BIO:  Henry V. Gress, York County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Kathy Francis

Copyright 2005.  All rights reserved.
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History of York County, Pennsylvania.  John Gibson, Historical Editor.
Chicago: F. A. Battey Publishing Co., 1886.
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Part II, Biographical Sketches, Manchester Township, Pg 135

HENRY V. GRESS, M.D., was born in Lancaster County, November 3, 1846.  His 
parents were John and Elizabeth (Von-Nieda) Gress, both of whom are dead, the 
father dying when Henry V. was but a year old.  They were natives of Lancaster 
County and of German descent.  They had two sons, of whom Henry V. was the 
youngest.  Until his seventeenth year he remained on the farm, attending also the 
common schools, where at the age of sixteen years he first learned English.  At 
the age of twenty years he entered the office of Dr. Hoffman at Sinking Springs, 
Berks Co., Penn., and read medicine one year; then entered Jefferson College and 
took a course of lectures.  After reading another year with his old preceptor he 
returned to his alma mater, and graduated in March, 1871, as M. D., not getting 
his diploma, however, until some months after passing the examination, on account 
of a “commencement.”  He had really practiced his profession nine months before 
he received his diploma.  At Brickerville, Lancaster County, he began practice in 
September, 1870, and stayed some time over a year.  He then removed to 
Bachmansville, Dauphin County, where he practiced nearly three years.  From there 
he moved to Manchester, where he has since practiced with success.  September 20, 
1870, he was married, at York, to Ella Boyd, of Columbia, Penn., a daughter of 
John Boyd, of Scotch-Irish descent.  Four children were born to them:  Ray, Guy, 
Grace and Elizabeth B.  Both parents belong to the United Brethren Church.  Dr. 
Gress was elected school director in 1882.  He was also one of the organizers of 
the Provident Life Association of Baltimore, Md., and has been one of the 
directors since its organization in 1882.