JAMES ROSS, grocer, on the corner of Tenth street and Commercial avenue, is a native of Ireland, County of Cork. His parents, James Ross and Margaret McCarty, were both natives of Ireland, where they were reared and married, and where they died, leaving the subject, a lad of tender age. When he was about fifteen years old he came, unaccompanied by any relatives, to the United States and located in the city of "Brotherly Love," where he managed to avail himself of the privilege of going to school for a brief period. He soon obtained regular employment in a hat manufactory, and remained thus employed in Philadelphia, until 1858, when he came to Cairo, Ill., where for about three years he was in the employ of W. Graham. He was thus enabled to provide himself with a horse and dray, which, during the war, produced a very handsome income. He also established a retail coal business, which he conducted with profit until 1875. when he embarked in mercantile business, and that year established his grocery store, where he is now located. He was married in Cairo, Ill., on the 24th of November, 1863, to Miss Ellen Farrell, who was born in Ireland in 1844. Their marriage has been blest with a family of ten children, viz.: James Ross, born April 19, 1865; John Ross, August 17, 1866; William Ross, April 12, 1868, died on the 14th August, of same year; Margaret Ross, born April 29,1869; George Ross, January 16, 1871; Anna Ross, November 27, 1874 , Mary E. Ross, September 2, 1876; Katie Ross, October 15, 1878, and Henriettie and Antenettie Ross, November 2, 1880. Henriettie died May 18, 1881, and Antenettie, died June 21, 1881. The family are members of the Catholic Church of Cairo. Mr. Ross owns four lots including the residence houses on Walnut street.
Extracted 31 Mar 2017 by Norma Hass from 1883 History of Alexander, Union, and Pulaski Counties, Illinois, Part V, page 41.
| Cape Girardeau MO |
Union | |
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Pulaski | |
| Scott MO | Mississippi MO | Ballard KY |
