George Allen Ross, son of Adam Ross, was born November 10, 1870, at Troy, New York. His education was obtained in the common and high schools of Troy, after which he entered the Albany College of Pharmacy. He was registered under the laws governing pharmacists in New York state in 1895. He was with Edward F. Leahy, druggist, of Troy, for nearly five years, then with his successor until 1890, when he removed to Hoosick Falls. He here entered the employ of Henry W. Stone, with whom he remained as prescription clerk and assistant for five years. In 1895 he purchased the drug business of Henry W. Stone and opened under the firm name of Geo. A. Ross & Company, continuing under that name until 1900, when he purchased his partner's interest, and since then has conducted the business as George A. Ross. In 1905 he added to his store in Hoosick Falls the adjoining building, which he converted into a confectionery and ice cream store, wholesale and retail. He has been very successful. He was appointed by Colonel Lloyd and Captain F. R. Hudson, hospital steward of the Second Regiment, New York National Guard, with headquarters at Troy. He held this position four years, seven months, when he received an honorable discharge from the service. He had been active in the National Guard for several years, being on duty during the trolley strike of 1903 at Glens Falls, New York. He is an active Republican. He served as auditor of the Hoosick Falls village corporation from 1899 until July, 1910, when he resigned. He is a member of the Presbyterian church, of Rensselaer Lodge, No. 400, Free and Accepted Masons, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and for four years (1896 to 1900) secretary of the Hoosick Falls Lodge, No. 178; member of the Hoosick Club since 1895, and of the Country Club, member of the New York State Pharmaceutical Association, and of the Ice Cream Men's Association of New York state.
Mr. Ross married, June 14, 1899, Mrs. Josephine (Burtt) Cusson, daughter of Rowland Thomas Burtt, of Greenburg, New Hampshire. Rowland Thomas Burtt was born December 2, 1821, died February 4, 1907, at Hoosick Falls. He was a well-known musician and dancing master, and for fifty years leader of Burtt & Whitcomb's Orchestra, of Cambridge, New York. He was a most excellent instructor and was well known and highly regarded all through that section of New York state. He was an accomplished performer on the violin and composer of a great amount of the music which was played by his own orchestra exclusively. In addition to his musical engagements he was an expert grainer and painter. In middle life his sight became impaired by cataracts forming, and at the age of fifty-seven he became totally blind. He continued playing in public until he was seventy-five, rendering his selections from memory. Until he was eighty-five he retained his musical skill and kept up his playing, although not appearing in public. His musical memory was wonderful, having a repertoire of sixty quadrilles and about thirty other compositions for dance and concert that he recited from memory without a discordant note, excelling in dance and popular music, in which he delighted. After his dissolution of interest with Mr. Whitcomb, the organization was known as Burtt's Band. He removed to Hoosick Falls in 1899. He married Caroline Adelia, born in Pittstown, New York, daughter of Samuel S. Hastings, born April 25, 1812, at Pittstown, died June 20, 1887. He was a cooper and lived most of his life at Arlington, Vermont. He married Clarissa Baird, born 1814, at Allenville, Dutchess county, New York, died at Shushan, New York, May 6, 1862. They had thirteen children, of whom Caroline A. was the sixth. A son, Zechariah Hastings, enlisted in Company E, One Hundred and Twenty-third Regiment, New York Volunteers, and died in an army hospital. Another son, Abraham B. Hastings, was sent home from the army and died. He was a member of the same regiment as his brother and father, who came through unscathed. The Hastings are of English descent, the father of Samuel S. having been born in England. Mrs. Josephine B. Ross is a skilled performer on the b-flat cornet, having been playing since the age of seven years. Prior to her marriage she toured the United States in concert accompanied by her brothers, Neil and William. She now plays only in private or occasionally in church. All the children of Rowland T. Burtt inherited musical talent and are performers of high merit. Rowland T. Burtt was a son of Thomas Burtt, of New Hampshire, also a noted musician and violin performer. He owned a genuine Cremona violin that is now in possession of a great-grandson, Harold John Cusson. The instrument has been in use by each generation owning it and it is of rare tone and beauty. Josephine Burtt married (first) December 16, 1884, John Lewis Cusson, born in Canada, November 19, 1858, died at Glens Falls, New York, October 24, 1892, of French-Canadian parents. He was a professor of music, taught both vocal and orchestral music; was also a composer and performer on the violin. Of the four children of the marriage three died in infancy. Harold John Cusson, the only surviving child, was born in Newark, New Jersey, April 17, 1887. He is now (1910) in the senior class at Albany College of Pharmacy. He was a student at Troy Conservatory of Music four years under Professor Robert E. Foote, and for two years under instruction on the violin with Professor Harris, of Boston. He is the leader of his own orchestra, located at Hoosick Falls and very popular over a large circuit. He owns the Cremona used by his great-grandfather, also the violin (a Stainer made in 1775) used by his father, Mr. Cusson. He is an expert performer and does much concert work besides leading his orchestra.