His father had moved from Tennessee to Texas in 1839 and worked as a farmer.

[1] Ross practiced law in Paris and garnered a reputation as a competent lawyer, forensic speaker, and orator.

He was frequently a delegate to Democratic state conventions, having attended all but two between 1884 and 1897.

[1] The Dallas Morning News described Ross as a "free silver Democrat.

"[2] In 1895, Ross was nominated at convention to be the Democratic candidate for district 3 of the Texas Senate and was easily won the election to represent the district, succeeding Edwin L.