University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Archives Department.

Ross, Will, 1888-1951.

Papers, 1914-1980.

Milwaukee Manuscript Collection 111 and Milwaukee Micro Collection 55

.6 cubic ft. (1 archives box, and 1 small archives box) + 1 microfilm reel (35 mm)

ABSTRACT: Fragmentary papers of a Milwaukee, Wisconsin businessman, civic leader, and tuberculosis health care activist. Included are biographical information and microfilmed clippings; correspondence; portraits and other photographs; articles and several versions of his autobiography, I Wanted to Live, which concerned his determined recovery from tuberculosis; and subject files primarily concerning his involvement in state and national tuberculosis associations and the interest of his widow in the Will Ross Medal and other memorials to her husband. The correspondence includes examples of the monthly mimeographed letters which he sent to friends and business associates between 1926 and 1951. Concerning his hospital supply firm, Will Ross Inc., which was established while Ross was still a patient in a tuberculosis sanitarium, the collection includes a few examples of early letters, circa 1917-1923, that he sent to his mail order customers. Also included are some examples of the firm's advertising material.

ACCESS RESTRICTIONS: There are no access restrictions on the materials, and the collection is open to all members of the public in accordance with state law. However, the researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming with the laws of libel, privacy, and copyright which may be involved in the use of this collection (Wisconsin Statutes 19.21-19.39).

SCOPE AND CONTENT: The papers are a small collection which suggest, but do not fully reveal the important career and interests of Will Ross. The collection consists of materials gathered by Mrs. Ross after her husband's death. The main focus of the collection are three versions of Ross' inspirational autobiography published in 1953 and other shorter autobiographical writings. Unfortunately these writings focus almost exclusively on the period prior to 1919 when he moved his company to Milwaukee. There are virtually no business papers in the collection, and it is presumed that they were either destroyed or transferred when Will Ross, Inc. was sold. Only a few items document his involvement with the WATA and the NTA.

The collection consists of biographical material, correspondence, writings, and subject files. The biographical material includes one folder of loose material and several scrapbooks apparently compiled by Mrs. Ross and by his associates at Will Ross, Inc. Because the latter were received in a highly deteriorated condition, they were disassembled and microfilmed in order to preserve their informational content and are only available in that format.

The correspondence is quite fragmentary and incomplete and primarily consists of letters to Mrs. Ross written after her husband's death. In addition to condolences, there are also letters concerning publication of Ross' autobiography and the awarding of the Will Ross medals. A few letters written by Ross concern his health while a terminal cancer patient. Also filed with the correspondence is a run of his monthly mimeographed letters which were mailed to friends, customers, and business associates. Ross was widely known for these letters, which commented on a range of topics apart from his business concerns. The file includes original monthly letters for the period 1939-1950 and a reprint of various letters for the period 1926-1951.

The sole documentation in the collection pertaining to his business activities is a file of letters to sanitarium superintendents and other advertising materials which cover the period 1917 to 1923. Advertising material of a visual nature has been microfilmed, with the originals held in the Society's Visual and Sound Archives.

Examples of Ross' writings in the collection include two published editions of his autobiography and an early unpublished version, "It's TB, My Boy." Various shorter works also concern his experiences as a tuberculosis patient and his involvement with the National Tuberculosis Association. His early autobiography, My Personal Experiences with TB, is not included.

Five small subject files concern his involvement with the National Tuberculosis Association, various Will Ross Medal winners, and the film Will to Live which was produced by the American Lung Association as a tribute to Ross.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE: William Ross, Milwaukee businessman, civic leader, and tuberculosis activist, was born in Appleton, Wisconsin on July 5, 1888. Much of Ross' life and character was shaped by his battle as a young man with tuberculosis, a struggle which reached near legendary proportions among the community of tuberculosis workers. Although he was apparently infected with tuberculosis in infancy, Ross did not develop any manifestations until he was a high school student. His illness was incorrectly diagnosed as pneumonia, but he nevertheless recovered and was able to finish high school. Upon graduation, Ross went west for health reasons after a relapse. Apparently fully recovered, he returned to Appleton where he found a job as a reporter. At this time a definite diagnosis of tuberculosis was made and Ross was ordered to rest. For his recuperation Ross this time traveled to the southwest where he worked as a police reporter in El Paso, Texas. In 1909 Ross suffered another relapse and returned to Wisconsin on a stretcher. Upon his return he entered River Pines Sanatorium near Stevens Point which had been established by a pioneer in tuberculosis control, Dr. Hoyt Dearholt. Ross' stay at River Pines lasted five years. As part of his therapy, in 1909 Ross wrote a privately-published book My Personal Experiences with TB which eventually went through several editions, and which was widely heralded among health care officials of the period.

