Martha Jean (Robinson) Ross (1830 - 1910)

Born 24 May 1830 in United States

Died 29 Aug 1910 at age 80 in Lebanon, Lebanon, Pennsylvania

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Biography

• Died 30 November 1910 in Lebanon, Pennsylvania^[1]
• Appeared as JH Redsecker's housekeeper on the 1900 census.
• 1909 City Directory for Lebanon, PA , (the year JH Redsecker died)

ROSS DR GEORGE & CO (J H Redsecker, George R Ross), Wholesale and Retail Drugs 810 Cumberland (See card on front cover).

ROSS GEORGE R (Dr George Ross & Co), h 36 S 9th

Martha H.

Ross, Martha J (wid Dr George), h 808 Cumberland,

Will R.

• 1910 Census April 29, 1910: 804 Cumberland Street, Ross, Martha J., head, 80 widowed, had been married for 58 years, mother of 5 children, 2 living at that time, William R, son, age 52, widowed, had been married for 27 years, father of 2 children, 1 living at that time, George R, grandson, age 24, single
• 1911 City Directory for Lebanon, PA, Listings for the following:

Martha Ross does not appear. She must have died in August 1910

ROSS, DR GEORGE & CO (George R Ross), Wholesale and Retail Drugs, 810 Cumberland. (See front cover)

ROSS, GEORGE R (Dr George Ross & Co), h 36 S. 9th.

Martha H.

Ross, George S, confectionery 46 N 9th.

