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J. D. Ross papers, 1898-2010

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Ross, J. D. (James Delmage), 1872-1939
Title
J. D. Ross papers
Dates
1898-2010 (inclusive)
1898-1939 (bulk)
Quantity
15.77 cubic feet, (30 boxes)
Collection Number
0838
Summary
Personal and professional papers (predominantly correspondence) of J. D. Ross, spanning his career at Seattle City Light as well as his work on the Securities and Exchange Commission and as administrator of the Bonneville Power Administration.
Repository
University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 2065431929
Fax: 2065431931
speccoll@uw.edu
Access Restrictions

Open to all users.

Request at UW

Languages
Collection materials are in English.
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Biographical Note

James (J. D.) Delmage Ross (1872-1939) was a public power executive and staunch advocate of the municipal power ownership movement. Credited as the Father of Seattle City Light, Ross worked there as an engineer starting in 1903 and served as its superintendent from 1911 until his death in 1939. In addition, Ross was appointed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to serve on the Securities and Exchange Commission (1935-1937) and was named the first administrator of the Bonneville Power Administration (1937-1939). During his time at both agencies, Ross retained his position at City Light. His pioneering work at City Light included the development of the Skagit River Hydroelectric Project, the Lake Union Steam Plant, and the lighting of Seattle's streets.

J.D. Ross was born in Chatham, Ontario to Scottish immigrant parents. Ross's mother died when he was young. Ross taught school for several years in Chatham after completing two years of college. Suffering from ill health, he decided to try to improve his health and his luck in the Gold fields in the Yukon in 1898, walking from Ontario to the Pacific. Ross was interested in and experimented with electricity and engineering from a young age. Making his way to Seattle from the gold fields in 1903, he got work with the then Seattle Lighting and Water company, the precursor to City Light. The company was planning the development of a hydro-electric project at Cedar Falls, and Ross offered to design the plant. Despite having no formal training in engineering and plant design, his plan was accepted. The success of the plant led to the division of the agency into separate lighting and water offices. Ross became the assistant engineer of the newly formed City Light, and then Supervisor in 1911, a post he held until his death in 1939. Ross became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1905. Ross married Alice Maud Wilson in 1907 in Ontario. While they had no children of their own, they raised Ross's nephew, James S. Ross, after his father died in Cuba, as well as at least two other children.

Ross oversaw the building the Gorge, Diablo and Ruby (later renamed Ross) Dams and power houses on the Skagit. During his tenure, Seattle became the most electrified city in the country. City Light also subsidized the purchase of electrical appliances such as ranges and hot water heaters resulting in Seattle owning more electric ranges than any other city.

Ross remained engaged in scientific work throughout his life. He built a chemistry lab in his basement and experimented with electrical inventions, chemistry and minerals. He did significant research on atomic elements 43 and 75. While he did not receive credit for their discovery, some thought he deserved it. Ross published one book, "New Views on Space, Time and Matter" in 1931 and was completing a second at the time of his death. In addition, he held several patents, including one for a street light cluster that was used in the Seattle street lighting system.

Ross was dedicated advocate of publicly owned utilities and was active in promoting legislation and national organizations supporting public ownership. As a result of his success developing the publicly owned Seattle City Light, he travelled widely, speaking to local groups and consulting on the development of municipal power districts. A prolific letter-writer, Ross corresponded with everyone from Thomas Edison, Nikola Tesla, and Franklin Roosevelt, to the average citizen asking for advice or a hand up. Ross was universally popular with the average citizens of Seattle, as well as progressive politicians. Privately owned power companies, and politicians who resented his prominence and control over City Light, however, worked to undermine him, going so far as to tap his phone or plant listening devices in his house. A particular enemy was C.B. Blethen, publisher of the Seattle Daily Times. With the support of the Times, in 1931, after an active publishing campaign against Ross, then Mayor Frank Edwards dismissed Ross from City Light. Within three months, the City Council unanimously called for a recall election, which succeeded with a significant majority of support from the public. Mayor Edwards was recalled and Ross re-installed as Superintendent.

Ross died unexpectedly in 1939 from complications following a surgery. His funeral in Seattle was attended by thousands of citizens, politicians, and he received full military honors. Franklin D. Roosevelt wrote his epitaph which was engraved on his crypt built into the side of Ross Mountain near Ross Dam on the Skagit River.

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Content Description

Personal and professional papers (predominantly correspondence) of J. D. Ross, spanning his career at Seattle City Light as well as his work on the Securities and Exchange Commission and as administrator of the Bonneville Power Administration. The collection includes Ross's extensive personal research on chemistry, electricity, and engineering and patents, as well as Ross's national work advocating for publicly owned utilities. Also included in the collection are photographs of Ross, his friends and family, and various City Light projects.

