Jonathan Ross (April 30, 1826 – February 23, 1905) was an American politician, lawyer and judge from Vermont. He served as chief justice of the Vermont Supreme Court (1890–1899) and briefly as a United States Senator from Vermont (1899–1900).
Ross was Treasurer of Passumpsic Savings Bank from 1858 to 1868.[1] He practiced law in St. Johnsbury until 1870.[1] After being State's attorney for Caledonia County from 1862 to 1863, he was appointed a member of the State board of education, holding that office from 1866 to 1870.[1]
In December 1898, U.S. Senator Justin S. Morrill died.[6] Governor Edward Curtis Smith offered to appoint Benjamin F. Fifield to the vacancy, and Fifield tentatively accepted.[7] Several days later, Fifield declined, and Smith then offered the appointment to Ross, who accepted.[7] He served from January 11, 1899, to October 18, 1900, when a successor was elected.[8] While in the Senate, he was chairman of the United States Senate Committee to Examine Branches of the Civil Service (Fifty-sixth Congress).[9] He was not an active candidate for reelection in 1900.[1] In October 1900, Ross was elected president of the Vermont Bar Association, and he served a one-year term.[10] In November 1900, he succeeded David J. Foster as chairman of the state board of railroad commissioners, and he served until being succeeded by Fuller C. Smith in November 1902.[11]
Death and burial
Ross retired to his home in St. Johnsbury, where he resided until his death.[1] He died on February 23, 1905, from injuries sustained when his sleigh was struck by a train a few days earlier.[1] According to published accounts, Ross and his wife were stopped at a crossing while a train passed by.[1] Their horse became frightened and dashed between two train cars, demolishing the sleigh and killing Mrs. Ross.[1] The train crew transported Ross to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with a broken hip and other injuries, and remained until his death.[12] Ross is interred at Mount Pleasant Cemetery in St. Johnsbury, Vermont.[1]
Family
Ross married Eliza Ann Carpenter (1826–1886) on November 22, 1852.[1] They were the parents of eight children, including Caroline C., Eliza M., Helen M., Julia, Martha E., Edith Helen, Edward H., and Jonathan C.[13] In 1887, he married Helen Daggert, and they remained married until her death.[1]
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