HARRY CLAY ROSS (1848-1926)
Born Henry Clay Ross, he never liked the name "Henry" and always used "Harry"; the latter is the name on his marriage certificate and gravestone. Harry Clay Ross was born and raised in Lewistown, Pennsylvania on February 1, 1848. He was the second of six children born to William Ross (1806-1860) and Margaret Lawyer Ross (1824-1902). Harry went to public school and when very young, he became a clerk in a general store. In 1864 (at age 16), he enlisted in Company H, 195th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, and re-enlisted in Company M, 7th Regiment, Pennsylvania Cavalry, in which he served until the close of the Civil War. He was discharged in Nashville, Tennessee, in June 1865. For several years he was engaged as a clerk at Lewistown, and later he learned the tailoring business, at which he worked in Harrisburg from 1874 to 1878 (ages 26 to 30), after which he engaged in business for himself (working as a "merchant tailor"). His tailor shop was very close to the State Capitol and became a favorite gathering place for Pennsylvania's politicians, who carried on many discussions there and in which Harry Ross played a part.
He married, first, at age 26, Elizabeth M. Thrush, also of Lewistown, February 4, 1874 in Lewistown. They had one son, John Charles, on April 3, 1875, and Elizabeth Thrush died 5 days after the birth. He then married (at age 32) Elizabeth Irene Herr (my great-grandmother), of Harrisburg, on February 12, 1880 in Harrisburg. They had 3 children, David (who died as a teenager of diphtheria), J. Spencer, and Elizabeth (my grandmother), the latter of whom was born when Harry was 49. It is reported by Harry Ross's granddaughter, Emily Carl Davis, that he was none too pleased to be a father again at age 49, but that Elizabeth became the apple of his eye and the delight of his later years, and he doted on her. He was called "Poppa" by his children and grandchildren.
Harry Ross was a member of Perseverance Lodge, No. 21, F. & A.M., Perseverance Chapter No. 21, Pilgrim Commandery, No. 11, Harrisburg Consistory and Scottish Rite, and was also a member of Lewistown Lodge, No. 97, I.O.O.F., and Lulu Temple, of Philadelphia. In his political views, he was a "staunch Republican". The family attended the Methodist Episcopal Church.
[Much of the above information comes from the Biographical Encyclopedia of Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, containing sketches of Prominent and Early Citizens, and many of the Early Scotch-Irish and German Settlers, published 1896, J.M. Runk & Co., Chambersburg, Pennsylvania.]
The following is a memorial booklet written about him by the Board of Directors of the Commonwealth Trust Company, found among the papers of his son, Spencer Ross (and currently, i.e., in 1997, in the possession of his granddaughter, Missy Carl Hamilton):
"Harry C. Ross was born February 1st, 1848, at Lewistown, Mifflin County, Pennsylvania, and died August 19, 1926, at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. His father, Captain William Ross, was of Scotch-Irish descent, and his mother, Margaret M. Ross, was of German extraction. He spent his early days in the town of Lewistown and received his education in the schools of that borough.
"When the Confederates fired upon Fort Sumter and thus began the Civil War, Mr. Ross was but a boy in his teens. Shortly after the war started he enlisted and served his country as a volunteer. The patriotic feeling which led him to enlist in defense of his country permeated his whole life. He was always a warm supporter of the Government of his country and a staunch advocate of everything that tended to promote its stability and increase its prestige.
"As a boy he clerked for about two years in a general store in Lewistown. After he returned from the war he learned the trade of a tailor, entering the shop of William Linn, of Lewistown. He worked at his trade in Lewistown for about four or five years after serving his apprenticeship, and then moved to Harrisburg in 1874.
"He began business as a tailor in this city on Briggs Street, the second door below Capitol Street, where he continued for about two and one-half or three years. He then moved to 21 North Third Street, where he remained until 1920, a period of forty years, when he sold that property and moved to the opposite side of Third Street.
"He was married twice. His first wife, Elizabeth Thrush, was the daughter of a Methodist minister. His second wife, Elizabeth Herr, of Harrisburg, survives him. Of his two marriages, there were four children -- Charles, David, who died at about the age of sixteen years, Spencer and Elizabeth, now Mrs. Carl, of Germantown, Philadelphia.
