John Ross (businessman)

Ross had been a member of the local Volunteer Company since its formation in 1859, and had attained the rank of Colour-Sergeant by his death.

Ross died suddenly of a heart attack on Sunday 26 November 1876, and was interred with full military honours.

His funeral was a grand occasion with a full march (followed by several carriages and a band) through the town and a gun salute.

Captain Nimmo of the Volunteers commented: We have lost one of our best – one whose unerring eye, steady hand, and unfaltering heart have often helped us on to victory in many a bloodless encounter – one whose enthusiasm has animated us to continued zeal in the discharge of our duties as Volunteers, and whose genial presence on our more festive occasions, when with song or story he has cheered and charmed us, will long be missed and mourned by every member of this Company.At only 45, Ross's death came as a great shock to the family, and his wife Agnes, was left to bring up his two sons and three daughters.

Only one of the five children later married (Jean Ross to William Forbes), in order to save money, and as a result the family was comfortably placed in their later years.