Family tradition is that he was related to Betsy Ross and his motherwa s a Ross but the connection has not been verified.
At census time on 6/1/1900 he was living next door to his father witht he family of Uncle Austin Van Gundy. Perhaps he and the newstep-mothe r didn't get along?
He was a "self-made" man according to grandson Christopher,establishin g a general contracting business during the depression andbuilt many o f the schools and buildings in Lancaster, OH.
He registered for the draft on 9/12/1918 while living at 615 NColumbus S t in Lancaster, Fairfield Co, OH. He verified his birthdate and said h e was a corporation contractor. He gave wife Florenceas next of kin a t the same address. He was medium height, mediumbuild, with blue eyes a nd light hair, according to the Registrar.
