| The first map of Mansfield drawn by M.L.
Clark in 1856 shows the site of the Andrew J. Ross house at what is now
18 N. Main St. The land upon which the house is located was part
of the 200 acres sold by John and Peter Kelts to Asa Mann in 1824.
It was cleared by Mann in 1825-26, and the house was probably built by
Ross in the 1840's.
A.J. Ross came to the area known locally
as Mann's field, Richmond Township in 1835 from Bradford County, PA.
Mr. Ross was a prominent businessman and with the partnership formed with
Philip Williams, they were engaged in nearly every branch of business,
and wielded a controlling influence in the monetary affairs of the village
and surrounding township. In may, 1872, they formed the banking business
which is today the First Citizens National Bank. Mr. Ross died in
August, 1875, and is buried in Oakwood Cemetery.
The Ross House was sold in 1892 to Dr.
Fred Elliot. Dr. Elliot hired midwives to help pregnant women during
childbirth, and many people still live in this area who were born in the
house during the earlier part of the last century.
In 1937, the home was sold to Wilford and
Genevieve Shaw. Wilford had purchased a funeral business from his
uncle, Llewellyn Shaw, directly across Main St. where Ten West Espresso
is currently located. He moved the funeral business into the Ross
house and continued to operate there until the time of his death.
Following Wilford's death in 1945, Genevieve continued to operated the
funeral business until 1972.
At that time, the business was sold to
C. Brainard and Lydia Kuhl. They continued the operation of the funeral
home until 1985, when it was purchased by Gary and Tina Wilston.
The Wilston's are privileged to carry on such a long tradition of service
to the community, and are extremely proud of the history and tradition
of both their home and their funeral business. |
