Persona

Ross, Arthur Wellington

1846-1901

Arthur Wellington Ross was born in Nairn, Ontario, on March 25, 1846; and was of Scottish ancestry. His grandfather, Arthur Ross (1776-1861), was a member of the 78th Highlanders, and served with the Duke of Wellington; likely immigrated to Canada between 1820 and 1846, and was one of the first settlers in the township of Adelaide, Middlesex County. (He also appears to have provided the inspiration for his grandson’s name). Arthur Wellington Ross began his career as a teacher, and later became inspector for public schools prior to earning a BA from the University of Toronto in 1874. Arthur married Jessie Flora Cattanach on July 30, 1873. By October of 1874, Arthur had joined his father-in-law’s firm, Crooks, Kingmill & Cattenach, as a law student. He and Jessie, together with their young son John Hugo, moved to Winnipeg in May 1877. [Jessie’s account of that trip, “Rambling Recollections,” was published in the “Women’s Edition of the Telegram”]. A second son, Donald Aynsley Ross, was born that September. Arthur joined his brother’s law firm, and was admitted to the Manitoba bar in 1878. A daughter, Gertrude, was born on May 15, 1880 but died the following year (July 8, 1881). A real estate promoter and speculator, by 1882 Ross was one of the wealthiest landowners in Winnipeg. In addition to city property, he owned most of what later became known as Fort Rouge; he speculated in Metis scrip; and owned town lots in Brandon and Edmonton, as well as rural property. He suffered financially in the 1882 real estate collapse; the Hudson’s Bay Company took him to court, and he became a topic of debate in the local press. Ross had been elected (as a Liberal) MLA in 1878, but in 1882 he resigned from the provincial legislature and was elected as a Liberal-Conservative MP for Selkirk from 1882-1896. He became involved as a defender of the CPR, and began speculating in Vancouver real estate; and effectively rebuilt his fortunes, with land holdings throughout the North-West, in various industries and resources, including mining. “In habits he was quiet, yet liberal, and very social. In all matters he was plucky and enterprising, the last two qualities being the secret of his successful career. With the public he was very popular and in social life had many warm friends.” Arthur Wellington Ross and Jessie Flora Ross divided much of their time between Ottawa, Winnipeg, and Vancouver. Ross suffered a stroke while in British Columbia in 1901, and died in Toronto while seeking medical treatment, on March 25, 1901.