Was named in honor of Judge James Ross, and erected in 1812.  It is bounded on the north by Brush creek, on the east by Saline and Knox, on the south by Salem, and on the west by Springfield townships, and includes thirty-square miles, all of the original congressional township eleven in range three, except the northern tier of sections which now form a part of Brush Creek township.

TOPOGRAPHY

FIRST SETTLEMENT.

     Between the years 1800 and 1805, a number of squatters built cabins along Yellow creek, hunted, fished and sometimes boiled salt at the salt springs on section 34, but they were not owners of land, and being migratory in their habits, soon disappeared from the scene of action.  Amongst them were William Castleman, Mark Duke, John Bruce, John Davis, Jacob Drake and William Roach.  The first permanent settlers were Thomas George, Allen Speedy, Arthur Latimer, Stephen Coe, Lodowick Hardenbrook, Joseph Elliott, John Farguhar, Thomas Bay, William Scott, Henry Crabs, Joseph Reed, Isaac Shane and others.  Thomas Bay was a participant in the disgraceful tragedy enacted at Gnadenhutten under Colonel Williamson, but always seemed filled with remorse for the part he took in the murder of Moravian.

SALT WORKS.

PETROLEUM.

     There is a tradition that the Indians, and later the whites, gathered "Seneca oil" by spreading blankets on a pond at the mouth

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of Brimstone run, on Yellow creek.  Be this as it may, it has never been doubted by the settlers on the creek that the precious oleaginous fluid existed in paying quantities, and only awaited development.  Consequently, after the astounding revelations of Pennsylvania oildom had set the whole country on the quivive,, a company of enterprising gentlemen associated themselves together under the title of the "Springfield and Yellow Creek Oil Company," for the purpose of testing the territory.  In 1866 they put down a four-inch well at the mouth of Brimstone run, and at a depth of 500 feet "struck oil," which flowed rapidly for a few hours, running into the creek and waisting several barrels of oleaginous wealth.  A pump was then put in and about 200 barrels of oil saved when the supply become exhausted.  Failing to secure any other favors from the fickle goddess of fortune, they turned their attention to the manufacture of salt, which was continued until 1871, when the business was abandoned.  In 1870, a Pennsylvania company sunk a well to the depth of 1,000 feet; got plenty of salt water, but no oil.  No wells have been sunk since.

EARLY IMPROVEMENTS.

ELECTIONS.

TOWNSHIP OFFICERS

BACON RIDGE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

YELLOW CREEK UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

PINE GROVE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

MOUNT ZION M. E. CHURCH.

BETHEL LUTHERAN CHURCH.

MOORETOWN M. E. CHURCH.

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MILLS.

STORES

ANCIENT FORTIFICATIONS

SOLDIERS MONUMENT.

     This monument was erected by Robert George in 1871, for the purpose of perpetuating the memory of the soldiers of Ross township, who fell in the service of their country.
     It is situated on Mr. George's farm on the bluff overlooking Yellow creek.  It rests upon a raised platform seven feet square, dorie column including capital twenty-one feet high.
     The material used is gray sandstone of excellent quality taken from the adjacent hills.
     The western face of the base bears this inscription:  "To the memory of the fallen soldiers of Ross township, Jefferson county, Ohio in the war of 1861 to 1865."
     The western face of the die has these names and dates inscribed on it:

"Thomas, son of Robert and Martha George, 2d regiment, O. V. I., killed at Perryville, Ky., Oct. 8, 1862;
Thomas Duke, 32d regiment, died Aug. 27, 1864;
John Duke,1st Tennessee battery, died Aug. 27, 1864;
James Dorrance, 2d regiment, O. v. I., died Mar. 31, 1862;
Robert McClave, 52d regiment, O. V. I., died Jan. 14, 1863;
Baston Geren, 2d regiment, O. V. I., killed May 8, 1864;
Elbridge Green, 8th Iowa cavalry, died ____, 1862.

