The Ross Family: A Legacy of Agriculture and Community
From Brooker Bowen to Arnold and Jo Ross
L.E. (Brooker) Bowen, affectionately known as Grandpa, embarked on his journey in the farm implement business in 1927 in Gardenersville, signing a contract with International Harvester. Brooker and his wife Thelma had three daughters: Sue, Jo, and Jane.
Just a couple of miles east of Gardnersville on Highway 491, John and Hazel Ross cultivated a small farm and raised a family of six children. From an early age, John and Hazel’s middle son, Arnold, knew he would marry Jo Bowen. True to his childhood conviction, Arnold and Jo were married in April 1956. Following their nuptials, they moved to Annapolis, Maryland, during Arnold’s service in the Navy.
After fulfilling his duty in the Navy, Arnold, Jo, and their firstborn daughter Kim returned to Gardnersville. Arnold joined his father-in-law Brooker in the implement business and they had three more children: Matt, Brad and Mark. The year 1969 marked a significant milestone as Arnold and Jo purchased the implement business from Brooker.
The Ross family made their home in and around the dealership, as well as on a small cattle farm. Construction of their home began in 1973 and was completed in 1975 when the family of six moved in. Building the house was a collaborative effort for the Ross family. The boys recall spending afternoons after school hauling rocks from the creek for the fireplace and stone wall. The stone mason, an 82-year-old craftsman, relied on the boys as his "muscle" to lift rocks, mix mortar, and hoisting ‘ole Ben on the scaffolding.
In 2018, the Ross family sold the implement business but continued in the cattle business operating this farm and others around the county. The enduring dedication to farming is a tribute to Arnold and Jo Ross’s legacy. Today, their home serves as a welcoming haven for visitors from across the country, embodying the spirit and heritage of the Ross family.