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Use of the Collection

Restrictions on Use

Creator's literary rights transferred to the University of Washington Libraries

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Administrative Information

Arrangement

Arranged in 20 series.

  • Series 1, Personal Papers
  • Series 2, Mining Investments
  • Series 3, General Correspondence
  • Series 4, Biographies and collected research
  • Series 5, Writings and Speeches
  • Series 6, New Views on Space, Time and Matter
  • Series 7, The Nature of Gravitation
  • Series 8, Science and Engineering Work
  • Series 9, Seattle City Light
  • Series 10, Ross's Death
  • Series 11, Bonneville Power Administration
  • Series 12, New York-St. Lawrence Hydro-Electric Project
  • Series 13, Securities Exchange Commission
  • Series 14, Other Professional Positions
  • Series 15, Legislation
  • Series 16, Public Utilities Advocacy
  • Series 17, Public Ownership League
  • Series 18, Ephemera
  • Series 19, Clippings
  • Series 20, Photographs

Custodial History

These papers have been in the care of multiple researchers as well as Ross' nephew James S. Ross.

Donated by Paul C. Pitzer in 2013 and 2025.

Separated Materials

Ross' invitation to President Franklin D. Roosevelt's 1937 Inauguration and 2 copies of Who's Who on the Pacific Coast, 1913 edition, which contains a listing for J. D. Ross (p. 490), have been separated from the collection.

Related Materials

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Detailed Description of the Collection

Names and Subjects

Subject Terms

  • Clippings (Books, newspapers, etc.)--Specimens
  • Electric power--United States
  • Electric utilities--Washington (State)
  • Hydroelectric power plants--New York (State)
  • Mines and mineral resources--British Columbia
  • Personal Papers/Corporate Records (University of Washington)
  • Photographs--Specimens
  • Public utilities--Law and legislation
  • Public utilities--Washington (State)

Geographical Names

  • Seattle
  • Washington (State)

Form or Genre Terms

  • Business correspondence
  • Ephemera
  • Patents
  • Personal correspondence
  • Personal papers
  • Photographs
  • Research (documents)

Other Creators

  • Personal Names

    • Beck, Robert W
    • Bone, Homer Truett, 1883-1970 (creator)
    • Coffee, John Main, 1897- (creator)
    • Cooke, Morris Llewellyn, 1872-1960--Correspondence
    • Cottrell, Frederick Gardner, 1877-1948 (creator)
    • Dickerman, Judson C (creator)
    • Dill, Clarence C. (Clarence Cleveland), 1884-1978 (creator)
    • England, William H (creator)
    • Finny, Ruth (creator)
    • Hoover, J. Edgar (John Edgar), 1895-1972--Correspondence
    • King, Bertha (creator)
    • King, Judson, 1872-1958 (creator)
    • La Follette, Robert M. (Robert Marion), 1855-1925 (creator)
    • McNinch, Frank R (creator)
    • Myers, Guy C
    • Neal, Mr. (John Randolph), 1836-1889 (creator)
    • Olds, Leland, 1890-1960 (creator)
    • Roosevelt, Franklin D. (Franklin Delano), 1882-1945--Correspondence
    • Ross, J. D. (James Delmage), 1872-1939--Archives
    • Ross, J. D. (James Delmage), 1872-1939--Death and burial
    • Ross, J. D. (James Delmage), 1872-1939--Family
    • Ross, J. D. (James Delmage), 1872-1939--Family--Photographs
    • Ross, J. D. (James Delmage), 1872-1939--Photographs
    • Schwellenbach, Lewis B. (Lewis Baxter), 1894-1948 (creator)
    • Suzzallo, Henry, 1875-1933--Correspondence
    • Tesla, Nikola, 1856-1943--Correspondence
    • Thompson, Carl Dean, 1870-1949--Correspondence

    Corporate Names

    • Public Ownership League of America
    • Public Ownership League of America--Congresses
    • Seattle (Wash.). Department of Lighting
    • Seattle City Light--Finance
    • Seattle City Light--Records and correspondence
    • Skagit River Hydroelectric Project
    • Skagit River Hydroelectric Project--Photographs
    • Tennessee Valley Authority
    • United States. Bonneville Power Administration
    • United States. Department of the Interior. Office of the Secretary (creator)
    • United States. Securities and Exchange Commission


2007 (Last modified: 1/31/2020)

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