F. Clair Ross
Franklin Clair Ross[1] (January 3, 1895 – January 17, 1956)[2] was a Democratic Party politician and lawyer from Pennsylvania. He served as the 60th Treasurer of Pennsylvania from 1937 to 1941, as Auditor General of Pennsylvania from 1941 to 1945, and on the Superior Court of Pennsylvania from 1945 until his death in 1956.
Biography
[edit]The son of Clement V. and Maud McElwaine, Ross grew up in Sandy Lake, Mercer County, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Grove City College in 1914 and afterwards taught at Derry High School in Washington County.[2] A veteran of World War I, he served with the United States Army Signal Corps as an aviator.[3]
Ross graduated from Columbia Law School, studying under future U.S. Supreme Court Justice Harlan F. Stone, and was admitted to the Butler County Pennsylvania Bar in 1924. He served as an attorney at Brandon, Brandon, & Ross before entering political life.[1] An active Democrat, Ross was appointed as deputy attorney general in the administration of Governor George Earle. In 1936, Ross was elected the 60th Pennsylvania Treasurer, and in 1940 he won a term as Pennsylvania Auditor General. After a protracted primary battle, Ross was nominated as the Democratic candidate for governor in 1942, but he was defeated by Edward Martin.[4] In 1944, Ross won a seat on a seat on the Pennsylvania Superior Court, defeating former governor Arthur James.[5] He suffered a heart attack in 1948[6] and died of a heart-related complications shortly after leaving a court session at the Philadelphia City Hall on January 17, 1956. He was survived by his wife, Carrie E. Bennett, and two daughters.[2]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "F. Clair Ross". Historical Society of the Superior Court of Pennsylvania. Retrieved October 22, 2024.
- ^ a b c "F. Clair Ross was Mercer Co. Native who Achieved Success in State Government Circles". The Record-Argus. January 18, 1956. p. 3. Retrieved October 22, 2024.
- ^ "Clair Ross, senator Davis may seek governor's post". The Beaver County Times. December 26, 1940.
- ^ "Clair Ross, senator Davis may seek governor's post". The Beaver County Times. December 26, 1940.
- ^ "Historical List of Superior Court Judges". Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania.
- ^ "The News-Herald from Franklin, Pennsylvania on November 22, 1948 · Page 7". The News-Herald. November 22, 1948. p. 7.
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