Joshua Ross, Muskogee Agriculturalist

Joshua Ross is usually remembered as one of Muskogee's first businessmen. Overlooked today is his involvement in the promotion of improved farming practices.

Ross' move to Muskogee's east side brought many benefits. One arose from the railroad connection with eastern states. The Katy brought improved mail service. That meant Joshua received timely delivery of his "Illustrated Journal of Agriculture."

The magazine began publication in Saint Louis, Missouri in 1860, and then restarted after the end of hostilities. Printed much like a newspaper, farmers were reading its agricultural articles all across the American Southwest by the early 1870's.

The articles had a direct impact in Indian Territory. Joshua himself purchased a variety of merchandise from the magazine's advertisers. These items included knives, Berkshire pigs and a sewing machine for his wife.

Ross passed advice from the articles along to area farmers and customers. He especially talked about the benefits of raising a better breed of hogs. He encouraged area farmers to upgrade the quality of their pigs by offering his for sale at $10 each. Joshua was able to use his Berkshire pigs in demonstrating the animal's worth. Farmers commonly raised leaner hogs at the time.

Raising Berkshire pigs brought about a change to the way pigs were raised in Indian Territory. In the past, hogs roamed freely. Berkshire hogs were more valuable. Consequently, farmers learned to keep them in pens, which is the practice today.

Joshua Ross promoted other areas of improved farming as well. He was the first person to plant an orchard in Muskogee. Yes, there were many orchards already in Indian Territory. His planting one so soon after establishing his residence in the new town demonstrated further commitment to agricultural improvements. The trees he chose for his orchard were among the finest varieties of apple, peach and plum trees.

Ross' interest in improving agriculture in Indian Territory also included his promotion of farming practices among the civilized tribes. His service on the General Council of the Indian Territory began as early as 1873.

This council formed in 1869. It promoted improvements in many conditions affecting residents of the territory. The Civil War caused widespread destruction of homes, farms and businesses in Indian Territory. Joshua's focus on improving farming conditions led to his chairmanship of the council's Agriculture Committee.

In the spring of 1874, Joshua began acting as an agent promoting the "Cherokee Advocate," the Tahlequah newspaper. His connection with the newspaper provided him with a new outlet for his promotional efforts. The newspaper publisher encouraged its agents to communicate news of local events.

Ross' first effort in using a newspaper as an advertising medium was a simple announcement. He reported the forthcoming meeting on the last Wednesday in June 1874.

The paragraph called for a meeting of people interested in establishing a fair. It was to be held later in the year the announcement said. This meeting was the initial effort in planning the fair.

The subsequent fair inspired local residents to improve their farming practices in addition to providing entertainment. Many farmers entered livestock and crop samples in judging contests. The competition encouraged farmers to work on improving their crops and livestock in preparation for the following fair.

While Joshua Ross did not work alone in promoting agricultural improvements in Indian Territory, he certainly was a strong promoter. His adoption of improved practices on his own farm shows that he was an early Muskogee agriculturalist himself.