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Col William Ross

Birth	:	25 Jul 1811 Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts, USA
Death	:	22 Feb 1879 Providence, Providence County, Rhode Island, USA
Burial	:	Saint Vincent Cemetery, Osseo, Hennepin County, USA
Coordinate	:	45.1225014, -93.3906021
Description	:	On October 20, 1839 as William Ross, he married Emma C.W. Branigan at Boston, Massachusetts. The Evening Bulletin Monday, February 24, 1879 Providence, Rhode Island William Ross A notable citizen departed this life, on Washington's birthday. Just as the noon day artillery salute was about to be fired and the church bells were about to be rung in honor of the great anniversary, the spirit of Colonel William Ross went forward to join the innumerable host in the "undiscovered country." But perhaps the question will be asked, was he ever a colonel? Well, he never held a military commission;... Read More	On October 20, 1839 as William Ross, he married Emma C.W. Branigan at Boston, Massachusetts. The Evening Bulletin Monday, February 24, 1879 Providence, Rhode Island William Ross A notable citizen departed this life, on Washington's birthday. Just as the noon day artillery salute was about to be fired and the church bells were about to be rung in honor of the great anniversary, the spirit of Colonel William Ross went forward to join the innumerable host in the "undiscovered country." But perhaps the question will be asked, was he ever a colonel? Well, he never held a military commission; but many years ago, a very large company of expressmen in his employ, who admired his daring enterprise, indomitable pluck and always honorable and liberal conduct, formally dubbed him, with a style of knightly ceremony, "Colonel Ross of Ross's 'Xpress" and from that day to this, he has always been honored with the title which so many Americans (some of them, it may be, less worthy of it) have quietly borne – without being arrested. Colonel Ross was born, as he has repeatedly informed us in answer to inquiries, in 1801, in Boston, in the "Colonel stay house" on Ann Street. His parentage was every way respectable and he received a very fair education, study in, to some moderate extent, the Latin language, but giving more attention to standard English authors and especially to poetry, of which he was always fond. Some changes in circumstances of his father, led him, when quite young to seek and obtain a situation as a captain's clerk on board of a West India vessel, in which he went to several of the West India islands, subsequently acting as supercargo on that or some other vessel. Upon returning, at a later period, to this country, he became connected as agent, with the "Providence Union Line" of coaches between this place and Boston. We believe he was also connected, either before or afterwards, with another line. At any rate, we know that he proved himself a very valuable man to more than one of the Boston lines of those days and that he always showed "the opposition," whatever it might be, some remarkably smart tricks. He was ever a very hard man to beat, either in the way of making time or obtaining passengers. It was in the express business, however, that Colonel Ross won, probably, his greatest fame. Whether as an express rider of the manager of "Ross Xpress" (as he always would have it printed, contending there was no need of an E) he was really unrivalled. Nothing could equal his spirit, enterprise, daring and dash. His eyes were a piercing of those of the old American Eagle; his countenance was expressive of invincible resolution and he seemed, then, to have a constitution of wrought iron and nerves of steel. At the time of the very exciting Presidential election, when Polk and Dallas (or pork and dollars as the cry was in Pennsylvania among the foreign vote) were somehow elected, Colonel Ross drove a buggy express from Danielsonville to the Journal office, bringing the news, a distance of twenty-six miles, in one hour and ten minutes, with four changes of horse and impenetrable darkness. When he rushed into the Journal office, he was so completely bespattered with mud that the folks there hardly knew him. He drove one night express from Boston to Providence against a pretty smart competition, coming through in three hours and ten minutes, beating his competitor by just fifteen minutes and bringing highly important commercial news to private parties, who had engaged his services. From Dedham to Walpole the Colonel drove with what was called "a kicking mare," but he said he didn't gibe her any time to kick in that dash. From Walpole to Attleborough he had a fast horse and from Attleborough to Providence he drove through in a high wheel sulky, with one of Bidden's horses, in thirty minutes from Union House. He organized, on one important election occasion, a very quick day express from Providence to Boston, in which twenty good riders with fast horses were employed. We are not able to state, now, the exact time made, but one of the riders, as the Colonel told us, was accidentally thrown, somewhere on the road and rolled down an embankment. The express roll, however, was speedily secured. Many of our citizens will remember how the Colonel used to tear up through South Main Street, in an old gig, with packages from the New York boat, suddenly pulling up, now and then and jumping out and into a store, with never more than two bounds, used to throw down his package, jump back again, whip up and be off again for the next place, as though several officers were after him in full cry. Colonel Ross subsequently went upon the railroad and first upon the Boston and Providence. He sold the first ticket every sold on that road and run the mails in a sleigh when the track was rendered impassable in the winter. He sold for this road, also, when they ferried from India Point to the west side. Moreover, he ran the first express ever sent over the B. and P. road, having on a car with passengers and making the trip in one hour and ten minutes. He sold, too, the first tickets ever sold on the Stonington Road; was a conductor on that road and was superintendent, the first year of the opening to Greenport, of the Long Island Road, under Major Whistler, to whom he rendered valuable service in the construction of that road. Major Whistler offered the Colonel good inducements to accompany him to Russia, but they were declined. Colonel Ross was in service on the Stonington road about eight years, during which time he was absent only five days and regularly put in an appearance at the depot at 2 o'clock AM. At one time he established an express milk route on the Worcester road, carrying from one hundred to two hundred cans per day. During his engagement in the express business, in various directions, Colonel Ross carried gold, notes and drafts in very heavy amounts, in addition to all sorts of dispatches and other things and he never, in a single instance, lost a package of failed in his duty. He was somewhat noted for certain eccentricities, but these have been much exaggerated by report. The very sharp peaked toed boots which he always wore had the merit of being excellent weapons of defence, without the criminal fault of being "concealed weapons" and as for his different styles of vests and hats, they contributed to enhance the interest of the ladies in fashions and frequently awakened marked attention. It is within our knowledge that he was once offered twenty dollars for one of his summer hats, but he wouldn't look at the proposal. Perhaps, after all, his greatest manifestation of eccentricity was in his bid for and purchase of the family Jenny Lind ticket – or rather that first choice of a seat for which he received the ticket. This ticket, which he has ever since safely preserved, is a handsome white card measuring 21 by 17 inches, with an ornate border some four inches wide, in colors. The inscription upon it is – "Prize Ticket, No. 630, Jenny Lind's Concert, Providence, Colonel William Ross, Price 653 Dollars. Received payment, October 4th, 1856. P.T. Barnum. Jenny Lind." The signatures are in the hand writing of the two great celebrities and was attached to the card, by them, at the City Hotel, the Colonel being present. Of course, he received another small ticket for use; but, somehow, it happened that he never went to the concert! Ever since that time, Barnum has always sent the Colonel complimentary tickets for all the shows he has brought to Providence. Although Colonel Ross was very sharp in making a bargain, always meaning to buy whatever he did buy at the lowest possible figure at which it could be sold, he was nevertheless a really generous-hearted and open-handed man, giving away in the course of a year a great deal to the really needy, always remembering the poor on Christmas and Thanksgiving days and manifesting often singular liberality. The Colonel had been confined to his house only a few weeks, during which time he steadily declined, finally losing all ability to take or retain any nourishment and gradually fading, as it were, away. He leaves a widow, two daughters, well married and one woman and two sons, one of whom has long been a resident of New Orleans. He was very attached to his family and they to him. The real and personal estate which he has left must, we think, be very considerable.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Col William Ross's memorial?
Col William Ross's memorial is located at: Saint Vincent Cemetery, Osseo, Hennepin County, USA.
When did Col William Ross death?
Col William Ross death on 22 Feb 1879 in Providence, Providence County, Rhode Island, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Col William Ross's memorial?
Latitude: 45.1225014
Longitude: -93.3906021