"He was a life-long Methodist and took an active part in church affairs. He joined Grace Methodist Episcopal Church of this city the year he came to Harrisburg and continued to be a member until the day of his death, thus rounding out a period of fifty-two years of membership. He took a live interest in numerous offices, and for many years before his death was a Trustee. At the time of his death he was President of the Board of Trustees. He gave freely of his income to the support of the church, his liberality moving him to contribute to any special funds, over and above his regular subscription. He was regular in his attendance and believed that the Church was a greater factor in the betterment of morals and civic life of any community than schools or any other institution.
"He was a pioneer in this community in the business of generating electricity for light and power, being elected a Director in 1888 of the Harrisburg Electric Light Company. In 1893 he was elected Vice-President of the then called Harrisburg Electric Company, serving in this capacity through the several corporate changes of that company until the time of his death.
"His home life was pure and sweet. His children testify that they never knew him to utter a harsh word or speak unkindly, although he was firm when firmness was required.
"He was interested in the development of the City of Harrisburg and in civic improvements. When a question arose requiring a stand on one side or the other, Harry Ross could always be counted upon to take his stand on the right side. He was a strong believer in the principles of the Republican Party, although not an active politician. He never sought office, being content to do his part in an unofficial capacity.
"His ability to make friends and hold them was unusual. Few people in this community were so much beloved by so many people as was he. He gathered about him in his tailor shop many persons who were drawn to him by bonds of affection. They went there by reason of the fact that they loved him and were happy in his presence. There was no formal club, no membership, but simply going to his office by reason of the magnetism he had for them. All who knew him loved him and none had an unkind word for him. He was not combative in his temperament, but sweet, kindly and lovable.
"He was made a Director in the Commonwealth Trust Company on March 8, 1906, and served in that capacity for a period of about twenty and one-half years. He was faithful in his attendance, never missing a meeting unless he was sick or out of the city. He was deeply interested in the success and prosperity of this institution. While not antagonistic, yet he never hesitated to express his views, on any questions that came before the Board. He was a man of sound judgment in financial matters and gave to his duties as a Director of this institution the benefit of his ripe experience in his personal affairs. He was devoted to this institution, and after the sprightliness had gone from his step and the color from his face he continued his attendance at our weekly meetings, although many of us as we watched his faltering step felt that each meeting might be his last. His last attendance was on August 5th, and his colorless face and weakened movements clearly indicated he was nearing the end. He was unable to attend the meeting of August 12th, and on the meeting day of August 19th passed into the Great Beyond.
"He will always be remembered as a gentleman of the old school, a person of the highest qualities of mind, a firm patriot, a loving father and husband, and a Christian gentleman. This institution has suffered a great loss in his death.
"Resolved,
"That his minute be adopted by this Board of Directors, and that a copy of the same be presented to his family.
Signed (in ink): Wm. S. Snyder, Morris J. Hall, A.B. Stassen"
He married, first, at age 26, Elizabeth M. Thrush, also of Lewistown, February 4, 1874 in Lewistown. They had one son, John Charles, on April 3, 1875, and Elizabeth Thrush died 5 days after the birth. He then married (at age 32) Elizabeth Irene Herr (my great-grandmother), of Harrisburg, on February 12, 1880 in Harrisburg. They had 3 children, David (who died as a teenager of diphtheria), J. Spencer, and Elizabeth (my grandmother), the latter of whom was born when Harry was 49. It is reported by Harry Ross's granddaughter, Emily Carl Davis, that he was none too pleased to be a father again at age 49, but that Elizabeth became the apple of his eye and the delight of his later years, and he doted on her. He was called "Poppa" by his children and grandchildren.
Harry Ross was a member of Perseverance Lodge, No. 21, F. & A.M., Perseverance Chapter No. 21, Pilgrim Commandery, No. 11, Harrisburg Consistory and Scottish Rite, and was also a member of Lewistown Lodge, No. 97, I.O.O.F., and Lulu Temple, of Philadelphia. In his political views, he was a "staunch Republican". The family attended the Methodist Episcopal Church.
[Much of the above information comes from the Biographical Encyclopedia of Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, containing sketches of Prominent and Early Citizens, and many of the Early Scotch-Irish and German Settlers, published 1896, J.M. Runk & Co., Chambersburg, Pennsylvania.]
