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ROSS, CHARLES, son of Abraham and Hannah (CARPENTER) ROSS, was born
in Waterford in September, 1838. His grandfather, Jonathan ROSS, was an
early settler in the town. In 1835 Abraham ROSS bought the fine 200 acre
farm, a half mile below Lower Waterford village, and it has since been
the family home until Charles ROSS moved to St. Johnsbury in 1899. The
old red house which was replaced by the present residence, was formerly
used for town meetings and other assemblies, and the place commands a fine
view of the White Mountains. Charles ROSS completed his education at St.
Johnsbury academy, and soon after made a tour of observation in the West,
and then returned to the paternal farm. Meanwhile he taught several terms
of school.
He enlisted in August, 1862, in Company A, Eleventh regiment, was
chosen corporal, and acted as quartermaster's sergeant. With his regiment
he joined the Vermont brigade at Spotsylvania, in May, 1864, and shared
the fortunes of the regiment until he was captured with fifty-seven of
his company at the Weldon Railroad. They were stripped of their valuables,
sent from Richmond to Lynchburg by rail, and thence to Danville on foot,
seventy-five miles in four days, and arrived at Andersonville July 11,
where they remained until November 15, when the fifteen who had survived
were paroled at Savannah and sent home. Sergeant ROSS rejoined his regiment
in May, 1865, was soon after promoted second lieutenant, and discharged
in June, 1865. Returning to Waterford, he has received repeated elections
to almost every office in the gift of his townsmen, including twelve years
town superintendent of schools, fourteen years town clerk and treasurer,
and justice of peace, and representative in 1878. He is now a justice of
peace in St. Johnsbury. He has been engaged in the settlement of many estates.
Mr. ROSS married, in 1866, Miss Arabella H. CUTLER of Glover, and
five children were born to them, four of whom are now living: Mrs. R. D.
SHERRY of Groton, Vermont; Carl A. ROSS, a lawyer of Chicago; Mrs. Charles
F. WRIGHT of Albany, Vermont, and Mabel E., who resides with her parents.
Mrs. ROSS died in 1884, and in 1889 he married Mrs. Addie J. (PIERCE) MARDEN.
Her daughter by a first marriage is Mrs. A. J. HIGGINS of St. Johnsbury.
Mr. ROSS is a member of Passumpsic lodge, F. & A. M., and of
Chamberlain post, G. A. R., of which he is now adjutant, and was formerly
commander.
Source: Successful Vermonters,
William H. Jeffrey, E. Burke, Vermont, The Historical Publishing Company,
1904, page 88-89.
Prepared
by Tom Dunn, April 2005
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