From : The Edmund G. Ross collection was donated to the Kansas State Historical Society in 1944 by Mrs. Lillian Ross Leis. There are no restrictions on use of the collection.

"During the Civil War Ross served in Company E of the 11th Kansas Cavalry. In 1866 he was appointed by the governor to fill the unexpired United States Senate term of James Lane, who had committed suicide. Ross served in the Senate until 1871. He is best remembered as the man who cast the deciding vote against the impeachment of President Andrew Johnson. Reviled by Republicans and Kansas citizens for this vote, Ross became disillusioned with Republican policies, and left the party in 1872. From 1871 to 1882 he pursued his newspaper interests in Kansas.

A sojourn to New Mexico in 1882 revitalized Ross’s health, convincing him to move to the territory permanently. In 1885 he was appointed territorial governor. He served in this position for four years. In 1889 Ross passed the New Mexico bar and spent the remainder of his life practicing law and writing. Years after the Johnson impeachment trial people began to change their minds about the significance of Ross’s actions, and tributes to his courage in the face of intense political pressure were offered. General Hugh Cameron of Lawrence visited Ross in New Mexico carrying testimonials of good will from Kansas citizens in 1907 - the cane in photo. Ross died May 9, 1907."