BIO: David Henry Earnest LaROSS, Dauphin County, PA

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Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of Dauphin County, 
Containing Sketches of Representative Citizens, and Many of the 
Early Scotch-Irish and German Settlers.  Chambersburg, Pa.: 
J. M. Runk & Company, 1896, pages 310-311.
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  LaROSS, DAVID HENRY EARNEST, the son of Rev. Joseph LaRoss and 
Elizabeth Earnest, was born January 9, 1827, at Bloomsburg, Columbia 
county, Pa.  His father died when his son was an infant, and his 
mother, an exemplary woman, when he was eleven years of age.  Thus 
early left an orphan he was thrown upon his own resources for a 
livelihood.  After various employments he returned to Hummelstown with 
his maternal uncle, and shortly after apprenticed himself to the trade 
of cabinet-maker. After serving his time he began clerking at 
Harrisburg, where he remained several years, at the same time closely 
applying himself to study.  He subsequently entered Lafayette College, 
Easton, where he remained two years, his limited means not permitting 
him to remain for graduation.  He then began teaching as a profession.  
In 1860 he was first elected county superintendent of public schools, 
in which position he served until his death, except  in 1872, when he 
was elected to a term of office by a vote of sixty-five out of ninety 
polled, yet, owing to some defect and objection by several boards of 
directors, the person who received the next highest number of votes was 
commissioned superintendent.  He was, however, re-elected in 1875 and 
in 1878, and again in 1881, when his vote was almost unanimous.  
Professor LaRoss died at Hummelstown, Sunday, October 22, 1882, in the 
fifty-sixth year of his age.  Professor LaRoss married, in 1853, Sarah 
A. Coil, of Shaefferstown, Lebanon county, Pa., who died in January, 
1867, and there was issue:  Joseph, John, Mary, Gertrude, married Eli 
Kline, of Allentown, Carroll, Robert, Sarah, and Eva.  He next married 
Annie W. Brenneman, of Elizabethtown, Pa., who died two years 
afterwards without issue.  In 1872 he married Fannie Hummel, of 
Hummelstown, and there was issue:  Fannie, Claude and Edna.