The following is a memorial booklet written about him by the Board of Directors of the Commonwealth Trust Company, found among the papers of his son, Spencer Ross (and currently, i.e., in 1997, in the possession of his granddaughter, Missy Carl Hamilton):
"Harry C. Ross was born February 1st, 1848, at Lewistown, Mifflin County, Pennsylvania, and died August 19, 1926, at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. His father, Captain William Ross, was of Scotch-Irish descent, and his mother, Margaret M. Ross, was of German extraction. He spent his early days in the town of Lewistown and received his education in the schools of that borough.
"When the Confederates fired upon Fort Sumter and thus began the Civil War, Mr. Ross was but a boy in his teens. Shortly after the war started he enlisted and served his country as a volunteer. The patriotic feeling which led him to enlist in defense of his country permeated his whole life. He was always a warm supporter of the Government of his country and a staunch advocate of everything that tended to promote its stability and increase its prestige.
"As a boy he clerked for about two years in a general store in Lewistown. After he returned from the war he learned the trade of a tailor, entering the shop of William Linn, of Lewistown. He worked at his trade in Lewistown for about four or five years after serving his apprenticeship, and then moved to Harrisburg in 1874.
"He began business as a tailor in this city on Briggs Street, the second door below Capitol Street, where he continued for about two and one-half or three years. He then moved to 21 North Third Street, where he remained until 1920, a period of forty years, when he sold that property and moved to the opposite side of Third Street.
"He was married twice. His first wife, Elizabeth Thrush, was the daughter of a Methodist minister. His second wife, Elizabeth Herr, of Harrisburg, survives him. Of his two marriages, there were four children -- Charles, David, who died at about the age of sixteen years, Spencer and Elizabeth, now Mrs. Carl, of Germantown, Philadelphia.
"He was a life-long Methodist and took an active part in church affairs. He joined Grace Methodist Episcopal Church of this city the year he came to Harrisburg and continued to be a member until the day of his death, thus rounding out a period of fifty-two years of membership. He took a live interest in numerous offices, and for many years before his death was a Trustee. At the time of his death he was President of the Board of Trustees. He gave freely of his income to the support of the church, his liberality moving him to contribute to any special funds, over and above his regular subscription. He was regular in his attendance and believed that the Church was a greater factor in the betterment of morals and civic life of any community than schools or any other institution.
"He was a pioneer in this community in the business of generating electricity for light and power, being elected a Director in 1888 of the Harrisburg Electric Light Company. In 1893 he was elected Vice-President of the then called Harrisburg Electric Company, serving in this capacity through the several corporate changes of that company until the time of his death.
"His home life was pure and sweet. His children testify that they never knew him to utter a harsh word or speak unkindly, although he was firm when firmness was required.
"He was interested in the development of the City of Harrisburg and in civic improvements. When a question arose requiring a stand on one side or the other, Harry Ross could always be counted upon to take his stand on the right side. He was a strong believer in the principles of the Republican Party, although not an active politician. He never sought office, being content to do his part in an unofficial capacity.
"His ability to make friends and hold them was unusual. Few people in this community were so much beloved by so many people as was he. He gathered about him in his tailor shop many persons who were drawn to him by bonds of affection. They went there by reason of the fact that they loved him and were happy in his presence. There was no formal club, no membership, but simply going to his office by reason of the magnetism he had for them. All who knew him loved him and none had an unkind word for him. He was not combative in his temperament, but sweet, kindly and lovable.
"He was made a Director in the Commonwealth Trust Company on March 8, 1906, and served in that capacity for a period of about twenty and one-half years. He was faithful in his attendance, never missing a meeting unless he was sick or out of the city. He was deeply interested in the success and prosperity of this institution. While not antagonistic, yet he never hesitated to express his views, on any questions that came before the Board. He was a man of sound judgment in financial matters and gave to his duties as a Director of this institution the benefit of his ripe experience in his personal affairs. He was devoted to this institution, and after the sprightliness had gone from his step and the color from his face he continued his attendance at our weekly meetings, although many of us as we watched his faltering step felt that each meeting might be his last. His last attendance was on August 5th, and his colorless face and weakened movements clearly indicated he was nearing the end. He was unable to attend the meeting of August 12th, and on the meeting day of August 19th passed into the Great Beyond.
"He will always be remembered as a gentleman of the old school, a person of the highest qualities of mind, a firm patriot, a loving father and husband, and a Christian gentleman. This institution has suffered a great loss in his death.
"Resolved,
"That his minute be adopted by this Board of Directors, and that a copy of the same be presented to his family.
Signed (in ink): Wm. S. Snyder, Morris J. Hall, A.B. Stassen"