LaRoss, David Henry Earnest, the son of Rev. Joseph LaRoss and Elizabeth Earnest, was born January 9, 1827, at Bloomsburg, Columbia county, Pa. His father died when his son was an infant, and his mother, an exemplary woman, when he was eleven years of age. Thus early left an orphan he was thrown upon his own resources for a liveliood. After varied employments he returned to Hummelstown with his maternal uncle, and shortly after apprenticd himself to the trade of cabinet-maker. After serving his time he began clerking at Harrisburg, where he remained several years, at the same time closely applying himself to study. He subsequently entered Lafayette College, Easton, where he remained two years, his limited means not permitting him to remain for graduation. He then began teaching as a profession. In 1860 he was first elected county superintendent of public schools, in which position he served until his death, except in 1872, when he was elected to a term of office by a vote of sixty-five out of ninety polled, yet, owing to some defect and objection by several boards of directors, the person who received the next highest number of votes was commissioned superintendent. He was, however, re-elected in 1875 and in 1878, and again in 1881, when his vote was almost unanimous. Professor LaRoss died at Hummelstown, Sunday, October 22, 1882, in the fifty-sixth year of his age. Professor LaRoss married, in 1853, Sarah A. Coil, of Shaefferstown, Lebanon county, Pa., who died in January, 1867, and there was issue: Joseph, John, Mary, Gertrude, married Eli Kline, of Allentown, Carroll, Robert, Sarah, and Eva. He next married Annie W. Brenneman, of Elizabethtown, Pa., who died two years afterwards without issue. In 1872 he married Fannie Hummel, of Hummelstown, and there was issue: Fannie, Claude and Edna.