For almost a half century James Ross was intimately associated with the growth and development of Canada and was an active factor in establishing, building and promoting many of the leading national and municipal railways of the country. It was under him that Sir William Mackenzie started his career and subsequently he cooperated with him in various enterprises throughout the world. He was also a long-time associate of Sir Sandford Fleming, Sir William Van Horne, Sir Thomas Shaughnessy and Lord Strathcona, more particularly in the ’80s, in the building of the Canadian Pacific Railway. He was also actively interested in the executive control of the Montreal and Toronto street railways from 1892. The extent and importance of his business interests and investments made him therefore a most prominent factor in the upbuilding and development of the country and his name is inseparably interwoven with the history of Canada. Mr. Ross was a son of the late Captain John Ross, merchant and ship owner, and Mary B. (McKedie) Ross, formerly of Newcastle-on-Tyne, England. His birth occurred in the year 1848 at Cromarty, Scotland, and after attending Inverness Academy in his native land he continued his studies in England. His initial step in the business world brought him into connection with railway, harbor and water works in Great Britain. Following his arrival in America he was appointed, in 1870, to the position of resident engineer of the Ulster & Delaware Railway, of which road he afterward became chief engineer. In 1872 he acted as resident engineer of the Wisconsin Central Railway and subsequently held a similar position with the Lake Ontario Shore road. It was not long before his efficiency as an engineer won him wide recognition and he was offered the position of chief engineer of the Victoria Railway, of which he subsequently became general manager. He was one of the most successful railway builders and owners in the Dominion, the construction of the Canadian Pacific over the Rockies being due to his power of organization and engineering ability, and when Sir Donald Smith, later Lord Strathcona, drove the last spike of the road, no one of that historic group held a higher place in public regard in Canada than Mr. Ross. [Illustration: JAMES ROSS]