Summary
Daughters of John Ross with their Aunt Jane McMahon is believed to have been taken around when the youngest was around five years old. That would date the photo as circa 1902. From left to right, it is believed to be Barbara Christina Ross (6), Helen Mary Ross (10), Jane Curtain McMahon (33), Mary Edith Ross (5) and Gladys Jane Ross (9).
John Ross (born 1875) was head teacher at Whittlesea State School 1898-1908. He and his wife Mary Ann (nee McMahon) had five daughters: Helen Mary (1892-1978), Gladys Jane (1893-1969), John Charkes (1894-1972), Barbara Christina (1896-1978) and Mary Edith (1897-1989). Mary died aged 38 in 1897. Her younger sister Jane then looked after the family. All of the daughters became teachers. John returned to Whittlesea for the centenary celebrations in 1937.
Born 1875, John Ross was the eldest son of David Ross of Albert Park. He married Mary Anne McMahon, eldest daughter of John Curtain and Jane McMahon, at St Joseph’s, Newtown, Sydney, NSW on 30 Dec 1890.
John and Mary Anne Ross had five children:
• Helen Mary Ross (8372/1892, Sunbury – 1978)
• Gladys Jane Ross (25092/1893, Netherby – 1969)
• John Charles Ross (23098/1894, Netherby – 1973)
• Barbara Christina Ross (55/1896, Albert Park – 1978)
• Mary Edith Ross (21532/1897, Netherby – 1989)
Mary Ross died at Netherby, Victoria in 1897 at age 38, most likely during childbirth. It appears her younger sister Jane Curtain McMahon (1869-1939) took on responsibility for the care of John and his young family.
John Ross was appointed Head Teacher at Whittlesea in 1898, a position he held until he was promoted to Warragul State School in 1908. He was clearly a highly respected teacher and member of the community. He was entertained at a smoke night prior to his departure and presented with a purse of sovereigns.
In 1920 John was again promoted, this time to Eaglehawk. Again, the local community made cause to celebrate him as well as his sister-in-law, Miss Jane McMahon who had been President of the Red Cross there, working for the interests of the soldiers. Apparently, he had difficulty initially locating a house in Bendigo for Miss MacMahon and his children.
From Electoral Roll records (via Ancestry) we see that all of John’s daughters followed him into the teaching profession and it appears, never married.
In 1915 at Warragul, Gladys Jane is recorded at Victoria Street as a teacher along with John Ross. Also present is Jane MacMahon (home duties).
In 1921 and 1922 John Ross is recorded at Belle Vue, Forest St, Bendigo along with Gladys Jane Ross (teacher) and Jane Curtain McMahon (home duties).
In 1925 the family is living at 293 Swan Street, Richmond; John Ross (teacher), Helen Mary (teacher), Gladys Jane (teacher), Barbara Christina (teacher) and Jane McMahon (home duties). Also 1927 however Helen Mary not recorded. John Charles Ross is listed as a medical practitioner at Bendigo Hospital.
In 1928 the family moved to 29 Auburn Road, Kooyong; John Ross (teacher), Gladys Jane (teacher), Barbara Christina (teacher) and Jane McMahon (home duties). By 1937 they are still at the same address only Helen Mary is present again. It was in 1937 that John was invited back to Whittlsea school as part of the centenary celebrations.
In 1943, John and all four daughters are still living at 29 Auburn Road, Kooyong and all still listed as teachers, Jane is no longer recorded as she died in 1939 (Fitzroy 1177/1939).
In 1949, all four daughters remain together at 29 Auburn Road, Kooyong, all still teachers. John is no longer listed. It appears he died between 1943 and 1949. They are still recorded at the same location in 1954 and up to at least 1968.
Sources
1908 ‘The Evelyn Observer’, Evelyn Observer and Bourke East Record (Vic. : 1902 – 1917), 17 January, p. 2. (MORNING.), viewed 16 Jan 2021, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article61133326
MR. JOHN ROSS. (1920, June 1). West Gippsland Gazette (Warragul, Vic. : 1898 – 1930), p. 3 (MORNING.). Retrieved January 16, 2021, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article68611994
CENTENARY OF WHITTLESEA (1937, November 9). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 – 1957), p. 12. Retrieved January 16, 2021, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article11122453
WHITTLESEA. (1905, January 6). Evelyn Observer and Bourke East Record (Vic. : 1902 – 1917), p. 2 (MORNING.). Retrieved January 16, 2021, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article61125415
WHITTLESEA’S CENTENARY (1937, November 9). The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 – 1954), p. 17. Retrieved January 16, 2021, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article205545974
Photo: Ross Family, ca 1902 Preserving the Past Collection, Yarra Plenty Regional Library
