John Ross, born in 1790, was a Scot who was one-eight Cherokee Indian.  He
was a commander of a regiment of Indians under General Andrew Jackson in
the War of 1812, and fought in the Creek War, from 1813 to 1814.  Ross
served as the principal chief of the eastern Cherokees from 1828 to 1839. 
He opposed the Removal Act vehemently; nevertheless, in 1838, Ross and his
tribe were forced by the state of Georgia to relocate to Indian Territory
(what is now Oklahoma).  Ross led his people west on the Trail of T ears,
during which one in four Indians died en route.  Ross served as president
of the Cherokee nation from 1839 until his death in 1866.