John William Ross

For the Australian rules footballer, see Jack Ross (footballer, born 1895).

John William Ross (March 9, 1878 – July 9, 1925) was a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee.

John William Ross
Judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee
In office May 31, 1921 – July 9, 1925
Appointed by	Warren G. Harding
Preceded by	John E. McCall
Succeeded by	Harry B. Anderson
Personal details
Born	John William Ross (1878-03-09)March 9, 1878 Hardin County, Tennessee
Died	July 9, 1925(1925-07-09) (aged 47) Madison County, Tennessee
Education	Cumberland School of Law (LL.B.)

Education and career

Born on March 9, 1878, in Hardin County, Tennessee, Ross received a Bachelor of Laws from Cumberland School of Law (then part of Cumberland University, now part of Samford University) in 1900. Ross was in private practice in Savannah, Tennessee from 1900 to 1913, and was a Chancellor of the 8th Chancery District of Tennessee from 1913 to 1921.^[1]

Federal judicial service

On May 26, 1921, Ross was nominated by President Warren G. Harding to a seat on the United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee vacated by Judge John E. McCall. Ross was confirmed by the United States Senate on May 31, 1921, and received his commission the same day. Ross served in that capacity until his death on July 9, 1925.^[1]

Ross was indicted on forgery and embezzlement charges on July 8, 1925, in connection with the failure of the Peoples Saving Bank of Jackson, Tennessee. He died early the next morning when his automobile plunged off a bridge and into a creek. The coroner ruled his death an accident.^[2]

Personal

With his wife Sara, Ross purchased the Ross-Sewell House in Jackson, Tennessee in 1920.^[3]

References

1. John William Ross at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a publication of the Federal Judicial Center.
2. "Indicted Judge Dies in Plunge of Auto; Judge Ross of Jackson, Tenn., Is Drowned in Creek After Injuries in Fall From Bridge. Some Think it Suicide; But Coroner, After Inquiry, Calls It an Accident -- No One Saw Tragedy". The New York Times. July 10, 1925. ProQuest 103494958. Retrieved June 8, 2023 – via Internet Archive.
3. "National Register of Historic Places--Nomination Form: Ross-Sewell House". National Park Service. Retrieved September 15, 2015.

Sources

• John William Ross at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a publication of the Federal Judicial Center.

Legal offices
Preceded by John E. McCall	Judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee 1921–1925	Succeeded by Harry B. Anderson