Ross, Will, h 808 Cumberland

• XXVIII. MARTHA JEAN ROBINSON, 6 (William-Crain,5 Andrew,4 Robert,3 Andrew,2 Thomas,1) b. May 24, 1830; m., March 16, 1852, by Rev. John Winebrenner, V. D. M., GEORGE ROSS, b. Nov. 22, 1821; d. Nov. 30, 1880, in Lebanon, Pa. His grandfather, Dr. Joseph Ross, was a native of Montgomery county, Pa., and married Mary Maria McClintock, of Pottstown. After his marriage he removed to Hummelstown, Dauphin county, where, on November 8, 1792, his son, Robert May Ross, was born. Shortly after the birth of Robert May, his mother died, when Dr. Joseph Ross removed to Elizabethtown. His son, Robert, was sent to Montgomery county among his mother's relatives, where he was raised and educated. When grown to manhood he returned to Elizabethtown, and about the year 1815, married Barbara Redsecker, a daughter of George Redsecker. They had six children, of whom George was the third, and the eldest son. His ancestors on his father's side were of Quaker origin, his mother's of Swiss descent, and were known as Pennsylvania Germans. His father engaged in mercantile pursuits, and at an early age, between school-hours, young George assisted him. At the age of ten he was sent to a select school at Reading, from thence to Litiz, where he remained two years. In May, 1838, he commenced to learn the drug business at Lancaster, afterwards continuing in the same occupation at Harrisburg. When quite a small boy, he took great interest in the study of botany, a science which he pursued with great delight throughout life, and this fact becoming known to Col. John Roberts, a botanist of some reputation, a warm friendship sprang up between them, and young Ross was encouraged and assisted in his studies. At the same time he began the study of Latin at a select school in Harrisburg. At the close of his apprenticeship, he was offered special inducements by his uncle, Abraham Redsecker, who had purchased a drug-store in Elizabethtown, which he accepted, and returned to his native place in December, 1842. After several years he purchased the store from his uncle and engaged in business for himself. He shortly after began the study of medicine with Dr. Nathaniel Watson, of Donegal, and graduated from Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, in 1849. He immediately began the practice of his profession in Elizabethtown, continuing at the same time the drug business, and soon acquired a large practice. In the spring of 1852 he purchased a property in Lebanon, to which place he removed in October following. He however quit the practice of medicine and devoted his entire time to the drug trade, and soon succeeded in building up a large and successful business. Dr. Ross took an active interest in the development of Lebanon, and was associated in various enterprises which tended to promote its prosperity. Having, in the year 1842, united with the Church of God, a body of Christians organized under the labors of the Rev. John Winebrenner, he became conspicuous for his disinterested labors and great liberality. In 1857 the General Eldership elected him a member of the Board of Publication, and was reelected at each subsequent meeting; was a member of the committee which published the "Church Hymn Book," and subsequently elected general book agent, in which capacity he issued a number of books and pamphlets, conducting the publishing interests with such judgment and business tact that what was a cumbersome debt when he assumed its management soon became a source of revenue, a large fund having been accumulated during the almost twenty years of his management. In addition to these general church interests, he was, in 1868, elected treasurer of the East Pennsylvania Eldership, in which position he was continued eleven years, when increasing business cares demanding his attention obliged him to resign. They had issue (surname Ross): i. Mary-Jennette, b. December 23, 1852; d. November 19, 1871, at Bethlehem, Pa., where she was attending school. ii. George-Redsecker, b. October 17, 1854. iii. William-Robinson, b. July 8, 1856; m., October 3, 1882, by Rev. Samuel A. Martin, Valeria Rhinehart Smith, b. October 2, 1861, and had issue (surname Ross): 1. William-Robinson, b. November 30, 1884; d. January 9, 1886. iv. Robert-May, b. November 6, 1860; d. October 24, 1863. v. Martha-Elizabeth, b. January 6, 1866; d. February 5, 1876.
• I, Martha J. Ross, of the City of Lebanon, Pennsylvania being of sound and disposing mind, memory and understanding, do make and publish this my last Will and Testament, hereby revoking and making void all former wills by me at any time heretofore made. First. I order and direct my hereinafter named Exectutor to pay all my just debts and funeral expenses within a reasonable time after my decease. Second. All my household goods and furniture I direct to be divided, equally, between my two sons, George R. Ross and William R. Ross. Should my sons not make such a division, then I direct my said Executor to sell said goods and furniture and divide the proceeds of the sale equally between my two sons. Third. I give and bequeath to the "Home for Widows and Single Women of Lebanon and vicinity", also known as the "Widows Home" the sum of Five Hundred (0.00) to be paid to the proper officer or officers, of said corporation within one year after my decease. Fourth, I order and direct that the money, which I now have loaned to the firm of "Dr. George Ross & Co. (said firm consisting of the following named persons, George R. Ross and Jacob H. Redsecker) shall remain in the hands of said firm, as a loan, at five (5) per cent. interest, per annum, and shall be so held by said firm, until such time as it shall be dissolved. While said money is so held by said firm, one half of the net yearly interest thereof shall be paid yearly, on April first, in each year, to my son, George R. Ross, for his own absolute use and disposal and the other one half of said interest shall be paid, in like manner, to my grandson, George S. Ross, for his own absolute use and disposal. Fifth. I hereby set apart and give and bequeath to my grandson, George S. Ross, the sum of Fifteen Hundred Dollars (00.00) (sic) to be used for or by him in completing his education and to enable him to start in business. Should my said grandson have attained the age of twenty-three (23) years at the time of my decease, then I order my executor to pay said sum of mney directly to him. Should he not have attained that age at the time of my decease, then I order my executor to hold said sum of money in trust and expend and apply the same for the use and purposes above stated until such time as he shall have attained said age of twenty-three (23) years, when said sum, or what remains thereof, unexpended, shall be paid to him. Sixth. I also set apart and give and bequeath to my grand-daughter, Martha H. Ross, the sum of Fifteen Hundred Dollars (00.00) to be paid by my executor to her father, George R. Ross, for her use and by him to be held, used and applied for her education, the balance thereof, if any there