Peter Gross Biography


	This biography is from "Memorial and biographical record; an illustrated
 	compendium of biography, containing a compendium of local biography,
	including biographical sketches of prominent old settlers and 
	representative citizens of South Dakota..." Published by G. A. Ogle & 
	Co., Chicago, 1899. Pages 704-707

	Scan, OCR and editing by Maurice Krueger,mkrueger@iw.net, 1998. 

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PETER GROSS. For sixteen years this gentleman has resided in Hand 
county, South Dakota, and his name is inseparably connected with its 
agricultural and political interests. His thoroughly American spirit 
and great energy have enabled him to mount from a lowly position to one 
of prominence, he is now most capably and satisfactorily serving as 
county auditor of Hand county, and with office in Miller. A portrait of 
Mr. Gross is presented on another page. 

Mr. Gross was born in Monroe county, Wisconsin, May 10, 1868, and is a 
son of John J. and Annie (Verken) Gross, both of whom were born in 
Germany but were married after their emigration to the New World. They 
made their home in Wisconsin until 1883, when they came to Hand county, 
South Dakota, where the father took up land and engaged in farming. His 
wife died here but he is still living and is now a resident of La 
Crosse, Wisconsin. 

Peter Gross was reared in the usual manner of farmer boys in Wisconsin, 
and after his education was completed he engaged in agricultural 
pursuits in that state until the removal of the family to South Dakota 
in 1883. Later he took up land in Hand county and successfully followed 
farming here until his election to the office of county auditor in 
1896. On the expiration of his first term, he was re-elected in 1898 
and is still filling that position in a most creditable manner. 

On the 1st of July, 1891, Mr. Gross married Miss Sarah E. Ford, and 
they now have three children living: Peter N., Agnes C. and Mabel T. 
They have also lost one daughter, Nellie E., who died in 1898. Mr. 
Gross and his family are communicants of the Catholic church and are 
widely known and highly respected in the communities where they have 
made their homes. Our subject is a prominent representative of the 
Populist party in this section of the state, has served as a member of 
the county central committee, and has acted as a delegate to several 
county and state conventions.