Henry D. Gross

Portrait and Biographical Record –  Pg. 257

Kindly submitted: Lea Nissley

            Henry D. Gross, a businessman of high standing in Schnecksville, is the proprietor of a general merchandise establishment, and is also surveyor and Justice of the Peace. He is a native of this county, and was born December 2, 1849. His parents, Joel and Dianna (Fetherolf) Gross, were likewise natives of this section, and the former died in 1891, when in his eighty-second year. He passed the greater part of his life in North Whitehall Township, but for several years prior to his decease was living retired in Allentown.

            The great-grandfather of our subject was the founder of this branch of the family in America. He was a man held in the highest esteem, and made farming his life occupation. Henry, of this sketch, received his preliminary education in the public schools of his native place, after which he attended the Ft. Edward (N.Y.) Institute for eighteen months, and later was a student in the Dickinson Seminary at Williamsport, this state. While in New York he took a course in surveying, and afterward obtained practical experience with his uncle, Peter Gross, who was an expert in that work.

            For a number of years our subject clerked in his father’s store, and also filled the same position for a short time in the establishment of Bertolet & Bear. In 1890, he opened a dry-goods house of his own, and carries a full line of goods, which he retails at popular prices. He has a large trade throughout the surrounding county, and his annual sales amount to $20,000. His stock is valued at $ 10,000, and includes carefully chosen goods suited to the growing needs of the people of the section over which his trade extends. He is very popular, and is one of those men whose energies and talent will allow of their engaging in various branches of business with success. Besides the enterprises already mentioned he owns a one-third interest in the hardware establishment of Gross, Fritzinger & Co., and is the proprietor of sixty acres of land. In 1890 he was appointed Postmaster of Schnecksville, where he also owns Hotel Gross.

            Mr. Gross is serving his third term as Justice of the Peace, having first been elected in 1882. Politically he is a stanch believer in the principles of the Republican Party, and gives it his hearty support. He is connected with the German Reformed Church, which he is now serving as Trustee, and has been a Deacon. In 1874 Miss Louisa Hunsicker became the wife of our subject, and to them has been born a son, Oliver.