Vermont Historical Society

ROSS, Jonathan, a Senator from Vermont; born in Waterford, Caledonia County, Vt., April 30, 1826; attended the public schools and St. Johnsbury (Vt.) Academy; graduated from Dartmouth College, Hanover, N.H., 1851; principal of the Chelsea and Craftsbury Academies 1851-1856; studied law; admitted to the bar in 1856 and practiced in St. Johnsbury until 1870; State’s attorney for Caledonia County 1862-1863; appointed a member of the State board of education 1866-1870; member, State house of representatives 1865-1867; member, State senate 1870; judge of the supreme court of Vermont 1870-1890; chief justice of the State of Vermont 1890-1899; appointed as a Republican to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Justin S. Morrill and served from January 11, 1899, to October 18, 1900, when a successor was elected; was not an active candidate for reelection in 1900; chairman, Committee to Examine Branches of the Civil Service (Fifty-sixth Congress); chairman of the board of State railroad commissioners 1900-1902; died in St. Johnsbury, Vt., February 23, 1905; interment in Mount Pleasant Cemetery.