Jonathan Ross

Jonathan Ross (April 30, 1826 – February 23, 1905) was an American politician, lawyer and judge from Vermont. He served as chief justice of the Vermont Supreme Court (1890–1899) and briefly as a United States Senator from Vermont (1899–1900).

Early life Ross was born in Waterford, Vermont, on April 30, 1826, the son of Royal Ross and Eliza (Mason) Ross. Ross attended the public schools and St. Johnsbury Academy. He studied law in the Chelsea office of former Congressman William Hebard, and later with Charles Davis of Danville and William A. Fletcher of Michigan; he was admitted to the bar in 1856.

Career Ross was Treasurer of Passumpsic Savings Bank from 1858 to 1868.

In December 1898, U.S. Senator Justin S. Morrill died. Governor Edward Curtis Smith offered to appoint Benjamin F. Fifield to the vacancy, and Fifield tentatively accepted. Several days later, Fifield declined, and Smith then offered the appointment to Ross, who accepted. He served from January 11, 1899, to October 18, 1900, when a successor was elected. While in the Senate, he was chairman of the United States Senate Committee to Examine Branches of the Civil Service (Fifty-sixth Congress) until October 18, 1900, when he was replaced at Special Election. He was not an active candidate for reelection in 1900. In November 1900, he succeeded David J. Foster as chairman of the state board of railroad commissioners, and he served until being succeeded by Fuller C. Smith in November 1902.

Death and burial Ross retired to his home in St. Johnsbury, where he resided until his death. Ross is interred at Mount Pleasant Cemetery in St. Johnsbury, Vermont. In 1887, he married Helen Daggert, and they remained married until her death.