Charles Josiah Ross
Charles Josiah Ross (c1852-1942) of J. and G. Ross
Born the son of George Ross
1861 Living at 227 High Street, Exeter: George Ross (age 44 born Exeter), Outfitter. with his wife Emma and children Charles J. Ross (age 9 born Exeter); Mary Louisa Ross; William J. B. Ross; Florence Ross; Frank Ross; George L. Ross; and his MIL Anne E. Budden.[1]
1881 Living at 3 York Road, Exeter: James C. Ross (age 72 born Exeter), Retire Hosier and Fitter (Single). With his nephew Charles J. Ross (age 29 born Exeter), Tailor and Outfitter, and three nieces Florence Ross (age 24 born Exeter), Amy Ross (age 20 born Exeter) and Emma C. Ross (age 19 born Exeter).[2]
1891 Married at Littleham to Florence Catherine Tucker
1911 Visitor at 11 Tavistock Road, Westbourne Park, London W.: Charles Josiah Ross (age 59 born Exeter), Outfitter and maker of ladies and gentlemen's clothing. In the home of William Henry Squire, a Violinist and Composer.[3]
1942 June. Died.
Obituary.[4]
By the death of Mr. Charles Josiah Ross at Lea Mount, his Dawlish home, on Saturday, Exeter has lost a distinguished citizen, who was once its Sheriff, an Alderman, and one of its honorary Freemen. It was only two months ago that he resigned from the Aldermanic bench, which he was the senior occupant. Mr. Ross was the son of Mr. George Ross, who, with his brother James, carried on the tailoring business of Messrs. J. and G. Ross in High-street, founded by their grandfather, Mr. Donald Ross, of the 42nd Highlanders and C torn arty.
BUSINESS ENTERPRISE. Born at the High-street premises in 1851, and educated at Mount Radford School, Exeter, he entered the business, and as head of the firm, he introduced numerous novelties in sporting and other outfits. He also patented a number of outfitting devices. His enterprise led him open business premises in London, and these, in Old Bond Street, were soon enlarged by addition adjoining premises which, in bygone times, were a famous dining resort, patronised by Byron, Thackeray, and Dickens.
Few men have devoted themselves to their native city with such zeal and affection as Mr. Ross. It was in 1901 that he was first elected a member of the City Council, thus being second seniority to Alderman Lucas. Nine years later he became an Alder- man. He combined outspoken criticism with a ready wit and his intervention in debate rarely failed to give rise to lively and amusing interludes Though tenacious in his views and doughty fighter, he never made an enemy. He had many pet aversions. One was the old electric tramway system, which he once described as miniature railways," running through the main streets. He lived to welcome the more mobile motor 'bus.
ANNIVERSARY GIFT. Although imbued with a deep sense of civic pride Mr. Ross never filled the office of Mayor of his native city, and was not till 1931, during the Mayoralty Mr. H. W. Michelmore, that he became Sheriff, assisted by his sister. Miss Ross. When the 400th anniversary of the City Shrievalty was celebrated in September, 1937, he presented the Recorder's and Sheriff's badge, which was dedicated at the Cathedral service and was placed over the Sheriff's stall in the Cathedral.
Mr. Ross was formerly a delegate to the Association of British Chambers of Commerce and a past chairman of the Exeter Chamber of Commerce He was chairman of the Exeter Early Closing Association, and his work for this movement earned him a national reputation. Among other associations he was chairman in 1934 the Devon and Exeter Homeopathic Dispensary, president in the same year of the Exeter Fat Stock and Poultry Show Society, and president of the Devon Association Ringers, to which he gave a number of shields for competitive ringing in order to stimulate interest in campanology in rural Devon. He was secretary of the Exeter Centre the Royal Empire Society, a non-political body. politics a Conservative. Mr Ross was a director St. Thomas Conservative Club and President Exwick Ward the Exeter Conservative Association Until recent years he rarely missed attending the annual club supper.
KEEN YACHTSMAN. An enthusiastic yachtsman, Mr. Ross was a ormer commodore the Starcross Sailing Club, and commodore the Exeter Model Yacht Cub. He was president of the Exeter Angling Association, and in 1936 the Association made him a presentation to mark 25 years in that office to that time. He was also president of the Exeter Billiards and Bagatelle League, the Exeter Harriers' Club, and the Exeter Rovers' Cycling Club, and was a keen advocate of school cricket. Mr. Ross was deeply interested in the Exeter Cadet Corps, of which he was major He acted as a special constable in the city, and in 1925 was presented with a long service medal. Special recognition of Mr. Ross's long and valued services to the city came in 1937 with the conferment upon him of the honorary Freedom of Exeter by the unanimous vote of the City Council. His name is perpetuated by a gift Civic glass from the late Sir Edgar Plummer to be used at Civic functions in the Guildhall, and known as the Ross glass. In 1938 Mr. Ross himself presented to the city facsimiles of the Garter plate to be seen the stall which was occupied by the Duke of Albemarle at St. George's Chapel. Windsor, during the reign of Charles and of the coat of arms the Duke which are to be seen in St. George's Hall at Windsor Castle. The facsimiles are the only copies in the country There a portrait of the Duke in Exeter Guildhall.