On the northern face is found:
David Potts, 32d regiment, O. V. I., killed 1864;
James Russell, 2d Reg. O. V. I., died Apr. 14, 1862;
John Porter, 2d regiment O. V. I., killed Apr., 1864;
David Call 2d regiment, O. V. I., died 1863;
Isaiah Call 2d regiment O. V. I., died 1863;
J. Kirkpatrick, 32d regiment, O. V. I., died 1864;
Alfred Walters 2d regiment, O. V. I., died 1864;
Samuel F. McLain 2d regiment, O. V. I., died, 1863;

Eastern face:
Thomas B. Starn, 32d regiment, O. V. I., died Nov. 2, 1865;
Edward Graley, 32d regiment, O. V. I., died Aug. 4, 1864;
G. W. Graley 122d regiment, O. V. I., died Oct. 20, 1863;
John Stewart, 2d regiment O. V. I., died in prison, 1864;
Aaron Scamp 32d regiment, O. V. I., died in prison, 1864;
David Kriner, 2d regiment, O. V. I., died 1862;
Enos Striker,2d regiment, O. V. I., died 1864.

Southern face:
H. K. Crabs, 52d regiment, O. V. I., died Nov. 3d, 1863;
Adam Sauer, 178th regiment, O. V. I., died Jan. 14, 1865;
Stanley Shane, 2d regiment O. V. I., died Nov. 23, 1863;
Newton Wycoff, 52d regiment, O. V. I. died June, 1864;
William Rex, 2d regiment, O. V. I., died a prisoner, August, 1864;
Benjamin Rex, 52d regiment, O. V. I., died October, 1863;
Ross Coyle, 122d regiment, O. V. I., killed Dec. 4, 1863;
Edward Goodhn, 52d regiment, O. V. I., died 1863.

On the western face of the shaft is carved in high relief an appropriate military device, the whole presenting a pleasing appearance.  May this monument, conceived in patriotism, designed with taste and executed with skill, keep forever green the memory of fallen heroes whose names it records.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

     ISAAC SHANE was the son of James Shane, who emigrated from New Jersey to Washington county, Pa., in 1774, and settled about four miles west of the present site of Monongahela City, where Isaac was born Dec. 26, 1782.  In 1798, his father crossed the Ohio river at Cable's ferry, about three miles above Steubenville, and located on the headwaters of Wills creek.  Here Isaac lived till Oct. 17, 1805, when he married Hannah Rex, daughter of George Rex, of Greene county, Pa., and in 1810, moved to what is now known as the "Red Mill" property.  Again in 1812, he removed to the northeast quarter of section 19, range 3, township 11, where he has remained ever since, clearing out a large farm and rearing a large family.  The children were born as follows:  Martha, born July 5, 1807; Eliza, born Feb. 27, 1809; Mary, born Oct. 31, 1810; George R. born July 22, 1813; Susannah, born Dec. 1, 1815; James H., born Nov. 18, 1817; Isaac, born Oct. 22, 1819; John born May 26, 1822; Margaret, born Sept. 29, 1825; Henry, born Feb. 7, 1827.  Margaret, died in infancy and all the rest are married.  Mr. Shane was a man of industrious habits and accumulated considerable property, he and his sons owning at one time about 1,000 acres of land in Ross township.  He was elected justice of the peace in 1817, and served in that capacity till 1827; also served a term in the legislature in 1843.  In politics he is a Republican and in religion a Presbyterian.  Mr. Shane is at the present time in the 97th year of his age, and still in possession of his faculties, with a retentive memory - dictating to the writer the history of the Bacon Ridge Presbyterian church - and bids fair to live to celebrate the one hundred anniversary of his birth.