Family Members:

Spouse

Emma Caroline Williams Branigan Ross

(1822 - 1886)

Children

William Ross

(1841 - 1907)

Carrie Ross Bennett

(1844 - 1885)

Jenny Lind Ross Congdon

(1848 - 1908)

Frank Ross

(1850 - 1921)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Saint Vincent Cemetery
Osseo, Hennepin County, USA
Coordinate: 45.1225014, -93.3906021

2. Advent Peace and Remembrance Garden
Maple Grove, Hennepin County, USA
Coordinate: 45.1264640, -93.4023590

3. Niggler Cemetery
Osseo, Hennepin County, USA
Coordinate: 45.1157990, -93.4041977

4. Saint Pauls Lutheran Church Cemetery
Osseo, Hennepin County, USA
Coordinate: 45.1109123, -93.4026489

5. Brooklyn and Maple Grove Union Cemetery
Maple Grove, Hennepin County, USA
Coordinate: 45.1109100, -93.4026500

6. Brooklyn-Crystal Cemetery
Brooklyn Park, Hennepin County, USA
Coordinate: 45.0867004, -93.3743973

7. Maple Knoll Cemetery
Maple Grove, Hennepin County, USA
Coordinate: 45.1094017, -93.4571991

8. Saint Fridolin Cemetery
Champlin, Hennepin County, USA
Coordinate: 45.1669006, -93.4210968

9. Rush Creek Cemetery
Maple Grove, Hennepin County, USA
Coordinate: 45.1464005, -93.4721985

10. Mound Cemetery
Brooklyn Center, Hennepin County, USA
Coordinate: 45.0783005, -93.3261032

11. Champlin Cemetery
Champlin, Hennepin County, USA
Coordinate: 45.1856766, -93.4020615

12. Zion Columbarium
Anoka, Anoka County, USA
Coordinate: 45.1933610, -93.3861390

13. Weaver Lake Cemetery
Maple Grove, Hennepin County, USA
Coordinate: 45.1164017, -93.4918976

14. Faith Lutheran Memorial Garden
Coon Rapids, Anoka County, USA
Coordinate: 45.1722820, -93.3155480

15. Epiphany Catholic Cemetery
Coon Rapids, Anoka County, USA
Coordinate: 45.1712303, -93.3140106

16. Joyce Chapel Cemetery
Coon Rapids, Anoka County, USA
Coordinate: 45.1797028, -93.3166504

17. Epiphany Memorial Garden
Plymouth, Hennepin County, USA
Coordinate: 45.0436500, -93.4054700

18. Glen Haven Memorial Gardens
Crystal, Hennepin County, USA
Coordinate: 45.0461006, -93.3582993

19. Saint Patricks Cemetery
Maple Grove, Hennepin County, USA
Coordinate: 45.0833015, -93.4891968

20. Oakwood Cemetery
Anoka, Anoka County, USA
Coordinate: 45.2042007, -93.3981018

21. Meadow Hills Cemetery
Dayton, Hennepin County, USA
Coordinate: 45.1891790, -93.4601700

22. Forest Hill Cemetery
Anoka, Anoka County, USA
Coordinate: 45.2057991, -93.4041977

23. Immanuel United Methodist Cemetery
Maple Grove, Hennepin County, USA
Coordinate: 45.1380997, -93.5092010

24. Assumption Cemetery
New Hope, Hennepin County, USA
Coordinate: 45.0364227, -93.3853683