BIO: Joseph ROSS, 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, page 263.
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  ROSS, JOSEPH, was born July 14, 1798, at Elizabethtown, Pa.; died 
January 26, 1863, at Middletown, Pa.  At a proper age he went to 
Harrisburg, Pa., to learn the mercantile business.  Afterwards he 
engaged in said occupation in that place, and then moved to Middletown, 
where he continued keeping store till near the close of his life.  In 
the year 1824 he became acquainted with Rev. John Winebrenner, who 
visited Middletown to preach the gospel, and under him became 
converted.  At the first opportunity he identified himself with the 
Church of God, being one of the original members of that denomination 
in Middletown, where he continued to be among its most active workers 
until his death.  His name appears as a ruling elder in the journal of 
the Fourth Annual Eldership, held at Middletown, December 25, 1833.  He 
was licensed to preach at the Seventh Annual Eldership which convened 
at Churchtown, Cumberland county, November 5, 1836.  At the time of his 
death he was a member of the board of publication and treasurer of the 
General Eldership as well at treasurer of the East Pennsylvania 
Eldership.  He traveled and labored in the ministry, at protracted and 
other meetings, "without money and without price," and was an eminently 
successful revival preacher.  His liberality and benevolence were all 
well known at home, and in all the churches.  His warmth of heart and 
affection made him beloved by all his acquaintances.  He was a strict 
disciplinarian, and a great lover of order.  Besides, he carried his 
religion into his business, being scrupulously truthful and honest in 
all his dealings, loving justice and hating sin in every form.  He was 
devotedly attached to the doctrines of the Church of God, fearlessly 
defended them, and worked actively to establish them.  Mr. Ross 
married, in 1822, Catherine Kunkel, daughter of Christian Kunkel, of 
Harrisburg.  She was born December 22, 1803, and died in 1896 in the 
ninety-third year of her age.