Person:John Ross (8)

…County’s Sterling, Loved Citizens, Dies Suddenly at His Home Near Rome, Aged 67
       One of Floyd county’s sterling citizens passed away Tuesday morning when John W. Ross died suddenly from heart trouble at his home on the Summerville Pike, near Armuchee. The news of his death will cause sorrow to hundreds of friends throughout this community—friends who had learned to esteem and honor him as a high type of good neighbor, true friend and splendid citizen.
       The funeral will take place this afternoon at three o’clock from the Methodist church at Armuchee. The services will be conducted by the Rev. H. L. Byrd, assisted by the Rev. Mr. Frazer.
       Mr. Ross had celebrated his sixty-seventh birthday on February 14th, and was apparently in good health until the attack came which ended his life. He was born in South Georgia, but had removed to Floyd county early in life and had resided there half a century. For the past twenty years the family had lived on the Summerville Pike.
       Surviving members of the family are the widow, two daughters, Miss Jennie and Connie Ross and a son, Charles Ross. Seven grandchildren also survive him.
       His life-long friend, Hon. Seaborn Wright, speaking of him yesterday, said: “The good Lord never made a better, truer man than John Ross. I loved him as I had loved few men. I know I never had a better friend. He was a big-hearted plain, out-spoken man, with no touch of hypocrisy about him. In his make-up there was no sham. He was all genuine. I never knew him to come in contact with an intelligent, honest man that he did not win his admiration and regard.
       “Such men as Dr Wm H. Felton and Sam Jones¹ had a profound respect and affection for him. The last time Sam Jones was over in Rome he and I spent the day at the home of John Ross. When we left Sam said to me, ‘I never spent a happier day. I love John Ross and his family. In all the days of my early trials and sorrow, John, his good wife, Aunt Bam and Bettie stood by me, believed in me, loved me, and it has helped to make me what I am.’
       “His stricken family will bear their grief easier, because they know hundreds will mourn with them for their loved one, and because, too, they know they will meet their husband, brother and father in a land where partings are unknown.”
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       ¹Sam Jones was a nationally known evangelist who began his preaching career in Rome. His “early trials” possibly refers to times when the ex-drinker went off the wagon in spectacular public fashion. His later nationwide evangelical tours drew overflow crowds to hear his sermons on the evils of alcohol.--KF

       John W. Ross was born in Monroe County, Georgia, near Barnesville February 14, 1849, and died February 15, 1916, at his late home in Floyd County, near Rome.
       He was of Scotch-Irish descent, therefore a very congenial and lovable man. Quick, indeed, to discern facts and good humor. Received only a moderate education in the schools, but supplemented the same by reading good books. He was a splendid mill-wright, and the people knew him as the mill-man.
       A leading churchman, truly helpful at quarterly conferences, and had entertained many of our greatest preachers. His home was headquarters for preachers: joined the M. E. Church, South, in 1879, few, if any, will be missed more than he.
       On December 21, 1869, he was married to Miss Laura L. Hoss. There were born unto them four children, three of whom yet live to mourn his departure. His good wife survives, also two brothers in Texas, and seven grand-children.
       God bless his memory and loved ones forever,
       A former pastor, G. L. Chastain.

Influence
       It is not the lot of every man to acquire wealth or fame, yet it is entirely within the power of any person to so conduct himself within his own particular sphere, that his influence will be felt.
       An illustration of this truth is found in the life of the late John Ross, of Floyd county, who just the other day passed to his reward. Mr. Ross was a quiet man, who lived a quiet life, most of it just within the confines of this county, a large part of it at the same country home. Yet such as the nature of the man that he wielded a potent influence upon all with whom he came in contact, and that influence was all for good. John Ross was of that sturdy dependable type of citizenship that has been the glory of America. There was good blood in his veins and he was true to its traditions. He did right because it was right. Therefore men said of him that his word was a good as his bond. Therefore men recognized him as a genuine, sincere, honest man, and sought his advice and friendship. Therefore he was a power in this community.
       There are many to miss him, and to mourn him, now that he is gone—but there were also many friends of the years gone by to await him and to welcome him upon the golden shore where souls that loved upon this earth meet again—and part no more.