It is our painful duty to record this week the death of one for whom fitting words of tribute and respect fail us. Columbus McDonough Ross, M. D., was born February 8, 1833 in Giles County Tennessee.  There and in Illinois he spent most of his young manhood, coming to Missouri in 1856, and settling first in Greene County and then in Rolla, and later Houston.  In 1857 he married Matilda A. Cloud and to this union were born two children, Jemima Olevia, now Mrs. Sam O. FINDLEY, and Beauregard Ross. Mrs. Ross only lived a few years and the Doctor married in 1864 Susan Orlena McClary. A son and daughter were born to this union, C. M. Ross Jr. and Susan Orlena, now Mrs. Thos. V. RAGLAND.  the second Mrs. Ross died and in 1871 he led to the alter MRS. Mary Jane McCLELLAN who together with the four children survive.

Between the years 1854 and 1856 while Dr. Ross was residing in Butler County Illinois, he united with the Odd Fellows’ order and later in Marshfield, Mo., with the Masons, to which orders he belonged till his death.

March 4, 1866, he graduated from the St. Louis medical college --doctor of medicine and continued his practice up till 1885 or 1886 when he retired and engaged in mercantile business.

He became a member of the M.E. church South, November 1, 1888 and from that date lived a most exemplary Christian life.  It is remarked by all that knew him that the change was radical and his later years were in strong contrast to his former years.

In September last he took charge of the TEXAS COUNTY STAR, and as editor and business manager was building up a most worthy paper, but failing health compelled his retirement. The last of October he was confined to his bed by the dreadful disease ECZEMA which broke out in the side of his neck and eating through into his throat prevented chewing and swallowing.  For nearly three months he lay in a precarious condition, attended constantly by members of the Odd Fellows Order, sympathizing friends and relatives.  To his faithful wife who watched night and day at his side, refusing food and sleep, is due all honor and respect, and sympathy. January 20, 1896 at 3 p.m. his hands forgot their cunning, his eyes became glassy and Dr. Ross was no more.

On Wednesday near the hour of noon the corpse was borne between long ranks of Masons and Odd Fellows, their pall bearers being members of both fraternities, into the Southern Methodist Church and appropriate memorial services were conducted by Rev. FREER pastor, who was followed by some of the Doctor’s life associates in voluntary tributes of respect to his memory.  At the cemetery the Masons and Odd Fellows took charge of the remains, and with their impressive ceremonies were laid away to wait the general resurrection.

To sum up his character and to give a faithful account of his long and useful life would be a task for a wiser pen.  In every department of his life. whether as Physician, Journalist, Politician, County Clerk, Merchant, in home life, in social life, in business life, in religious life he was the same unswerving devotee to principle.  He had admirers and what is more honorable, he had friends by the hundred.  A staunch leader of the Democratic party in his county, he merited their appreciation and received their support in two elections when he was elevated to the important positions of county Clerk and Coroner.  As a Christian gentleman and progressive citizen he was esteemed on every hand.

NOTE: Dr. Columbus Ross was the son of Elam Ross and Dorcas VanSandt Ross, of Giles Tenn. His siblings were William, Endiana, Tennessee, Missouri, John, Narcissus, Thomas Sidney, and Dr. James B. Ross.

From the Texas County Star, 24 January 1896
Submitted by Shirley Ross