     JAMES H. SHANE, eldest son of John Shane, was born in Ross township, Nov. 18, 1817, and has lived all his life on the same property.  Sept. 7, 1843, he married Eliza B. Mills.  To them were born three children—Cyrie S., born Jan. 15, 1845; Nancy E., born Feb. 1, 1847, died 1849, and William W., born June 22, 1849, and died Oct. 10, 1849.  His wife dying Nov. 17, 1849, he was married to Lucinda Scott, Oct. 28, 1852, who died Sept. 24, 1853.  He was again married to Charlotte Riminehart, Apr. 25, 1854.  To them were born two children - John R., born Nov. 10, 1856, and Eliza M., born Mar. 13, 1859. Cyril S. Shane enlisted in Comany G, 52d O. V. I., Sept., 1862, and died at Nashville, Tenn., Dec. 23, 1863.  Mr. Shane is a successful farmer devoting his time and attention to stock raising. He clips annually about 1,000 pounds of wool.

     THOMAS H. GEORGE was the fourth son of Thomas and Jane George, and was born in Ross township, Jefferson county, Ohio, Nov. 6, 1818.  Received his education in the old log school house and was trained to industry and economy on the farm of his father.  Taking the Golden Rule for his guide in life, he early became the friend of the slave, and cast his first ballot for the liberty party, afterwards the free soil party.  His choice for the presidency was never elected until the time of Abraham Lincoln.  He was married Apr. 22, 1841, to Mary Robins, daughter of John Robins, of Carroll county, Ohio, who was born Feb. 26, 1822.  From this union there were born sons and four daughters—John P., born July 5, 1842; Jane, Mar. 4, 1844; Sarah, born Oct. 31, 1846; Thomas M., born Oct. 4, 1849, Crissie K., born Oct. 15, 1852; Edwin, born Oct. 22, 1864; Lizzie, born July 26, 1861.

     MORDECAI MOORE, SR. emigrated to Ohio in 1806, and located at New Lisbon, Columbiana county.  At the outbreak of the war of 1812, Mr, Moore enlisted in a company of “Light horse” under Captain William Harbaugh and served through the war.  In 1815, became to Ross township, Jefferson county, and although without capital he was possessed with an unlimited supply of pluck and enterprise.  He found the manufacture of salt on Yellow creek conducted in a very crude and unsatisfactory manner and immediately set himself to work to improve the same.  He at first located on section thirty-four, as there was found the salt water flowing spontaneously, but afterwards moved down the creek to the place afterwards known as “ Moore’s Salt Works,” where he spent his time and means in boring for salt.  So much reduced in circumstances did he become that it is related of him that he at one time pawned his coat for a bag of corn.  But with a courage that defied defeat he persisted and success crowned his efforts.  By substituting coal for wood and pans for kettles, Mr. Moor.

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ness flourished and wealth poured in upon him.  He served one term in the legislature and several terms as county commissioner.  He married Mary Laughlin and had seven children — John, Elizabeth, Abner, Cyrus, Bethsheba, Mordecai and Mary.  Only three— Mordecai, Cyrus and Elizabeth - survive,

     THOMAS GEORGE was born in Lancaster (now Dauplin county), Pa., in the month of February, 1780, and at the age of ten years his father, Robert George, moved to Washington county, Pa.  In the year, 1802, Andrew Griffin entered section 28 of township 11, and range 3, of the Steubenville land district in Ohio, and in the year 1804, Robert George bought the east half of the same, and his son Thomas (having in 1800, married Jane Hunter) moved to it in 1805, and brought with him two children, named Christina and Esther.  There were afterwards born to him five sons, named Robert, John, David, Thomas and Alexander; and three girls, named Esther, Ann and Sarah Jane.  Mr. George was the first permanent settler in Ross township, and planted the first orchard, having carried the young apple trees on a horse from Washington county, Pa.  He was of Scotch Irish descent.  Mr. George inherited all the leading traits of his sturdy Presbyterian ancestors.  Belonging to that branch of the church known as the Associate Presbyterian, he carried with him into his new home in Ohio, principles that have largely influenced the society of the present day.  He was a staunch abolitionist, and his house on Yellow creek was a noted station on “the underground railroad,” having harbored as high as twenty-one fugitives at a time.  Mr. George died Aug. 10, 1868, having served one term in the Legislature, in 1817, and twenty-one years as associate judge of Jefferson county, Ohio.