be, to be paid to her, by her father, upon her attaining the age of twenty-one (21) years. Seventh. All of my other personal estate, not herein other wise disposed of, consisting of stocks etc. shall be divided into two equal shares by my executor, who shall then pay, transfer and deliver one part or share thereof to my son George R. Ross, or his heirs, for his or their own absolute use and disposal and the other part or share thereof to my son, William R. Ross, or his heirs, for his or their own absolute use and disposal. Eighth. I give to my son William R. Ross, the use of my cottage and lot of ground, No. 54 Harvard Avenue, in the Pennsylvania Chautauqua, at Mount Gretna, County and State aforesaid, for and during the term of his natural lifetime and, at and immediately after his death, I give and devise the same to my grandson, George S. Ross and his heirs and assigns forever. Ninth. I give and devise unto my grand-son George S. Ross and his heirs and assigns forever, my two houses and lots of ground, fronting on the North side of Chestnut Street, between Eight and Ninth Streets, in the City of Lebanon, Lebanon County Pennsylvania being Numbers 827 and 829 Chestnut Street in said City. Should my said grandson not have attained the age of twenty-three (23) years at that time of my decease, then I order and direct that said houses and lots of ground shall be and remain under the care and management of my executor until he shall have attained that age. Tenth. I give and bequeath unto my son George R. Ross and to Jacob H. Redsecker, and their heirs and assigns forever, as tenants in common, the cottage and grounds belonging thereto, called "Pogonia" on the Pennsylvania Chautaqua, at Mount Gretna, County and State aforesaid, they having bought and paid for the same and, having given it to me to hold during my lifetime, it is my wish and will that the same shall revert to them after my decease. Lastly. I do hereby constitute and appoint the Lebanon County Trust Company the sole executor of this my last Will and Testament.
• In Testimony whereof, I, Martha J. Ross, the Testatrix, have here-unto set my hand and seal this thirtieth (30) day of March Anno Domini One thousand nine hundred and nine (1909). Martha J. Ross (SEAL)
• Signed, sealed, published and declared by the above-named Martha J. Ross, the Testatrix, as and for her last Will and Testament, in the presence of us, who have hereunto subscribed our names, at her request, as witnesses thereto, in her presence and in the presence of each other, the words "by my son George R. Ross," 8th line 2 page of this will having been interlined and written in before this will was signed and sealed by the said Testatrix. C.S. Donough Chas. M. Zerbe
• I, Martha J. Ross, the above-named testatrix, do make and publish this Codicil to my last Will and Testament bearing date March 30th 1909, in manner following: The provisions of the seventh item of my said will are hereby revoked and annulled and I hereby make the following provision regarding the distribution of my other personal property not otherwise disposed of in my said will: All my other personal estate, not otherwise disposed of in my said will, consisting of Bonds, Notes, Stocks etc., should be divided into two equal shares by my executor, who shall then pay, transfer and deliver one part or share thereof to my son George R. Ross, or his heirs, and the other part or share thereof to my son William R. Ross, or his heirs, provided however that in this particular distribution my son George R. Ross shall be charged with all the interest, at 5 per cent., due on a Bond for 00.00, dated October 11, 1890, held by me against him. Also with the principal and interest at 5 per cent, due on a note, dated April 1st 1890 for 11.00, on which 1.00 has been paid, held by me against him and also with the sum of 33.33 being the excess of the sum of 00.00, mentioned in the above mentioned Bond, over the sum of 66.67, the value of the real estate conveyed to me by my son, William R. Ross, on October 11th 1890, which real estate I have herein Above devised to my grandson, George S. Ross, the son of the Said William R. Ross: The gift and devise in the tenth item of my said Will are Hereby revoked and annulled and I hereby give and devise unto My son George R. Ross and his heirs and assigns, the cottage And grounds belonging thereto, called "Pegonia" in the Pennsylvania Chautauqua, at Mt. Gretna, Lebanon County Pennsylvania. I do hereby ratify and confirm my said will in all other Respects: In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal, this 2d day of November A.D. one thousand, nine hundred and nine (1909) Martha J. Ross (SEAL)
• Lebanon County, SS. On the 9th day of December, A.D. 1910 Before me, U.G. Kreider, Deputy Register of Wills, etc., in and for said County, presonally came C.S. Donough and Charles M. Zerbe the subscribing Witnesses to the foregoing and within Will, who being duly affirmed did say that they were present, heard and saw Martha J. Ross the Testatrix, sgn, seal, publish and declare the foregoing and within Instrument of Writing as and for her last Will and Testament, and at the doing thereof she was of sound disposing mind and memory and understanding to the best of their knowledge and belief. Affirmed and subscribed before me, this 9th day of December, A.D. 1910 (C.S. Donough (U.G. Kreider, Deputy Register (Chas. M. Zerbe
• Lebanon County, SS. On the 9th day of December, A.D. 1910 Before me, U.G. Kreider, Deputy Register of Wills, etc., in and for said County, personally came Charles W. Snyder and Charles M. Zerbe the subscribing Witnesses to the foregoing and within Will, who being duly affirmed did say that they were present, heard and saw Martha J. Ross the Testatrix, sign, seal, publish and declare the foregoing and within Instrument of Writing as and for a codicil to her last Will and Testament, and at the doing thereof she was of sound disposing mind and memory and understanding to the best of their knowledge and belief.
• Affirmed and subscribed before me, this 9th day of December, A.D. 1910 U.G. Kreider Deputy Register, (Charles W. Snyder (Chas. M. Zerbe Wm. R. Bobb, Register per U.G. Kreider, Deputy
• Note: There is no No. 54 Harvard Avenue, in the Pennsylvania Chautauqua, at Mount Gretna referred to above. After a drive to Mt. Gretna, and a slow cruise down Harvard Avenue, it appears the numbering starts at 100. Perhaps the numbering system has changed or ?? who knows what . . .

Sources

• Find A Grave, Mount Lebanon Cemetery, Lebanon, Pennsylvania, Martha Robinson Ross
• Source: Pennsylvania Genealogies, William Henry Egle, Lane S. Hart. Harrisburg, Pennsylvania,1886, pgs 559 and 560
• Source: S13 Title: 1910 Census data
• Source: S19 Title: Egle, William Henry. Pennsylvania Genealogies. Lane S. Hart. Harrisburg. 1886. pgs 559 and 560
• Source: S314 Title: Lebanon County Index to Estates on file with Pennsylvania Archives

See also:

• FamilySearch tree entry https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/KC54-336

1. ↑ Source: #S314