himself for fourteen months; thence to Decatur, Ill., and was boss of a company grading on the Illinois Central R. R., for one winter; leaving there, he went to Hudson, Ill., and began working on the Illinois Central R. R., as boss of section hands. Nov. 27, 1853, he was married to Ellen Jackson, who was born in 1838, in Genesee Co., N. Y.; immediately after marriage, they settled at Hudson, Ill., where he continued his work on the railroad. In January, 1854, they moved to what is now Heyworth, Ill., and engaged in railroading until 1857, when he began farming; he rented of James McWhorter for a year, and next rented of Mrs. Joseph Wakefield for five years. When married, they had but $200; they now own a farm of 279 acres; Mr. Ross has worked by the month at $4. In 1862, they settled on their present farm, which was then a raw prairie, but now, by their energy and labor, has been transformed into one of the most beautiful farms in Funk’s Grove Township. He has held offices connected with the schools, and has been Supervisor of Funk’s Grove Township.