HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1977-06-30, Page 120Page s0
Alex Ross:
Alexander M. Ross, ap- struction. Upon completion of
pointed treasurer of Huron in the line into Goderich, in June
1858, held that office for a 1858 was appointed Treasurer
quarter-century, of Huron County. While in'this
relinquishing it only to join post, a contemporary
the ministry of Hon. Oliver biographer states, "he gave
Mowat as Treasurer of evidence of possessing ac -
Ontario. While he was county curate' financial knowledge
treasurer, Mr. Ross was and very capable business."
manager successively of two Huron Courthouse was
chartered bank branches: he occupied in 1856 and
was continuously a militia presumably the treasurer
officer, holding rank from had an office therein, but
lieutenant to colonel, and was stone walls could not contain
twice on active service. It is Alex. Ross. The "Trent af-
recorded that in 1869 he fair" of 1861, a naval episode
"commanded the gunboat which for a time threatened
Prince Albert on frontier to embroil Britain and the
service on the Detroit River," U.S, in war, caused a
but we are denied further speeding -up of militia
papticulars of this interesting organization in Canada, and
interlude with the British `Ross, now 31, formed a
Navy. Ross was three times company of Garrison
elected to the Legislative Artillery here. Five years
Assembly from West Huron. later, he took it to Sarnia to
At a time when he was a repel Fenian raiders.
cabinet minister he served as When the countryside,
a member of Goderich public lack ing communication
school board and was facilities. became alarmed by
"representative member" of the Fenian threat, the man'Fto
Goderich Curling Club. While whom the Goderich corn -
manager of a bank, he ad- munity turned, as a matter of
vertised that he had money to course, was A.M. Ross.
lend from Toronto Building &, Mayor John V. Detlor got out
Savings Society. and he was posters bearing the royal
agent for the Liverpool, arms and the following call to
London and Globe Insurance arms:
Company. He, finished his "I hereby, by virtue of my
public career as clerk of York office as chief magistrate,
county. and died in harness. call upon every male
The foregoing summary inhabitant of the town, who
seems to invite elaboration. has or who can obtain arms,
Let us therefore consider the to come up to the public
life and times of Alexander square this evening, at the
McLagan Ross, born in hour of o clock. that they
Dundee. Scotland, in 1829, mai recd, e such orders a',
whose 4talents budded and Major Rotis may deco, ex -
bloomed in Goderich, pedient ark, •ecessury.
Canada. His father, Colin The posh. r bears date of
Ross, came to this country in June 22, I81iri.
1833, at the same time as The battery of artillery
Thomas Kydd, who became subsequently became part of
postmaster of Goderich about a Huron county Infantry
1840, They came, it is said, battalion with you know who
from Arbroath, a town in as lieut.-colonel. Ross had a
Angus, not far from Dundee. memento of the artillery unit
Mrs, Ross,. the former in the form of a little silver
Elizabeth McLagan, followed cup, shaped like a mini bullet
in 1834 with the children, none and surmounted by tiny
of them identified for crossed rifles, "presented to
posterity except Alexander, Capt. A.M. Ross, Goderich
ho was "sent to the common Garrison Artillery, by men of
chools of Goderich." the battery. through Lieut.
Alex. subsequently married J.Y.S. Klerk" on Jan. 5, 1865,
Agnes Kydd, daughter of the In later years it was a
postmaster, and a biographer possession of Cockburn Hays.
writing in 1886 records that In 1857, while Ross was still
"by this lady he had seven
children." paymaster of the railway
here, and only 29, he bought
Colin Ross had been in the from the Canada Company
Linen Company's Bank in the lot at Waterloo and
Scotland, but he "held the Montreal streets, later known
view that Canada was a as the Paterson place. In 1882,
working country, and four years after appointment
therefore every young man as county treasurer, he
should have skilled equip- acquired the property at
ment for labor." He sent North street and St. Vincent,
Alex., in his 14th year, to in later years a Garrow
learn the trade of carpenter, residence. He was receiving
and for six years, which must $1200 a year as treasurer, and
have seemed long, Alex was manager for the Royal
;•emained dutifully at this Canadian Bank until it closed.
.rade. He went with Walter In 1870 the panadian Bank of
Lawson, a contractor to Trent Commerce °came in, and of
(Trenton?) for a year, course its first manager was
returning to become a clerk A.M. Ross. ' He "filled the
in the Bank of Upper Canada. position with marked ability
The Bank of Upper Canada until 1883, when he became
at first carried on business Provincial Treasurer and
through an agent, John was succeeded by R.S.
Macdonald, then from about Williams.
1859 in the big brick house on In 1871, when Ross needed a
Cobourg street which later house suitable for a growing
became known as the Dr. Ure family. he borrowed $10,000
house, the G.M. Elliott house, by mortgaging both
W.F. Dunning's and finally properties to the Corporation
Bruce Sully's. .Clerk for of the County of Huron --or so
seven years in the Bank-- the Registry Office book
after three, he married --Ross declares. Council minutes for
left to become paymaster of 1871 afford no patriculars.
the Buffalo & Lake Huron The security was adequate,
Railway, then under con -
Turn to pnge'81 •
101
Congratulations and Thanks
Goderich
for the 150 years of fine tradition, in which we have
spent 23 happy years. We deem it an honour to help
continue the building of this fine community
Bill and Joan
and families
Ed and Melba
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TOWN OF GODERICH
ON YOUR
150th
ANNIVERSARY
We are pleased and proud to
be a part of this progressive community
HURON CAMERA CENTRE
AND
ERIC CARMAN PHOTOGRAPH
114 THE SQUARE GODERICH
324.7924