In partial payment for his care, Ross began working in the River Pines sanitorium office. When he was able, he would often purchase supplies and small items for the patients in Stevens Point. In 1913 when he moved to the Wisconsin State Sanitarium near Waukesha he established his business, "The Store" on the grounds of the sanitarium and sold miscellaneous items to the patients. Gradually Ross expanded the materials which he sold to include hospital supplies, and he expanded his market by offering his merchandise by mail to other institutions around the country. By 1919 he was fully recovered and he moved to Milwaukee where he established his firm, Will Ross, Inc. Until the firm was sold to G.D. Seale in 1973 the company remained family owned and operated. Continually expanding both in terms of physical size and sales volume, Will Ross, Inc. Ultimately became one of the leading hospital supply firms in the country.

In addition to his successful business career, Ross was actively involved in civic and health affairs. Recruited to work in the tuberculosis movement by Hoyt Dearholt, Ross served as a member of the board of directors of the Wisconsin Anti-Tuberculosis Association, as director of the WATA Christmas Seal sales program (1927-1939), and as editor of its journal, The Crusader (1927-1939). Ross was also active in the national organization, serving as a member of its board of directors and as only the second non-medical person to be elected (1946). In addition, during World War II he led the Milwaukee Community Fund drive and served as a member of the board of directorS of the Milwaukee Red Cross. Other civic associations included memberships on the board of directors of Downer College and Marquette University Medical School.

Ross died a result of cancer on May 31, 1951. He was survived by his second wife, Cava Wilson Ross. His contributions to the field of tuberculosis control were recognized by the posthumous publication of his book, I Wanted to Live, and by the creation of the Will Ross Memorial Award.

ACQUISITION: Presented by Cava Wilson Ross in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on July 10, 1980 (accession M80-559).

COLLECTION CITATION: This collection should be cited as:

Ross, Will, 1888-1951. Papers, 1914-1980. Milwaukee Manuscript Collection 111 and Milwaukee Micro Collection 55. Wisconsin Historical Society. Milwaukee Area Research Center. Golda Meir Library. University of Wisconsin--Milwaukee.

PROCESSING: Processed by Kim Castelaz in 1980, and CJM in 1987.

The original visual advertising materials and photographs are housed in Wisconsin Historical Society's Visual and Sound Archives.

MARC RECORD SEARCH TERMS: The following terms were used in the online bibliographic MARC record to this collection:

Businessmen--Wisconsin--Milwaukee.
Health reformers--Wisconsin--Milwaukee.
Medical social work--Wisconsin--Milwaukee.
Medical supplies industry--Wisconsin--Milwaukee--Records and correspondence.
Milwaukee (Wis.)--History--Sources.
Tuberculosis patients' writings--Wisconsin--Milwaukee.
Tuberculosis--Wisconsin--Milwaukee--Patients.
Tuberculosis--Wisconsin--Milwaukee--Societies, etc.
Will Ross, Inc.

MILWAUKEE MANUSCRIPT COLLECTION 111 MILWAUKEE MICRO COLLECTION 55	BOX	FOLDER
Biographical Information, undated	1	1
Biographical Information, Scrapbook I, 1924-1929 [Milwaukee Micro Collection 55, reel 1, frame 1]
Biographical Information, Scrapbook II, 1937 [Milwaukee Micro Collection 55, reel 1, frame 120]
Biographical Information, Scrapbook III, 1937-1942 [Milwaukee Micro Collection 55, reel 1, frame 182]
Biographical Information, Scrapbook IV, and Loose Clippings, 1936-1980 [Milwaukee Micro Collection 55, reel 1, frame 259]
Correspondence, General, 1914-1980	1	2
Correspondence, Mail Order Business Letters and Advertising, ca. 1917-1923	1	4
Correspondence, Microfilmed Visual Advertising Material, undated [Milwaukee Micro Collection 55, reel 1, frame 457]
Correspondence, Monthly Mimeographed Letters and Reprints, 1926-1951	1	3
Subject Files, National Tuberculosis Association, 1939-1948	2	2
Subject Files, Performing Arts Center and War Memorial, 1966-1976	2	3
Subject Files, River Pines Sanitarium, 1956-1971	2	4
Subject Files, Will Ross Medal, 1952-1979	2	5
Subject Files, Will to Live, 1980	2	6
Writings, Articles, 1907-1951	1	5
Writings, Articles, I Wanted to Live, 1953, 1970	1	6
Writings, "It's TB, My Boy," 1946	2	1