George Ross

by Darleen Speer

Also in the 1911 History of Sonoma County book, on pages 286 and 287,
is a
biography of Losson's son George Ross, it reads:
"GEORGE A. ROSS
The son and grandson of pioneer settlers in California, George A. Ross
is
adding lustre to a name already held in high repute, through his
accomplishments as a horticulturist on the old paternal homestead near
Forestville, Sonoma county. This has been his life-time home, for he was
born here January 10, 1866, the son of Losson and Sidney (Meeks) Ross.
(For a detailed account of the family history the reader is refered to the
sketch of Losson Ross, elsewhere in this volume). The father had been
attracted to the west on account of the gold find in California, but after
following mining for about two years,and the maintenence of a general store
for the same length of time in Placer county, he turned his attention to
agriculture, with which he was more familiar, and followed this calling on
property which he purchased in Green Valley, Sonoma county, throughout the
remainder of his life. It was here that George A. Ross was born and
reared, attending the primary schools of this community in his boyhood, and
later attended Napa College, in the city of that name.Instead of returning
to the homestead ranch after his college course was completed, George A.
Ross accepted a position as fireman on the Californian and Northwestern
Railroad, filliung this position until he was made locomotive engineer.
His father being in need of his assistance in the care of the home property
he gave up his position with the railroadand returned home, and from that
time until the death of the father July 20, 1908, business was carried on
under the name of L. Ross and Son. At the time this property was purchased
it was ebtirely covered with oak timber and brush, but this was all cleared
and put under cultivation, an apple orchard and vineyard being set out, in
addition to which general farming was carried on to some extent. Since the
death of his father, Mr. Ross has continued the policy inaugurated by his
father, and now has thirty-five acres of vineyard, from which he has an
annual yeild of one hundred and fifty tons of grapes, and fifteen acres are
in full bearing apple trees of the Gravensein, Jonathon and Wagner
varieties. The trees are eight years old, and during the season of 1909
produced over four thousand boxes of fine fruit, the apples selling for
$1.40 per box F. O. B. One of the equipments of the ranch is the fine
packinghouse, where the fruit is sorted, packed and labeled for shipment.
The marriage of George A. Ross, which occured in 1891, united him with
Miss Lena L. Bach, a native daughter of Sonoma county, born in Petaluma.
Three sons have blessed their marriage, Mervyn F., Edwin and Leonard.
Fraternally Mr. Ross is a member of but one order, belonging to the Odd
Fellows lodge of Forestville. The business and other associations of Mr.
Ross are of the highest order, and indicate a man of high ideals and strict
integrity, and it is for this reason that he stands in such excellent
repute amoung his fellow citizens. Mr. Ross's mother is still living and
makes her home with him on the old homestead to which she came with her
husband in early pioneer days."