My Genealogy Hound

BENJAMIN J. L. GROSS is one of the enterprising business men of New Palestine, Randolph County. His birth occurred in Rochester, N. Y., April 1, 1854, and he was the third child born to Conrad and Catherine (Dihlmann) Gross, both natives of Germany. In 1866 the parents removed to this county. They lived here until their deaths, the mother, dying June 19, 1881, and the father, June 24, 1888.

Our subject was twelve years old when the journey was made hither. He had attended the schools in his native state, but after coming here, for three years was a student in the Lutheran school, and spent one year at the public school. When fifteen years old he began learning his father’s trade, blacksmithing, and has been in that business ever since. In 1880 he embarked for himself in New Palestine, where he is enjoying a large and profitable trade, manufacturing wagons, plows and harrows in connection with his general repair work.

The marriage of Mr. Gross and Miss Justina, daughter of Adam and Elizabeth Breacher, natives of Germany, occurred December 26, 1881. To this marriage nine children were born, the two eldest of whom died in infancy. The others are: John and Conrad, who are attending school in Chester; Alfred, Hulda, Irene, Justina and Sigmund, who are at home with their parents. Mr. and Mrs. Gross are devoted members of the Lutheran Church and are held in high esteem by the entire community. Politically, Mr. Gross is conservative, preferring to cast his ballot for the man, irrespective of party.