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Died:
In the year 1845, John, Joseph and Andrew Ross, three of the sons of Min. William Ross, a Methodist preacher of Tuscarawas County, Ohio, came to Illinois and settled in Ohio Township, in the northern part of Bureau County. These sons were following in the religious footsteps of their father. John was an ordained minister, while Joseph and Andrew were class-leaders in the Methodist Protestant Church.
Before leaving Ohio, John had become somewhat skeptical about the Scripturalness of some of the teachings of the church of which they were members. In their new home the three brothers began a careful and sincere study of the Scriptures to satisfy themselves on these questions. This investigation led them to leave the Methodist Church, to be immersed and to identify themselves with those who desired to be known as Christians only--rejecting human creeds and accepting the Bible as the sole Scriptural guide.
They began preaching these truths from house to house, and soon organized the Ohio Township Church of Christ. About this time, John Ross built a new barn, in which meetings were held for a time. Here George McManis and Minister Parkerson helped them in protracted meetings. Later, the congregation met in the new schoolhouse. Afterward, a chapel was built on the farm of John Ross. These Disciples met with opposition from their religious neighbors. Hence, they were called upon to defend their teaching. This made them thorough Bible students and able exponents of the word of God.
John Ross moved to Pine Creek, in Ogle County, where he served the church. Later, he moved to Alma, Illinois., where he resided till his death. Thereafter, the chief responsibility devolved upon Andrew. He continued to look after his large farm through the week, preach for the congregation on Sundays, and usually invited a large number of his hearers to go home with him to dinner. He reared a large family of his own and some adopted children besides. He was diligent in business, generous with his accumulations, fervent in Spirit and walked in fear of the Lord and the high favor of men. At ninety his heart rests upon the divine promises and his eye is fixed upon the eternal city. He is of the class that has greatly enriched the world.