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By Chester P. Bailey
Typed for Tri-County website by Pat SMITH Raymond. Reprinted with permission of Chester P. Bailey
The first map of Mansfield drawn by M. L. Clark dated 1856, shows the site of Andrew J. Ross house. It is located on the east side of N. Main Street between Wellsboro and Church (Sherwood) Streets.
- J. Ross came to the village forming in the area known locally as Mann’s Field, Richmond Township in 1835. He was born in Pike, Bradford County, February 28, 1827. He died August 1875 in Mansfield. He was buried in Oakwood Cemetery.
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 him in 1825-26. It was probably built by Ross in the 1840’s.
Mr. Ross married Miss Sarah McKeine on April 22, 1856. She died July 9, 1882. They raised two sons, Charles and Edward.
Andrew Ross was a prominent business man 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.
Charles Ross graduated from the Mansfield State Normal School and joined
his father in the banking business. He became the sole owner of the bank after
the death of his father and Mr. Williams. He retired from the bank in 1954.
Edward Ross graduated from the Mansfield Normal School and studied Law.
In 1889 he established the Ross Cigar Company in Mansfield.
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Mr. Ross served on the Borough Council four separate years, 1864, 67, 72, 73.
Article Below by Gary Wilston, Sept. 2002, Photo by Joyce M. Tice Nov. 2002
| A Mansfield History Minute Reprinted from Wellsboro Gazette with
permission of Gary Wilston
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 Street. The land upon which
the house is located was part of the 200 acres sold by John & 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.
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In 1937 the home was sold to Wilford & Genevieve Shaw. Wilford had
purchased a funeral business from his uncle, Llewellyn Shaw, directly across
Main St. where Ten 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 operate the funeral
business until 1972. At that time the business was sold to C. Brainard & Lydia
Kuhl. They continued the operation of the funeral home until 1985, when it was
purchased by Gary & 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.
Addendum by Joyce M. Tice - Early in the twentieth century, the undertaking business was an outgrowth of the furniture business. In the case of the Shaw business, it too started as a furniture business, adding undertaking (and coffins) as a sideline. Eventually the two segments split. The one became VanNoyFurniture and the other became Shaw Funeral parlor. After the death of Wilford, Genevieve entered a partnership with Bucky Robena and operated for many years as Shaw and Robena Funeral Home