Private Roy C. Ross was born on November 15, 1886 in O’Neill, Nebraska. He was welcomed into the world by his mother Mrs. Susie Ross Sparks and his father Charles C. Ross. Roy had three sisters, Mrs. Nelse Hogsen, Miss. Nette Ross, and Mrs. Bert Warford. He also had three brothers, Ray E. Ross, William V. and Clyde B. Ross.

 

            Roy registered for the draft on June 5, 1917. He was one of several O’Neill boys to make the supreme sacrifice in the great world war. Roy served with Company I of the Ninth Infantry, which left for France on June 30, 1918.   

            Roy C. Ross died from wounds on November 7, 1918 while serving in Argonne a forest in France.  In 1921 his body was returned to O'Neill for burial.  His funeral was held at the Knights of Columbus Hall on Sunday October 23rd, 1921. The funeral was one of the largest ever-held in O’Neill. He was the second of O’Neill’s soldiers who gave their lives to be returned form the battlefields of France. He was one of many in our community who fought for their life in battle.  He was buried in the O'Neill Cemetery. 

 

                                         From:  The Frontier Thursday October 27, 1921

                                                             O'NEILL HERO LAID TO REST

 

                                         Roy C. Ross, Who Gave His Life in France, Buried

                                                                      With Military

                                                                     Honors Sunday.

 

   Roy C. Ross, one of several O'Neill boys to make the supreme sacrifice in the great world war, was buried Sunday afternoon with highest military honors, the funeral, which was held at the Knights of Columbus Hall, being under the auspices of the American Legion and hundreds of his comrade and thousands of citizens of this city and community being present to do honor to the dead hero.  The funeral was one of the largest ever held in O'Neill.  He was the second of O'Neill's soldiers who grave (sic) their lives to be returned from the battle fields of France.

   Roy C. Ros, who was one of the first to go from this community, was the son of Mrs. Susie Ross Sparks of this city and entered the service in in (sic) September 17, 1917.  His service was with Company I of the Ninth Infantry, which left for France June 30, 1918 and was engaged in active service from that time until the signing of the armistice.  Roy was wounded in the head at the famous Battle of the Argonne, perhaps the greatest battle of all time, and died from his wounds in the Moberly hospital in France of (sic) November 7, 1918, just twenty-four years and four days old at the time of his death and was born November 15, 1895, at Anoka, Nebraska. 

   The body arrived under military escort Friday evening, from Omaha, and from that time until noon of Sunday lay in state at Biglin mortuary parlors, a guard of honor being maintained constantly night and day by his former comrades in arms, all branches of service land, water, and the air being represented.  At noon the soldier was taken to the residence of his mother to remain until the hour of the military service and shortly before 2 o'clock the flag-draped casket, on a caisson drawn by four magnificent black led horses, was escorted to the Knights of Columbus hall by members of Simonson Post, American Legion, and delegation from other posts of the county, in the uniforms of their several branches of the service, the Boy Scouts, also in uniform, and by citizens in autombiles.  The hall had been beautifully decorated with flags, cut flowers and potted plants , by the Auxiliary of the American Legion under direction of Mrs. Frank O'Connell.  The services at the hall were as follows:

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Preccessional (sic)- Mrs. Frank Lancaster.

   Song- Nintieth (sic) Psalm, read by the Rev. J.A. Hutchins

   Response- God Answers Prayer, Choir

   David's Lamentation of Saul, 2nd Samuel, 1st chapter, read by the Rev. George. Long-staff

   Anthem- Under the Flags Asleep, Choir.

   Sermion (sic)- The Rev. Geoge Long-staff

   Address- Frank Harrington, for the American Legion.

   Hymn- Oh Love That Will Not Let Me Go, Choir.

   Benediction- The Rev. W. A. Render of Valentine.

   Following the services at the hall Roy C. Ross was borne to his last resting place, in Prospect Hill cemetery, where the final service was read, a firing squad of the Legion fired the salute to the dead, and Bugler Davies softly sounded taps.  The soldiers last call.

   He leaves to survive him, his mother, Mrs. Susie Ross Sparks of this city, his father, Charles C. Ross of Poyene, Arkansas; three sisters, Mrs. Nelse Hogsen of Prongua, Canada, Miss Nette Ross of O'Neill, and Mrs. Bert Warford of Hamilton, Kansas; and three brothers, Ray E. Ross of Poyene, Arkansas, William V. and Clyde B. Ross, both of O'Neill.  The following relatives were present at the service:  Mr. and Mrs. Lorn Grady, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Grady, and Mrs. Perry Filburn, all of Spencer.

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Reprinted with permission from:  The Frontier and Holt County Independent 

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**The Roy Ross gravestone indicates that he was born in 1886.

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Special thanks to (Source: US Archive Records)