George Ross (farmer)
New Zealand farmer and local politician / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
George Arthur Emilius Ross (some sources say Aemilius, Æmilius,[1] or Emileus;[lower-alpha 1] 1829 – 23 November 1876) was a New Zealand farmer and provincial politician. A cultured and well-educated man, he suffered a breakdown while at Oxford University and relocated to Christchurch for health reasons before he finished his degree. After a short period as a cadet to learn the basics of sheep farming, he became a major land owner. He was an elected member of the Canterbury Provincial Council (1858–1861; 1862–1865) for the rural Rakaia electorate and was on the Canterbury Provincial Executive Council on a number of occasions (1859; 1863–1867) including nearly two years as provincial treasurer. Well-liked as an individual, he was chaotic as a businessman and went bankrupt after a harsh winter in 1867 that caused great loss of stock. He suffered a mental breakdown and disappeared from public life thereafter, with his young wife, Sibella, sustaining the family by running a school that her parents had financed for them. Ross died young aged 48 and his wife outlived him by five decades, bringing up a family of eight children by herself. The West Coast town of Ross was named after him during his lifetime.
George Ross | |
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Canterbury Provincial treasurer | |
In office 1 April 1865 – January 1867 | |
Preceded by | George Sale |
Canterbury Provincial Council (Rakaia electorate) | |
In office 20 July 1858 – 24 July 1861 | |
Preceded by | Charles Haslewood |
Succeeded by | John Studholme |
In office 28 April 1862 – 1 April 1865 | |
Preceded by | John Studholme |
Succeeded by | Francis Stewart |
Personal details | |
Born | George Arthur Emilius Ross 1829 England |
Died | 23 November 1876 (aged 48) Montreal Street, Christchurch Central City |
Resting place | St Peter's Church graveyard |
Spouse | Sibella Ross (née Wilson) |
Children | eight |
Occupation | Farmer, politician |
Portfolio | Provincial treasurer |