Company F 71^st OVI

The large congregation which gathered in the Presbyterian Church on last Sabbath afternoon at the funeral services of the late William F. Ross, Esq., showed the high esteem in which he was held in the community. The members of the bar attended in a body, occupying seats in the front of the church. Besides them were the members of the Sabbath School which the deceased had taught for many years, and the officers and teachers with who he had been associated. The pall bearers were equally chosen from his brethren in the church and the legal fraternity. On the casket were a sheaf of wheat and a sickle of flowers sent by the officers and teachers of the school. The address was made by Rev. Charles Herron, pasture of the church and a warm personal friend of the deceased. After the service the interment took place in Rose Hill Cemetery, beside the remains of his wife and daughter.

Squire Ross has been long and favorably known in this community. He grew to manhood in Perry County Pennsylvania, whence he came to Miami County in 1846. He engaged in the work of teaching, and made at once the impress of a strong character upon his pupils. He was deeply interested in that early day in the work of reform, and took an active part in it. To the last he retained his deep interest in others, and on the last Sabbath of his life not only attended divine service, both morning and evening, but taught his class in the Sabbath School, and in the afternoon took part in the services at the Infirmary, making a strong address. He was a through Presbyterian, having strong convictions, and intelligently and tenaciously holding to them. There was nothing negative in his Christianity. He was positive in his beliefs, yet had a liberal charity for the opinions of others and gladly co-operated in every good word and work. He had many struggles in the earlier part of his career, but fought bravely against his temptations and became illustrious for his upright, faithful, unwavering Christian integrity. The younger generation knows him as a man who has lived a quite consistent, devoted Christian life, and has had a strong object lesson of what the Grace of God can do for a man. Only a positive infirmity could keep him from his place in the Sabbath service, the prayer meeting and the Sabbath school. His absence was so unfailing. He retained a strong, vigorous mind to the last, and no place did he show it more clearly than in his strong study and teaching of the word of God. His public addresses on religious themes, when called upon to make such, were full of fervent piety and an intelligent faith. For a number of years his failing eye-sight deprived him largely of the pleasure of reading, but an operation about a year ago gave him great relief and added comfort.

In his prime he was a strong pleader at the bar, and some of his efforts are recalled as models of forensic oratory. He occupied various positions of trust and responsibility, at one time that of Prosecuting Attorney, and again the Mayor of this city. For the past few years he has been a Justice Of The Peace, being at the time of his decease in his second term. Those who came in contact with him in business speak of his strict integrity, unfailing courtesy and kindly charity in speaking of others.　 He has left behind him the legacy of a good name.