George Ross (1821 - 1880)

Born 22 Nov 1821 in Elizabethtown, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania

Ancestors

Died 30 Nov 1880 at age 59 in Palmyra, Lebanon, Pennsylvania

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Biography

• Born 22 November 1821, Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania
• Married Martha Jean Robinson in 1851
• Died in Palmyra, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania on 30 November 1880 ^[1][2]

Notes

N1438

Druggist w/Uncle Abraham in Elizabethtown. Later graduated Jefferson Medical College, Phila. Doctor and Druggist, Harrisburg ~ also in Lebanon with JH Redsecker per letterhead in my file.

In September, 1857, JH Redsecker entered into the business w/his uncle Dr. George Ross. Following the death of the latter in 1880, a second partneership was formed to include himself and Geo. R. and Wm. R. Ross, sons of the late Dr. Ross.

From The Lebanon Courier,

December 1, 1880, page 3, column 2:

Death of Dr. George Ross

Lebanon was shocked yesterday morning as the words went round that "Dr. Ross is dead." His illness had been so short that few knew he was unwell. No death in Lebanon could have caused greater surprise or profounder sorrow. He was in the vigor of life and active in enterpise and in good works. He was widely beloved and universally respected. His life was that of a consistant Christian, good citizen, reliable friend and honest man. He was a generous man, in every sense, where generosity was a virtue. While giving strict attention to his private business, he was ever ready to assist in promoting enterprises that might advance the public welfare and his connection with an enterprise gave it confidence in the public mind. Aside from his immediate relatives and friends, he will be greatly missed in the community.

The deceased was born in Elizabethtown, Lancaster county, Pa., November 22d, 1821.

May 9, 1838, he went to Harrisburg to learn the drug business with John Wyeth. He served an apprenticeship of four years, at the expiration of which Mr. Wyeth, unsolicited, gave him a certificate stating that his proficiency and correct business habits would make him a successful business man.

In 1842 he returned to Elizabethtown and entered the drug store of his uncle, Abraham Redsecker, with whom he remained two years, when he purchased the store and began business for himself, continuing the business until 1852. During the interval he read medicine with Dr. Nathaniel Watson, of Donegal, and graduated at the Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia in the Spring of 1849. From 1849 to 1852, in connection with his drug business, he practiced medicine, and soon succeeded in establishing a large and lucrative practice. As a practicioner he was successful. He was married in 1851, and in 1852 purchased the property which he has since occupied, and opened a drug store in Lebanon, which he has successfuly conducted. He began life a poor boy, and by energy, tact, and correct business habits, achieved success. He was a director of the Lebanon Mutual Insurance Company, of Jonestown; of the Mt. Lebanon Cemetery Association; President of the Board of Health, of the Lebanon Gas Company, and the Lebanon Dime Savings Bank.

In 1843 he united with the Church of God, and was the intimate personal friend of Rev. John Winebrenner and his early co-laborers. In 1857 he was elected a Member of the Board of Publication of the Church, and has been sucessively re-elected since. He was also one of the Committee to Publish the Church Hymn Book, and for a number of years has been the general publishing agent of the church. In 1874 he opened in the city of Harrisburg a church book store, which has been very successfuly conducted since.

He was devotedly attached to the church of his choice, giving largely of time and means to forward its interests, his gifts at times being munificent.

At the late meeting of the East Pennsylvania Eldership he was elected a delegate to the General Eldership which will meet in Ohio next May. He was also one of the Board of Missions and of the Board of Education of the East Pennsylvania Eldership. In his death the Church loses largely.

On Sunday evening last he was prostrated with an attack of cramp, and died on Tuesday morning about 7 o'clock, quite unexpectedly. He leaves a widow and two sons.

The funeral will take place on Friday afternoon, at 2 o'clock. Interment on Mt. Lebanon Cemetery.

Sources

• Source: S19 Title: Egle, William Henry. Pennsylvania Genealogies. Lane S. Hart. Harrisburg. 1886. pgs 559 and 560
• Source: S261 Title: Genealogy of the Stukey, Ream, Grove, Clem and Denniston Families Author: Elmer Leonidas Denniston, D.O.
• Source: S313 Title: Biography of Jacob H. Redsecker, Lebanon County Historical Society
• Source: S314 Title: Lebanon County Index to Estates on file with Pennsylvania Archives

1. ↑ Source: #S313
2. ↑ Source: #S314