     ROBERT GEORGE, eldest son of Thomas George, was born in Ross township, Mar. 27, 1806. Subject to all the vicissitudes of frontier life, our subject early became inured to labor, and acquired habits of industry and ecomomy, which served him a purpose in after life.  Aug. 21, 1832, he married Martha McLaughlin, and to them were born three children—Thomas, born Jan. 6, 1835; James, born Dec. 19, 1836; and John, born Nov. 6, 1839.  Thomas enlisted in company “K,” 2d O. V. I, under Captain Mitchell, Oct. 1st, 1861, and was killed in the battle of Perrysville, Kentucky, Oct. 8, 1862.  John died of consumption at the age of twenty-four, and James remained at home.  Robert George, like his father, was an abolitionist, and permitted his name to be used as a candidate for the state senate for a number of years, when an election was an impossibility.  A true friend of the soldiers, he erected at a cost of $700.00, a monument to the fallen heroes of Ross township.  Mr. George still lives, enjoying the respect and confidence of his neighbors.

     REV. H. Y. LEEPER, son of Hugh Deeper, of Beaver county, Pa., was born May 13, 1838.  At the age of twenty he left home and attended Westminister College, in Lawrence county, Pa., about six months.  In August, 1859, he went to Jefferson College, where he remained four years and graduated in 1863.  He attended the Theological Seminary at Xenia, Ohio, four terms and was ordained at Sycamore, Ohio, in 1868, and installed pastor of the United Presbyterian congregation at that place.  In January, 1870, Mr. Leeper accepted a call from the Yellow Creek U. P. congregation and removed to Mooretown, Jefferson county, Ohio.  He was married May 28, 1867, to Mary Rosborough, daughter of William Rosborough, of Sparta, Ill.  Their union has been blessed with three children - William A., Hugh M. and Earl B.  Mr. L. is still the incumbent of the U. P. Church of Yellow Creek.

     MORDECAI MOORE, son of Mordecai Moore, Sr., was born in Ross township, Jefferson county, Ohio, May 7, 1821.  His early life was spent in and around the salt works ot his father.  Oct. 15, 1843, he married Elizabeth Kirk and by her had ten children, seven of whom are living and named respectively John, Lewis, Mordecai. Stanton, Mary, Ella and Olive.  Mr. M. is an active business man, is engaged in farming, stock and wooI raising.  He and his sons have about 1,900 acres of land and annually clip about 5,000 pounds of wooI.

     JAMES E. LOWRY was born in Ross township, Jefferson county, Ohio, July 6, 1838.  He farmed, taught school and went to school at Mt. Union Academy until married, May 25, 1870, to Adeline McClellan, daughter of William McClellan, of Knox township, Jefferson county. To them were born four children - Charles B., born May 9, 1871; Dora V., born Feb. 2, 1873; George D., born Nov. 28, 1875; Emmet E., born June 4, 1877.  Mr. Lowry enlisted in Company K, 2d O. V. I., and served ten months.

     JOSEPH SHANE son of Benjamin Shane, was born Feb. 23, 1811.  He married Susan Shane Mar. 15, 1836; has six children living and one dead - Isaac H. born Dec. 15 1836; Mary H., born Feb. 7, 1839; Charles R. born Dec. 22, 1832; Hannah, born Mar. 15, 1846; Benjamin F., born Aug. 18, 1852; Anna, born Mar. 30, 1856; Jesse F., born Sep. 16, 1859.  Mr. Shane was elected justice of the peace in 1861, and still serves in that capacity.  He was also county commissioner from 1867 to 1870.

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