Jonathan Ross
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| United States Senator from Vermont | |
| In office January 11, 1899 – October 18, 1900 | |
| Appointed by | Edward Curtis Smith |
| Preceded by | Justin S. Morrill |
| Succeeded by | William P. Dillingham |
| Chairman of the Vermont Board of Railroad Commissioners | |
| In office 1900–1902 | |
| Preceded by | David J. Foster |
| Succeeded by | Fuller C. Smith |
| President of the Vermont Bar Association | |
| In office 1900–1901 | |
| Preceded by | Charles Hial Darling |
| Succeeded by | John Young |
| Chief Justice of the Vermont Supreme Court | |
| In office 1890–1899 | |
| Preceded by | Homer E. Royce |
| Succeeded by | Russell S. Taft |
| Associate Justice of the Vermont Supreme Court | |
| In office 1870–1890 | |
| Preceded by | Benjamin H. Steele |
| Succeeded by | Laforrest H. Thompson |
| Member of the Vermont Senate from Caledonia County | |
| In office 1870–1870 Serving with John M. Martin | |
| Preceded by | Harley M. Hall Horace Fairbanks |
| Succeeded by | Calvin Morrill Charles Rogers Jr. |
| Member of the Vermont House of Representatives from St. Johnsbury | |
| In office 1865–1867 | |
| Preceded by | Gates B. Bullard |
| Succeeded by | Emerson Hall |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1826-04-30)April 30, 1826 Waterford, Vermont, U.S. |
| Died | February 23, 1905(1905-02-23) (aged 78) St. Johnsbury, Vermont, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Eliza Ann Carpenter Ross Helen Daggert Ross |
| Children |
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| Alma mater | Dartmouth College |
| Profession | Politician, lawyer, judge, principal |
| Signature |  |
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Jonathan Ross (April 30, 1826 – February 23, 1905) was an American politician, lawyer and judge from Vermont. He served as chief justice of the Vermont Supreme Court (1890–1899) and briefly as a United States Senator from Vermont (1899–1900).
Ross was born in Waterford, Vermont, on April 30, 1826, the son of Royal Ross and Eliza (Mason) Ross.[1] Ross attended the public schools and St. Johnsbury Academy.[1] He graduated from Dartmouth College in 1851 and was principal of the Chelsea and Craftsbury Academies from 1851 to 1856.[2]Hestudied law in the Chelsea office of former Congressman William Hebard, and later with Charles DavisofDanville and William A. FletcherofMichigan; he was admitted to the bar in 1856.[3]
Ross was Treasurer of Passumpsic Savings Bank from 1858 to 1868.[1] He practiced law in St. Johnsbury until 1870.[1] After being State's attorney for Caledonia County from 1862 to 1863, he was appointed a member of the State board of education, holding that office from 1866 to 1870.[1]
From 1865 to 1867, Ross was a member of the Vermont House of Representatives and he was a state senator in 1870.[1] He served on the Vermont Council of Censors in 1869.[1] He was judge of the Vermont Supreme Court from 1870 to 1890 and chief justice of Vermont from 1890 to 1899.[4][5]
In December 1898, U.S. Senator Justin S. Morrill died.[6] Governor Edward Curtis Smith offered to appoint Benjamin F. Fifield to the vacancy, and Fifield tentatively accepted.[7] Several days later, Fifield declined, and Smith then offered the appointment to Ross, who accepted.[7] He served from January 11, 1899, to October 18, 1900, when a successor was elected.[8] While in the Senate, he was chairman of the United States Senate Committee to Examine Branches of the Civil Service (Fifty-sixth Congress).[9] He was not an active candidate for reelection in 1900.[1] In October 1900, Ross was elected president of the Vermont Bar Association, and he served a one-year term.[10] In November 1900, he succeeded David J. Foster as chairman of the state board of railroad commissioners, and he served until being succeeded by Fuller C. Smith in November 1902.[11]
Ross retired to his home in St. Johnsbury, where he resided until his death.[1] He died on February 23, 1905, from injuries sustained when his sleigh was struck by a train a few days earlier.[1] According to published accounts, Ross and his wife were stopped at a crossing while a train passed by.[1] Their horse became frightened and dashed between two train cars, demolishing the sleigh and killing Mrs. Ross.[1] The train crew transported Ross to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with a broken hip and other injuries, and remained until his death.[12] Ross is interred at Mount Pleasant Cemetery in St. Johnsbury, Vermont.[1]
Ross married Eliza Ann Carpenter (1826–1886) on November 22, 1852.[1] They were the parents of eight children, including Caroline C., Eliza M., Helen M., Julia, Martha E., Edith Helen, Edward H., and Jonathan C.[13] In 1887, he married Helen Daggert, and they remained married until her death.[1]
This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
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| Preceded by | U.S. senator (Class 3) from Vermont January 11, 1899 – October 18, 1900 Served alongside: Redfield Proctor |
Succeeded by |
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