History of Bucks County, Pa Volume 3 by William H. Davis
Names and Page # Index

Henry W. GROSS of Doylestown, Bucks county, Pennsylvania, was born in New Britain township, Bucks county, Pennsylvania, February 4, 1842, and is a son of Joseph N. and Sarah (WISMER) GROSS.

Rev. Jacob GROSS, the great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was a native of Germany and came to this country about 1763, locating in Hatfield, now Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, from whence about the year 1780 he removed to Bedminster township, where he purchased a farm and resided until his death, December 12, 1810 at the age of sixty-seven years. He was for many years a minister of the Mennonite congregation at Deep Run, and later a Bishop of that denomination. His wife Mary nee KRALL, survived him and died in Bedminster, February 10, 1816, at the age of sixty-five years. They were the parents of six children: Isaac, Christian, Mary, wife of Abraham NASH, Jacob, Daniel and John.

Daniel GROSS, son of Jacob and Mary, was born May 24, 1784, and was a farmer in Bedminster, and later in Doylestown township, where he died and 1875. He married, June 20, 1809, Elizabeth NASH, born June 25, 1788, died November 9, 1823. She was a daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (WISMER) NASH, and granddaughter of William NASH, an early German settler on the Skippack, who later settled in Bedminster township. Joseph NASH was born January 18, 1753, and died May 31, 1830, was a farmer and weaver in Tinicum township, Bucks county. He was a member of the Mennonite congregation at Deep Run and a deacon for many years. His wife, Elizabeth WISMER, was a native of Bedminster and was born September 1, 1753, died September 9, 1837. Daniel GROSS was a deacon of the Doylestown Mennonite congregation for thirty years. His children were: Mary, born May 20, 1812, died September 12, 1813: Joseph N., born August 3, 1816, see forward; Elizabeth, and Sophia, married Samuel KAISINGER.

Joseph N. GROSS, eldest son of Daniel and Elizabeth (NASH) GROSS, born in Bedminster township, August 3, 1816, was a lifelong farmer. On his marriage he located on a farm in New Britain township, on which he resided for forty-four years. He was a Mennonite, and politically was a Republican. He took an active interest in local affairs, and served for a number of years as a school director, also filled the position of county auditor. He died April 13, 1902. He married, March 16, 1841, Sarah WISMER born April 30, 1819, daughter of Samuel and Susanna WISMER, and they were the parents of five children: Henry W., the subject of this sketch: Susanna, born June 4, 1843, died December 11, 1873, married William J. LEATHERMAN, of Plumstead: Daniel W., born June 3, 1846, died February 12, 1880, unmarried; Levi N., born October 24, 1854, removed to Oakland, California; and Isaiah W., born January 10, 1861, living in Philadelphia.

Henry W. GROSS was born and reared on the farm in New Britain township, and attended the public schools there, later entering the First State Norman school at Millersville, Pennsylvania, from which he graduated in 1873. He taught school in Bucks and Allegheny counties for sixteen years; was principal of the Etna borough schools, Allegheny county, for five years. Since 1880 he has been connected with the creamery business. In Politics Mr. GROSS is a Republican, but has never sought or held other than local office. He has served as school director of Doylestown township for two terms. He is interested in several local institutions, and is president of the White Hall Mutual Fire Insurance Company, and of the Chalfont Mutual Wind and Storm Insurance Company. Religiously, he is a member of Doylestown Presbyterian church, of which he has been a ruling elder since 1890. He joined the Forest Grove Presbyterian church. Allegheny county, in 1869, and was superintendent of the Sharpsburg, (Allegheny county) Presbyterian Sabbath School for two years. He has been superintendent of the Danboro (Bucks county) Sabbath School since 1890, except for an interval of less than a year. He has served for several years as secretary of the Bucks county Sabbath School Association and as president of the Sabbath School Association, second district of Bucks county, and superintendent of the normal department of the Sunday schools in that district.

In June, 1905, Mr. GROSS asked to be relieved from the Sunday School superintendent duties at Danboro. In doing so the school presented him with a beautiful combination couch, and the following resolutions signed by the one hundred and thirty members:

Dear Mr.H.W. GROSS:

It is with the deepest regret, that we, the officers, teachers and members of the Danboro Union Sunday School, accept your resignation as superintendent.

We lose a superintendent whose life has been marked by the most genial companionship and devoted Christian character.

In you we have recognized a worker whose individual fidelity has been the means of inspiring the young people and adding endurance and courage to the older ones.

In you we have seen the Christian in belief, in experience and in example.

In you we have noticed a church member in profession, in loyality (sic) and in work.

In you we have seen a Bible student in teachableness (sic) and in thoroughness.

You have been a teacher in knowledge and a teacher in tact and we will be grateful for continued services.

All have profited by your sympathy and helpfulness.

The members of your family deserve their share of credit for the help they have been. Those were happy Sunday School days when the entire family gathered in the chapel from Sabbath to Sabbath. Every man, woman and child have felt for you all in the sad affliction which has overtaken one of your children and one of our scholars.

God be praised that He gave you the talent to do so much for us, and may He continue to give you and us strength to bear what lies before us.

And we would not be forgetful of your helpmate who has stood so faithfully by you.

Again, we desire to express our grateful appreciation of the services you have so faithfully and conscientiously rendered, and may our relationship crease with Mizpah.

July 1, 1905

Mr. GROSS married at Line Lexington, Bucks county, Pennsylvania, June 17, 1875, Susan Elizabeth FUNK, of Hilltown, daughter of Jacob and Susanna (FRETZ) FUNK, the former a native of Springfield, and the latter a daughter of Martin FRETZ, for many years a miller at the old YOST mill near Bloomington Glen, and a granddaughter of Christian and Barbara (OBERHOLTZER) FRETZ, of Bedminster. Mr. and Mrs. GROSS have been the parents of four children: Sarah Ella, Emma Laura, Esther F. and Walter GROSS. The latter died at the age of eight months. S. Ella GROSS attended the West Chester Normal school, and has taught in the public schools of Bucks county for two terms. Emma Laura is an invalid and resides at home. Esther F. GROSS attended the State Normal school at Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, for one year, graduated form the West Chester Normal school, and is now a teacher in the public schools of Quakertown borough, Bucks county.

Test taken from page 209-210 of:

Davis, William W. H., A.M., History of Bucks County, Pennsylvania [New York-Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1905] Volume III

Transcribed May 2001 by Joan Lollis of Merrillville, IN. as part of the Bucks Co., Pa., Early Family Project, www.rootsweb.com/~pabucks/bucksindex.html