Ross Family in St. Helens

The Ross families lived in St. Helens from the late 1800's through the 1950s. During that time, especially during the early part of the 1900's, they were a important and influential part of the community. Thanks to the generosity of the family we have collected a number of photos, stories and artifacts which together help us better understand life in and around St. Helens during those times.

The Ross and Muckle families were connected financially as well as through marriage. Matilda Muckle Ross inherited considerable wealth from her uncles Charles and George Muckle. Her husband, Dr. Edwin Ross, served as a director for both the Columbia County Bank which his brother William founded, and the First National Bank of St. Helens. They had extensive holdings in and around St. Helens and held notes either directly or indirectly through the bank on many properties. The other Ross family members were active in the community as well, starting and operating the local hospital and providing funding for church construction. They wrote to one another frequently, especially during World War I, and thanks to the preservation of the letters, we have a better understanding of how the community responded to the war effort and the pandemic. The late Verlene Ross was instrumental in our acquisition of these materials.

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