My Genealogy Hound

Andrew Ross, judge of probate court of Wright County, Mo., was born in Polk County, Mo., April 27, 1841, the son of Henry and Mary E. (Tarbutton) Ross, and grandson of Samuel Ross, who was a native of Kentucky, was a farmer by occupation, and received his final summons in his native State. The maternal grandfather was also a native of Kentucky, also a farmer by occupation, and died in Wright County, Mo. Henry Ross was born in Kentucky February 21, 1816, and left his native State at the age of sixteen, and in 1856 moved to Wright County, Mo., settling in the western part of the county. He remained there until 1868, when he moved to Polk County, Mo., and there he still resides. During the Civil War he was on the Federal side, in the Eighth Missouri State Militia, but only served one year. He was also in the Indian War. His wife, Mary E. (Tarbutton) Ross, was a native of Kentucky, born in 1824, and remained in her native State until sixteen years of age, when she came to Polk County, Mo. Here she married Mr. Ross, and to them were born nine children, eight of whom grew to maturity. Mrs. Ross died April 4, 1860. Judge Ross attained his growth in Wright County, Mo., on a farm, and secured a rather limited education in the common schools. This he greatly improved by individual study, and is considered a well-informed man on any subject. He was married to Miss Marjery Newton, daughter of William and Nancy Newton, and the result of this happy union was the birth of eight children, six now living: John H., Nancy E., Arthur A., Flora A., Mary A. and Naomi J. Those deceased are Jesse A., at the age of two years, and William N., at the age of three months. Judge Ross was in the Federal army, first in Phelps’ regiment and afterward in Company L, First Missouri Cavalry Volunteers. He enlisted in August, 1862, and was discharged June 17, 1865. October 10, 1867, he lost his hand and half way to his elbow, just after the war, in a cane-mill. In 1868 he was elected assessor of Wright County, and re-elected in 1870. He was elected justice of the peace several times, and in 1884 was elected probate judge, and is the present incumbent. He owns 178 acres of land four miles north of Cedar Gap, and is a successful farmer and a prominent citizen. Judge Ross is a member of the Baptist Church, was ordained a minister in the same about six years ago, and has acted as a local preacher ever since. He has had charge of Pleasant View and Mansfield Churches. He is a Republican in politics; is a member and Chaplain of the G. A. R. at Mansfield.