John Rolly Ross


John Rolly Ross was a United States District Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Nevada.

Education and career

Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Ross was in the United States Army in World War I, and then received an Artium Baccalaureus degree from the University of Nevada, Reno in 1923 and a Juris Doctor from Stanford Law School in 1926. He was in private practice from 1926 to 1954. He was district attorney of Lyon County, Nevada from 1927 to 1929 and a city attorney of Yerington, Nevada from 1929 to 1939. He was the Republican State Chairman in 1934, and was city attorney of Carson City, Nevada from 1947 to 1951. He was a member of the Governor's Legislative Counsel in 1947, 1951, and 1953.

Federal judicial service

On May 3, 1954, Ross was nominated by President Dwight D. Eisenhower to a new seat on the United States District Court for the District of Nevada created by 68 Stat. 8. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on May 13, 1954, and received his commission on May 15, 1954. He served as Chief Judge from 1961 until his death on April 22, 1963.