The Mayor James H. Ross Collection documents Ross's political career from 1933-1937. James Ross, a businessman and civic leader, served as mayor of Lancaster from 1934-1938. The collection consists primarily of correspondence and a scrapbook. The letters are related to his mayoral election and responsibilities, the James H. Ross Ready to Wear Department Store, and personal matters. The scrapbook, compiled by his wife, contains information about his political career, the department store, and other local merchants, and provides a good background on the housing issues that threatened Lancaster City. The collection gives a fragmented picture of life in Lancaster in the 1930s, including commercial transactions, the Depression, religious charitable organizations, politics, and the Democratic Party.
Admin/Biographical History
James H. Ross was born in Green County, Ohio. When he was six, Ross's family moved to Monroe County, West Virginia where he attended school until he was seventeen. His family moved back to Ohio where he finished his schooling at Bowersville High School. After graduating, Ross moved to Lancaster, Pennsylvania and began working for M. T. Garvin & Co. Ross left M. T. Garvin & Co. in 1928 and established his own store, James H. Ross Ready to Wear Department Store, in December of that same year. James H. Ross was elected Mayor of Lancaster as a Democrat in 1934.
Please make an appointment with the Research Center staff at Research@LancasterHistory.org to view the scrapbook.
Copyright
Collection may not be photocopied. Please direct questions to Research Center Staff at research@lancasterhistory.org.
Permission for reproduction and/or publication must be obtained in writing from LancasterHistory.
Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Other Numbers
MG-58
Classification
MG0058
Description Level
Fonds
Custodial History
Scrapbook, Career of James Ross, Former Merchant and Mayor, was previously housed in the Scrapbook Collection, Book 121. Scrapbook, Career of James Ross, Former Merchant and Mayor, was cataloged and preserved with funding from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, ME60112, 2007-2008.
Photograph- Seven men standing on platform of a railroad car with President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. From left are: George Earle, Hon. Joseph Guffy, Mayor James H. Ross, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, James Hale Steinman, and Col. E. M. Watson.
Photograph- Seven men standing on platform of a railroad car with President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. From left are: George Earle, Hon. Joseph Guffy, Mayor James H. Ross, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, James Hale Steinman, and Col. E. M. Watson.
Description
Seven men standing on platform of a railroad car with President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. From left are: George Earle, Hon. Joseph Guffy, Mayor James H. Ross, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, James Hale Steinman, and Col. E. M. Watson.
William M. Meredith, Philadelphia. Died while a member of legislature, 1873.
Provenance
Red leather album compiled by Henry Carter. Contains cabinet cards and carte de visites of the members of the Pennsylvania State Legislature who met in 1873 to revise the state constitution. Album was given by Henry Carter's daughter, Kate, to George W. Hensel, Jr. Mr. Hensel's wife donated the album to LCHS.
John H. Walker, Erie, Republican. Died January 1875.
Provenance
Red leather album compiled by Henry Carter. Contains cabinet cards and carte de visites of the members of the Pennsylvania State Legislature who met in 1873 to revise the state constitution. Album was given by Henry Carter's daughter, Kate, to George W. Hensel, Jr. Mr. Hensel's wife donated the album to LCHS.
Malcolm Hay, Pittsburgh, Democrat. Died October 31, 1885.
Provenance
Red leather album compiled by Henry Carter. Contains cabinet cards and carte de visites of the members of the Pennsylvania State Legislature who met in 1873 to revise the state constitution. Album was given by Henry Carter's daughter, Kate, to George W. Hensel, Jr. Mr. Hensel's wife donated the album to LCHS.
Samuel Dimmich, Susquehanna County, Republican. Died as Attorney General, 1875.
Provenance
Red leather album compiled by Henry Carter. Contains cabinet cards and carte de visites of the members of the Pennsylvania State Legislature who met in 1873 to revise the state constitution. Album was given by Henry Carter's daughter, Kate, to George W. Hensel, Jr. Mr. Hensel's wife donated the album to LCHS.
Red leather album compiled by Henry Carter. Contains cabinet cards and carte de visites of the members of the Pennsylvania State Legislature who met in 1873 to revise the state constitution. Album was given by Henry Carter's daughter, Kate, to George W. Hensel, Jr. Mr. Hensel's wife donated the album to LCHS.
William D. Baker, Philadelphia, Republican. Died in 1876.
Provenance
Red leather album compiled by Henry Carter. Contains cabinet cards and carte de visites of the members of the Pennsylvania State Legislature who met in 1873 to revise the state constitution. Album was given by Henry Carter's daughter, Kate, to George W. Hensel, Jr. Mr. Hensel's wife donated the album to LCHS.
