52 Ancestor's Challenge - William H. Ross 1841-1916 Missouri - Week 28

Week 28 is about William H. Ross.  According to Findagrave.com, William was born February 23, 1841.  Where he was born, I'm not sure.  I have conflicting information.  A few people have posted online that he was born in Cane Creek, Missouri.  His daughter, Martha Jane Ross Hopson Tracy, has that he was born in Missouri on her death certificate.  The 1850 Federal Census shows he was born in Missouri as well.  However, looking into later censuses, we find in 1900 it says he was born in Indiana and so were his parents.  But by 1910 it states he was born in Illinois, but it was unknown where his parents were born.

Speaking of William's parents, who were they?  I've seen online that some have his father listed as Thomas Ross, but I haven't seen any proof.  The 1850 Federal Census has William, who is age 9, living with another William who is age 60.  Could this older William be his father?  There are no relationships shown in the 1850 census, so we just don't know.

Tracking William's moves with the censuses, we can see where he lived and who he lived with (documents found on Ancestry.com):

1850 Federal Census
Living in District 77, Ripley County, Missouri
People living in household:

• William Ross, male, age 60 born in Connecticut, occupation is farming
• Lorenso Ross, male, age 19 born in Missouri, occupation is farming
• Jinnetta Ross, female, age 17 born in Missouri, no occupation
• Calvin Ross, male, age 14 born in Georgia possibly (hard to read initials), no occupation
• William Ross, male, age 9 born in Missouri, no occupation

1860 Federal Census

Living in Kelly Township, Ripley County, Missouri

Local Post Office is listed as Doniphan (this will come up again)

People living in household:

• C.N. (Claiborne) Kidd, male, age 30 born in Tennessee, occupation is farmer
• C. Kidd, female, age 23 born in Illinois, occupation is domestic
• Martha Kidd, female, age 13 born in Tennessee, no occupation
• Nancy Kidd, female, age 11 born in Tennessee, no occupation
• C. Kidd, male, age 5 born in Missouri, no occupation
• Jas Lee, male, age 14 born in Missouri, no occupation
• S.A. Lee, female, age 11 born in Missouri, no occupation
• C. Lee, female, age 4 born in Missouri, no occupation
• William Ross, male, age 19 born in Illinois, occupation is farmer
• Mary Jane Ross, female, age 15 born in Tennessee, no occupation

I haven't been able to find the marriage record for William and Mary Jane, but the 1910 Federal Census shows they were married about 1860.

We know from family tradition that William Ross fought in the Civil War for the Confederacy.  Family stories state he and his son-in-law, Harmon Augusta Tracy, who fought for the North, used to try tripping each other with their canes (Harmon was about 7 years older then William).  I have had trouble finding him in Civil War records.  There are too many with the same name.  However, browsing through Fold3.com, I found a Civil War record for Private William Ross of the 9th Missouri Infantry, Company H.  They show this William Ross was captured by the North in Little Rock, Arkansas on May 12, 1863.  With these records is a letter written on January 11th, 1865 stating his Oath of Allegiance to the United States.  This entire letter can be seen on Fold3.com, if you have a subscription.  It says the following:

"I Wm. Ross a private of Company H 9th Missouri Infy would respectfully represent that I was Conscripted in the Rebel Service in August, 1862, at Doniphan Missouri, I was forced into the Rebel Army against my free will and consent,...I voluntarily surrendered to the 6th Missouri Calvary at Little Rock Arkansas the 12th May 1863, in order to avail myself of the Amnesty Proclamation..."

I feel certain this may be the same William.  The link is that he enlisted at Doniphan, which was the post office location for his household on the 1860 Federal Census.  However, I have one hang up.  His daughter Martha Jane was born March 30, 1864.  His wife would have had to become pregnant right before he was captured, and have given birth late (pregnancy would have lasted about 45 weeks).  Could he have been able to go home at some point?  I can not say with 100% certainty that we have the same person.

The 1870 Federal Census, I can not find.  Not sure where they could have been living.  So we'll pick up with the 1880 Federal Census.

1880 Federal Census
Living on Third Street in De Soto, Jefferson County, Missouri
People living in household:

• William Ross, head of household, male, age 38 born in Illinois, parents born in Indiana, occupation is a Locomotive Fireman
• Mary J. Ross, wife,  female, age 34 born in Tennessee, parents born in Tennessee, occupation is keeping house
• Mattie Ross, daughter, female, age 16 born in Missouri, occupation is at home

By the 1900 Federal Census, they were living at 410 Stone Street, in Valle Township, City of De Soto, Jefferson County, Missouri.  Their daughter, Martha, was not listed on the census with William and Mary Jane, but 3 of her children from her first marriage were:  William H. (Willie), Ivie, and Myrtle Hopson.  They are also showing on the 1900 census living with their mother and her 2nd husband Harmon Augusta Tracy.  They may have lived at both places.

In 1910, William and Mary Jane were still living in Valle Township, City of De Soto, Jefferson County, Missouri.  He was still showing as an engineer for the locomotive.  This census shows how many children they had.  Next to Mary's name it says they had 2 children, and 1 was living.  I'm guessing one of their children must have died before 1880.

February 14, 1915, William's wife, Mary Jane Kidd Ross, died of "Valvular Heart Disease."  She was 70 years old.  The certificate states they were living on Stone Street near 3rd Street in De Soto.  She was buried at the City Cemetery in De Soto.

A little over a year later, William passed away too.  He was in the Missouri Pacific Railroad Hospital at 1600 California Ave., in St. Louis, Missouri prior to his death.  His age was 78 years old.  The certificate, found on Missouri Digital Heritage: Missouri Death Certificates 1910-1963, shows his occupation was a "Hustler Tending to the Engineer for the Missouri Pacific Railroad Co."  He was buried next to his wife in the De Soto City Cemetery.  You can see their tombstone here on Findagrave.com.

If you have any questions, or concerns, about any of the information listed above, please leave a comment.  I'd be happy to provide any additional information.  Thanks for reading!!