John C. Gross Biography


	This biography appears on pages 516-517 in "History of Dakota 
	Territory" by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. V (1915) and was 
	scanned, OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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	Additions and Corrections -- This section is not a part of the 
	original record, but is added for the benefit of researchers

	"Kluckstohl" is Glueckstal. 
	See "Glueckstal Colonies Births and Marriages 1833-1900", page 87. 
	--from Joy Fisher, jfisher@sdgenweb.com

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				JOHN C. GROSS. 

	John C. Gross, prominently connected with the business interests 
of Bowdle, belongs to that class of men whose enterprise constitutes an 
upbuilding force in the life of a community. He is connected with 
banking and mercantile concerns and is the owner of value able city and 
farm property. Moreover, his life is an indication of the opportunities 
that are offered in America to men of foreign birth who seek the 
chances that are to be found on this side of the Atlantic. 

	Mr. Gross is a native of Russia, born at Kluckstohl, near Odessa, 
September 28, 1875, a son of Christian and Kathrina (Lapp) Gross, who 
were also natives of the same county, whence they came to America in 
1889, first settling in McPherson county, South Dakota. The father took 
up three quarter sections of land and built thereon a sod house and 
stable. He at once began the development of his property and brought it 
to a high state of cultivation. In 1910 he put aside the active work of 
the fields and retired from business life, removing to Bowdle, where he 
and his wife now make their home. In their family were nine children, 
six of whom are yet living: Kathrina, the wife of Fred Reiner, of 
McPherson county; John C.; Henry; Christian; Martin; and Rosa, the wife 
of J. K. Kurle, of Bowdle. 

	John C. Gross remained at home until he reached the age of 
twenty-two years, after which he devoted three months to grain buying 
at Bowdle. He then accepted a clerkship in a store, in which he was 
employed for thirteen months, and later he established an implement 
business in Bowdle, which he conducted with growing success for nine 
years, enjoying a liberal patronage. On the expiration of that period 
he and his father-in-law, Jacob Gundert, established and incorporated a 
state bank at Bowdle, of which Mr. Gross was made president and still 
acts in that capacity. A year afterward he and his brother Henry became 
sole proprietors of this institution, which they now own. They conduct 
a general banking business and theirs is regarded as one of the sound 
financial institutions of this part of the state. They have-also 
purchased a general store, known as the German Bazaar, which they are 
still conducting in connection with the banking business. They own a 
brick block in Bowdle, in which they carry on business, and they are 
likewise the owners of several farm properties in Edmunds county and 
also of a farm in Sargent county, North Dakota All four brothers are 
now associated together in these business enterprises. They have ever 
been watchful of opportunities, alert and energetic and gradually they 
have advanced in business to the goal of prosperity. 

	In 1904 Mr. Gross was united in marriage to Miss Lydia Gundert, a 
native of Yankton, South Dakota, and a daughter of Jacob Gundert, of 
whom mention is made elsewhere in this volume Mr. and Mrs. Gross now 
have three children, Edna K. Gardner B. and Maurice J. 

	The parents are members of the Congregational church and are 
interested in all that pertains to the welfare of the community. Mr. 
Gross was a youth of fourteen when he came to the new world. His 
educational advantages were limited to those offered by the public 
schools and from an early age he depended upon his own resources. He 
never sought to depend upon any fortunate combination of circumstances 
in his business career but placed his faith in industry and 
perseverance and by the intelligent direction of his efforts he has won 
a substantial measure of success, being numbered among the foremost 
residents and business men of Edmunds county.