The History of the Yakima Valley, Washington, Comprising Yakima, Kittitas and
Benton Counties, The S.J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1919, Volume II, page 728 

WILLIAM S. ROSS.

The agricultural interests of the Kittitas valley find a worthy representative
in William S. Ross, who has followed farming in Kittitas county for the past
eleven years and now resides on a highly improved property five miles west of
Ellensburg. His birth occurred in Harrison county, Missouri, on the 25th of
June, 1874, his parents being Branson M. and Susan Anise (Terhune) Ross, who
were natives of Ohio and Indiana respectively and were married in Iowa. They
removed to Missouri in 1862 and there continued to make their home until 1888,
when they journeyed westward to Idaho. In the latter state Mr. Ross turned his
attention to agricultural and horticultural pursuits, being engaged in farming
and in fruit raising with good success. He is still living in Idaho, but his
wife has passed away.

William S. Ross acquired a public school education in Missouri and was a youth
of fourteen when he accompanied his parents to the west. Aiding in the operation
of the home farm in Idaho, he early became familiar with the duties and labors
that fall to the lot of the agriculturist and he remained the active assistant
of his father until thirty-one years of age. The year 1907 witnessed his arrival
in Kittitas county, Washington, where he purchased one hundred and fifteen acres
of land but subsequently sold forty acres of the property. He disposed of the
entire farm three years later and purchased a tract of one hundred and sixteen
acres near Thrall, on which he resided for seven years. On the expiration of
that period, in 1917, he again acquired possession of his former place of
seventy-five acres, situated five miles west of Ellensburg, where he has since
made his home. His holdings now comprise one hundred and ninety-one acres of
rich and productive land and he is successfully engaged in the raising of hay
and grain as well as stock, including horses. His farming interests are
conducted along progressive and modern lines and prosperity is attending his
well directed labors.

On the 13th of November, 1907, Mr. Ross was united in marriage to Miss Norna
Roth, a native of Hancock county, Illinois, and a daughter of August and Lucy
Roth, who were pioneer settlers of Idaho. Mr. and Mrs. Ross now have three
children: Delta, Anise and William Edward.

Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Ross has supported the
men and measures of the republican party and his cooperation can ever be counted
upon to further measures and movements looking to the general welfare. By the
able management of his business affairs he has won the proud American title of
self-made man and his career has ever been such as to elicit the esteem and
regard of those who know him.

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Submitted to the Washington Bios Project in January 2008 by Jeffrey L. Elmer.
Submitter has no additional information about the subject of this article.