Pages 279-280

The executive force, watchfulness and accuracy demanded in banking circles find exemplification in the business record of F. V. Ross, who is cashier of the Farmers & Merchants Bank in Chula, a position which he has filled creditably since 1909. He was born in Chillicothe, February 21, 1874, and is a son of James K. and Emma (Shone) Ross, the former one of the pioneers of Livingston county. He came to this section with his father, David Ross, in the very early days of the county's organization and after he had grown to manhood followed the blacksmith's trade, with which he was connected practically all his life with the exception of a few years spent upon a farm. He was a veteran of the Civil war, having served as bugler in the federal army and having had the distinction of being one of the youngest volunteers. He died June 20, 1912, at the age of sixty-five, having survived his wife since February 27, 1910. Both are buried in the Parson Creek cemetery in Linn county. The family is of old French origin but representatives have been in America for many generations.

F. V. Ross acquired his education in the district schools of Eversonville, which he attended until he was nineteen years of age. He assisted his father with his work when not engaged with his books but when he began his active career turned his attention to mercantile pursuits, becoming a clerk in Eversonville and later in Chula. In 1897 he entered the State Normal School at Kirksville and after taking a literary course there returned to Eversonville, where he worked in various occupations until he came to Chula in 1909 as cashier of the Farmers & Merchants Bank, a position in which he has since remained. Since becoming connected with this institution his business capacity and enterprise have proven active and useful factors in its successful conduct and in the enlarging of its patronage. Mr. Ross is also interested in the general mercantile store operated by Elmore & Ross. In Eversonville, on the 21st of March, 1901, Mr. Ross was united in marriage to Miss Mary Devaul, a daughter of Robert and Louisa Devaul, the former a pioneer settler in Grundy county and a resident of Livingston county for the past thirty-five years. Mr. and Mrs. Ross have a son, Vernon, who is now attending school in Chula. Mr. Ross is progressive in his political beliefs and fraternally is connected with the Masonic order. He is also well known in the affairs of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, for he has been through all the chairs in this organization. His time and energies have however, been largely concentrated upon his business affairs and his industry, honesty and success have made him a factor in financial circles of Chula.

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