Transcription contributed by Arne H Trelvik 23 October 2005

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JAMES W. ROSS, farmer; P. O. Springfield. The subject of this brief sketch was born in Hamilton Township, this county, Jan. 29, 1838. He received a common school education in the schools of the rural districts of his own neighborhood, which, at that time, were of a rude and limited character. He chose the honorable occupation of farmer, and at the age of 22 years was united in marriage to Mary E. Lever, a native of Hamilton Co., Ohio, born Feb. 9, 1837. They are the parents of three children—Harlan A. born April 27, 1862; Sarah E., born Nov. 9, 1863; and Laura E., born August 26, 1864. Mr. Ross is of exemplary character, and he and his wife are worthy members of the M. E. Church; scrupulously honest in all his dealings, he is universally respected as one of the worthy citizens of the community in which he resides. He has contributed much to the good of society and the development of the country. He is also an ardent I. O. O. F. of Maineville Lodge, No. 557, of which he has been a member for some twenty-two years. He espoused the Union cause during the late war, but, although only in the pursuit of the guerilla Morgan for a few days, contributed in many ways to the success of the war. A brief history of his parents is given elsewhere in this work. Mrs. Ross is the daughter of John and Eliza (Riddle) Lever; the former a native of Clermont Co., Ohio, born Dec. 26, 1810; the latter of Hamilton Co., Ohio, born Jan. 14, 1815. He died August, 1879, and she July 18 of the same year.