M. 29 Mar 1826 in Boundbrook, New Jersey1
Wife: Alletta Van Arsdalen
D. 14 Jul 1878 in Jersey County, Illinois2
During the first half of the 19th century, people like James S. Ross brought a strong New Jersey heritage into the Midwest, helping to populate the region.
James was born March 4, 1803 in Somerset County to John Ross and Martha Van Tuyl.1 There were 10 children in the family, two of which died as infants. When James was 5 years old, his father died and left the family without support and in some debt. He was named in his father’s will to receive two shares of the estate to be divided amongst his siblings when the youngest, William, reached 21 in July 1827.3
At age 16, James became an apprentice to a brother-in-law who was a blacksmith.1 It's likely he used the small inheritance from his father to set himself up with a blacksmith business. He continued with it for about the next 12 years, at the same time owning his own farm.1 On March 29, 1826, he married Alletta Van Arsdalen in Boundbrook, New Jersey.1 They had three sons born between 1829 and 1836.
In 1838, James decided to sell out and move to Illinois. He first made a trip there by himself to check it out, then in July of 1839, moved his family there, traveling by wagon.1 His father-in-law gave him a loan of $500, probably so they could buy some land there.4 He purchased a farm three miles east of Jerseyville, Illinois from a man named Russell.1 By 1850, James’ farm was worth $7,500.5 In 1870, the value of his properties had gone up to $15,000, and he had personal property worth $6,000.6 He sold his original farm to his youngest son James in 1865.1
James’ three sons turned out quite differently from each other. While the younger two were respected in the community, in 1866, his oldest son John was arrested for burglarizing a grocery store and sent to prison. In a petition for John's pardon, it was described that James was very well-regarded amongst the people of Jersey County; in part, this is why the petition was drawn up. John was released from prison in 1868.7
An 1872 atlas of Jersey County included a short biography of James, and also a small photo. The image is very pixilated, but gives a vague impression of how he looked late in his life.
At age 16, James became an apprentice to a brother-in-law who was a blacksmith.1 It's likely he used the small inheritance from his father to set himself up with a blacksmith business. He continued with it for about the next 12 years, at the same time owning his own farm.1 On March 29, 1826, he married Alletta Van Arsdalen in Boundbrook, New Jersey.1 They had three sons born between 1829 and 1836.
In 1838, James decided to sell out and move to Illinois. He first made a trip there by himself to check it out, then in July of 1839, moved his family there, traveling by wagon.1 His father-in-law gave him a loan of $500, probably so they could buy some land there.4 He purchased a farm three miles east of Jerseyville, Illinois from a man named Russell.1 By 1850, James’ farm was worth $7,500.5 In 1870, the value of his properties had gone up to $15,000, and he had personal property worth $6,000.6 He sold his original farm to his youngest son James in 1865.1
Farm that James sold to his youngest son, as it looked in 1872
James’ three sons turned out quite differently from each other. While the younger two were respected in the community, in 1866, his oldest son John was arrested for burglarizing a grocery store and sent to prison. In a petition for John's pardon, it was described that James was very well-regarded amongst the people of Jersey County; in part, this is why the petition was drawn up. John was released from prison in 1868.7
An 1872 atlas of Jersey County included a short biography of James, and also a small photo. The image is very pixilated, but gives a vague impression of how he looked late in his life.
Photograph of James, probably during the 1860s.
In 1874, James became paralyzed, possibly from a stroke, and he went to live with his middle son David on a farm just outside of town.2 He died July 14, 1878,2 and left all his property to Alletta. His will described that he owned a farm, as well as two lots in the town of Jerseyville.8 He was buried in Oak Grove Cemetery.9 Alletta survived him, and passed away in 1886.10
Children:
1. John Ross – B. before 26 Jul 1829, (probably) Somerset County, New Jersey;11 D. after 1872, (probably) Illinois;1 M. Ellen Ann Luckey (1829-1882), 3 Apr 1850, Jerseyville, Illinois12
2. David Robert Ross – B. 1831, Boundbrook, New Jersey;13 D. 16 Mar 1885, Jersey County, Illinois;14 M. Eliza McBride (1834-1904), 7 May 1885, Carrollton, Illinois15
3. James Christopher Ross – B. 20 Mar 1836, Somerset County, New Jersey;16 D. 27 Jan 1904, Jersey County, Illinois;16 M. Elizabeth J. Robinett (1842-1905), 22 Mar 1857, Jersey County, Illinois17
Sources:
1 Atlas of Jersey County, Illinois, 1872
2 Death certificate of James Ross, Jerseyville, Illinois, 27 Jul 1878
3 Will of John Ross, Middlebrook, New Jersey, 26 Feb 1808
4 Probate file of Christopher Van Arsdalen, Somerset County, New Jersey, 1840
5 1850 U.S. Census, Jersey County, Illinois
6 1870 U.S. Census, Jersey County, Illinois
7 Pardon petition file of John Ross, Springfield, Illinois, 1867-1868
8 Probate file of James Ross, Jersey County, Illinois, 1878
9 Find-a-Grave listing of James Ross
10 Find-a-Grave listing of Alletta (VanArsdale) Ross
11 Baptismal record of John Ross, First Reformed Dutch Church, Raritan, New Jersey, 26 Jul 1829
12 Marriage record of John Ross and Ellen Ann Luckey, Illinois Marriages, 1815-1935, FamilySearch.org
13 WikiTree listing of David Ross
14 Find-a-Grave listing of David Ross
15 Marriage record of David Ross and Eliza McBride, I.M.
16 Find-a-Grave listing of James Christopher Ross
17 Marriage record of James C. Ross and Elizabeth J. Robinett, I.M.
Children:
1. John Ross – B. before 26 Jul 1829, (probably) Somerset County, New Jersey;11 D. after 1872, (probably) Illinois;1 M. Ellen Ann Luckey (1829-1882), 3 Apr 1850, Jerseyville, Illinois12
2. David Robert Ross – B. 1831, Boundbrook, New Jersey;13 D. 16 Mar 1885, Jersey County, Illinois;14 M. Eliza McBride (1834-1904), 7 May 1885, Carrollton, Illinois15
3. James Christopher Ross – B. 20 Mar 1836, Somerset County, New Jersey;16 D. 27 Jan 1904, Jersey County, Illinois;16 M. Elizabeth J. Robinett (1842-1905), 22 Mar 1857, Jersey County, Illinois17
Sources:
1 Atlas of Jersey County, Illinois, 1872
2 Death certificate of James Ross, Jerseyville, Illinois, 27 Jul 1878
3 Will of John Ross, Middlebrook, New Jersey, 26 Feb 1808
4 Probate file of Christopher Van Arsdalen, Somerset County, New Jersey, 1840
5 1850 U.S. Census, Jersey County, Illinois
6 1870 U.S. Census, Jersey County, Illinois
7 Pardon petition file of John Ross, Springfield, Illinois, 1867-1868
8 Probate file of James Ross, Jersey County, Illinois, 1878
9 Find-a-Grave listing of James Ross
10 Find-a-Grave listing of Alletta (VanArsdale) Ross
11 Baptismal record of John Ross, First Reformed Dutch Church, Raritan, New Jersey, 26 Jul 1829
12 Marriage record of John Ross and Ellen Ann Luckey, Illinois Marriages, 1815-1935, FamilySearch.org
13 WikiTree listing of David Ross
14 Find-a-Grave listing of David Ross
15 Marriage record of David Ross and Eliza McBride, I.M.
16 Find-a-Grave listing of James Christopher Ross
17 Marriage record of James C. Ross and Elizabeth J. Robinett, I.M.
