James W. Ross, D. D. S. Biography


	This biography appears on pages 111-112 in "History of Dakota 
	Territory" by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. V (1915) and was 
	scanned, OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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				JAMES W. ROSS, D. D. S. 

	Although Dr. James W. Ross has given the greater part of his 
attention to the practice of his profession, in which he has met with 
gratifying success, he has also participated in public affairs and has 
ably served as mayor of Milbank. He was born in Brandon, Vermont, 
December 11, 1866, a son of Wallace A. and Hattie E. (Bush) Ross. The 
maternal grandfather, Seymour Bush, who was a lifelong resident of 
Vermont, conducted a prosperous wholesale and retail harness 
establishment. Wallace A. Ross was born in the Green Mountain state in 
1845 and upon removing westward took up his residence in Northfield, 
Minnesota, where he passed away the year after his arrival in that 
city. He was a merchant by occupation. His political belief was that of 
the republican party and his religious faith that of the Protestant 
Episcopal church. He served in the Civil war with a Vermont regiment of 
volunteer infantry and held the rank of first lieutenant when but 
eighteen years of age. While at the front he contracted a disease that 
caused his death in 1874. His widow was also born in Vermont, her natal 
year being 1847, and she is still living. To their union were born two 
children but one is now deceased. 

	James W. Ross was educated in the public schools of Brandon, 
Vermont, Northfield, Minnesota, and in Carleton College, Penn College 
of Dental Surgery and the Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia. A 
thorough general and technical education thus prepared him for his life 
work and has been a large factor in his subsequent success. He 
practiced dentistry in Minnesota, South Dakota and North Dakota and on 
the 20th of June, 1886, arrived in Milbank, where he has since resided. 
He has gained an enviable reputation in his profession and has built up 
a large and lucrative practice. 

	In May, 1892, Dr. Ross married Miss Florence V. Owen, who was 
born in Massachusetts. The Doctor is a republican and has always kept 
well informed on the questions and issues before the public. In local 
affairs he has been quite influential and has taken a leading part in 
various movements seeking public advancement. Aside from holding a 
number of minor offices he has served on the Milbank council for a 
number of years and was for two years mayor of the city, giving the 
municipality an administration characterized by efficiency and 
integrity. Fraternally be belongs to the Masonic lodge, in which he is 
serving as senior warden; to the Royal Arch Chapter; the Knights of 
Pythias, in which he is past chancellor commander; and the Watertown 
Lodge of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. During the many years 
that he has resided in Milbank he has gained a host of warm friends and 
the sincere respect of all who have come in contact with him, as in the 
various relations of life he has measured up to the highest standards 
of manhood.