ALBERT F. ROSS, Clerk of Shasta County, was born near Millville, same county, June 23, 1861. His ancestors were natives of Sweden. His father, Herman F. Ross, was born in Sweden, December 24, 1833. While a boy he was in the mercantile business. In 1842 he went to England and enlisted in the English navy, and participated in the opium war with China. He afterward served on the coast of Africa, capturing slave-traders and suppressing the nefarious traffic at that time extensively engaged in; and was finally captain of a merchant vessel. He subsequently retired from the sea, settled in the State of Maine and engaged in mercantile pursuits. He was there when gold was discovered in California. In 1849 he joined the ranks of those who were seeking the new El Dorado and arrived in California in the spring of 1850. He engaged in mining near Sacramento and on the American River. In 1852 he came to Shasta County, and settled on a farm at Oak Run. He took a prominent part in opening up the country, which was a wilderness at that time, and making roads across the mountains. He was afterward engaged in teaming from Red Bluff to Susanville, at that time a profitable business. In 1867, in partnership with H.N. Wilkinson, he became the owner of a flouring-mill at Millville. They did a large business, supplying several counties of Northern California with flour and feed, until 1880. This property he still owns, but the construction of the railroad to some extent injured their business. In November, 1859, he married Elizabeth Hunt, a native of Missouri. To them were born two sons, of whom Albert F. is the older one.

Albert was educated in the public school of his native county and at Napa College, where he graduated in May, 1882. He worked in the mill with his father and learned that business, after which he spent a year in the forwarding business in Arizona. On account of ill health he returned to Millville. In 1886 Mr. Ross received the nomination for County Clerk by the Republican party, and was elected by fifty-eight majority. He served his term so satisfactorily that he was re-nominated, and at the election of November, 1888, received a majority of 455. The duties of recorder, clerk and auditor have devolved upon him. He has proved himself an efficient officer, and is ably assisted by a faithful corps of deputies.

Mr. Ross is a Royal Arch and Council Mason, and has twice been Master of the blue lodge. He is a popular Native Son of the Golden West, and is alike proud of his county and his State.

Memorial & Biographical History of Northern California, The Lewis Publishing Co., 1891
Transcribed by: Betty Wilson - August 2004