George Mico Ross (1842 - 1931)

Born 1842 in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, United Kingdom

Husband of Emily (Smith) Ross — married 9 Apr 1869 in Clyde, Otago, New Zealand

Descendants

Died 20 Apr 1931 at about age 89 in Surrey Hills, Victoria, Australia

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Biography

George Mico Ross was born in Aberdeen in 1842. He was the son of William Ross and Catherine Young.

The following biography is from the BNZ website. ^[1]

An early European immigrant, George Mico Ross did not have an easy journey to New Zealand. His father died in Melbourne on the way, leaving his mother with six children.

Soon after his arrival in 1862, he joined the newly formed Bank of New Zealand. At 20 years old, the young Mr Ross was to become known as 'The boy bank manager.' From Dunedin, he set out to his first job at Queenstown - a three day ride. His horse was poor and he ended up walking nearly all the way.

Upon reaching his destination he founded a canvas bank. Years later, Mr Ross recalled, "Shortly after arrival, a government proclamation was issued, warning everyone to leave Queenstown because the winter was expected to be so severe. We stayed on. It was terribly cold. I shudder even now to think of living in those canvas tents in the rain, sleet and intense cold."

Next, he opened a bank at Arthur's Point, four miles away. This settlement was almost surrounded by the Shotover River. There was only one ford. During one flood 20 men drowned. The waters swept everything away.

Weather wasn't his only concern, "I always had a policeman with me on my travelling about the goldfields. I would often get home at 1 and 2am. One of my banks burnt down. The gold bags were just singed, and the gold did not melt."

Ross's role in establishing BNZ's presence across the lucrative, although harsh environment of the goldfields played an important part in the bank's early years. Ross remained with BNZ until his eventual retirement in Palmerston in 1903.

In 1869, he married Emily Smith.

MARRIAGE.

Diamond Wedding. ROSS~SMITH — On April 9, 1869, at Clyde N.Z., by the Rev. C. S. Ross (brother of bridegroom), George Mico Ross, of Bank of New Zealand, Queenstown, to Emily Smith, of Emerald Hill, Melbourne, Victoria. Present address: 43 Florence road, Surrey Hills, Victoria. Wakatipu Mail please copy.^[2]

He passed away in 1931. ^[3]

ROSS. —On April 20, 1931, at the residence of his daughter, Mrs E. B. Cameron, 43 Florence road, Surry Hills, Victoria, George Mico Ross (late of Bank of New Zealand), the dearly beloved husband of Emily: in his ninetieth year. (Lake Wakatipu Mail please copy.)^[4]

Many obituaries were published in the newspapers:

MR G. M. ROSS. The many friends of Mr George Mico Ross will regret to hear of his death, which occurred at his home at 43 Florence road, Surrey Hills, Victoria, on April 20 last, in his ninetieth year. Mr Ross was for 46 years in the service of the Bank of New Zealand, and was a prominent banking figure in the early goldfield days of Otago. For 20 years he was manager of the bank at Queenstown, and afterwards was stationed at Waimate, Port Chalmers and Palmerston. For the past 27 years he has been on the pension fund of the bank: the greater part of which time he has spent in Victoria. Mr Ross is survived by his wife, and family of two daughters and six sons.^[5]

The death occurred in his 90th year of Mr. George Mico Ross, a former New Zealand banker, at the home of his daughter, Mrs B. B. Cameron, Surrey Hills, Sydney. Mr. Ross emigrated from Scotland with his parents when a boy, and after several years in Melbourne came lo New Zealand, where he became manager for the Bank of New Zealand. After his retirement in 1903 he and his wife went to Australia. Mr. A. D. Ross, formerly of the Bank of New Zealand and the old Royal Bank of Australasia, Melbourne, who is now retired, is a son.^[6]

Obituary

Another link in the early banking days on the goldfields of Central Otago has been severed by the death of Mr George Mico Ross, late of the Bank of New Zealand The following announcement in the Melbourne “Argus,” under date of 21st April last:— “On the 20th April, 1931, at the residence of his daughter (Mrs E. B. Cameron), 43 Florence Road, Surrey Hills, Victoria, George Mico Ross (late of the Bank of New Zealand), the dearly loved husband of Emily, in his 90th year.” Mr Ross was born in Aberdeen, and was brought to Australia by his widowed mother when he was nine years of age. Later he went to New Zealand, where he succeeded in obtaining a position in the Bank of New Zealand. Seventy years ago he was a well-known figure on the goldfields of Central Otago. His first important post, at the age of 19, was Agent for the Bank of New Zealand at Maori Point, on the Skipper Road, where he was known amongst the diggers as “The Boy Bank Manager.” A fire destroyed his bank at this point, and he was later appointed Manager at Queenstown where he remained for twenty-six years. Thereafter he occupied the position of Manager at Waimate, Port Chalmers, and Palmerston (Otago). Twenty-seven years ago he retired on a pension, for the greater part of which time he resided in Victoria. He was a staunch Freemason and Churchman, and a man greatly respected and loved by all with whom he came into contact, both in business and in private life. Mr Ross was married at Clyde (Otago) in 1867, by his brother, the late Rev. C. Stuart Ross, and he is survived by his widow and and a grown-up family of six sons and two daughters. One of the sons is Mr Norman Ross, Manager of the Bank of New Zealand, Motueka.^[7]

He is buried in Box Hill cemetery. ^[8]

Sources

1. ↑ https://www.bnzheritage.co.nz/archives/story/the-boy-bank-manager
2. ↑ Otago Daily Times, Issue 20683, 4 April 1929, Page 8
3. ↑ VIC BDM Event: deaths Registration number 7248 / 1931 Family name: ROSS Given name(s) George Mico Place of event: SURREY HILLS, Australia Mother's name Catherine Mother's family name at birth YOUNG Father's Name: ROSS William
4. ↑ Otago Daily Times, Issue 21326, 5 May 1931, Page 8
5. ↑ Otago Daily Times, Issue 21326, 5 May 1931, Page 10
6. ↑ Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17460, 6 May 1931, Page 11
7. ↑ Dunstan Times, Issue 3529, 6 July 1931, Page 7
8. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/123938537/george-ross: accessed 16 December 2022), memorial page for George Ross (unknown–Apr 1931), Find a Grave Memorial ID 123938537, citing Box Hill Cemetery, Box Hill, Whitehorse City, Victoria, Australia; Maintained by III (contributor 47426837).