John Tyler Ross, the father of J. Shirley, was born in Patrick County, Va., in 1841, and died at Charleston in 1896. He was reared and educated in Patrick County, where his parents spent their lives. They had a family of six sons and three daughters, all of whom are now living, except John T., and all having families of their own. Some are residents of Virginia and others of New York state. All of the brothers served in the Confederate army, one of them, Capt. D. Lee Ross, being a captain in the 51st Virginia Infantry, under whom his brother, John Tyler served. The subject of this sketch has lately looked up his father's war record in the War Department at Washington, D.C. and received therefrom the following communication:

War Department
The Adjutant General's Office
Washington, July 21, 1910
Respectfully returned to Mr. J.S. Ross, Department of Records, Charleston, West Virginia,
The records show that one John T. Ross was a corporal and a private in Company C., afterward Company D (Captain D. Lee Ross and later Captain Wm. T. Akers), 51st Virginia Infantry, Confederate States Army, and that he enlisted May 1, 1862. On the roll of the company dated October 31, 1863, last on file he was reported, "Absent, detailed as shoemaker since Nov. 10, '62." The Federal records of prisoners of war show that he was arrested in Roanoke County, Virginia, December 19, 1863, and set to Camp Chase, Ohio, and that he was transferred thence to Fort Delaware in March, 1864, at which place he was released June 15, 1865, on taking the oath of allegiance.
(Signed) W.P. Hall, The Adjutant General

Though John T. Ross was never wounded in action, he caught the small pox while in the Federal prison, so may be regarded as having had his share of disagreeable experiences - to a greater extent, perhaps, than many who saw harder field service. After his return from the war he came to Kanawha County and, settling near the present limits of the city of Charleston, engaged in the manufacture of brick. It was through his suggestion that this material was used in street construction in Charleston, this being the first instance also of its utilization in this way in any city. In 1873 a handmade brick pavement was laid on Summer street, and the result was so satisfactory that the city has since used this material extensively ever since. Mr. John T. Ross was a man of acknowledged business ability and of sterling personal qualities. He was a staunch Democrat politically and was affiliated fraternally with the Odd Fellows and other secret orders.

John Tyler Ross was married in Kanawha County, W.Va., to Hannah Creel, who was born in Davisville, that county, in 1848, and who survives him, being now a resident of Charleston. Her father was Bushrod W. Creel, her paternal grandfather being also named Bushrod, while her mother was in maidenhood Alcinda Kinchelo, a member of one of the old Methodist families of what is now West Virginia. She was the third youngest born of her parents' children, the other being John, Bush, George, Henry, Bettie, Lucy, Clara and Ella, all of whom survive and have families of their own. The brothers of Mrs. Ross served in the Confederate army during the Civil war.

J. Shirley Ross, our direct subject, was the only child of his parents. He was educated in the public schools and for some years was connected with his father in the brick industry. He is identified with a number of fraternal organizations, including the Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, the Elks, the Eagles, and others. In politics, like his late father, he is a Democrat. He has given good satisfaction in the office of city recorder, as is evidenced by his election for a third term and is personally esteemed and his family respected throughout this section. He is a member of the Baptist church. Mr. Ross resides with his widowed mother in Charleston.