Career
Born in Raritan Township, New Jersey, Ross received a practical English education and engaged in the transportation of freight by water and in the coal business with his father. Ross was elected as a Democrat to Congress in 1874, serving from 1875 to 1883, being unsuccessful for reelection in 1882. There, he served as chairman of the Committee on Militia from 1877 to 1881.
After leaving Congress, Ross was a delegate to the Democratic National Conventions in 1884, 1888 and 1892 and engaged in the wholesale and retail coal business.
He died in New Brunswick, New Jersey on February 22, 1903 and was interred in Elmwood Cemetery in New Brunswick.