After nearly eight years of invalidism, W. D. Gross died at his home on Grant street in this city this morning at 1:30 o’clock, and the funeral will be from the residence Saturday afternoon at 1:30 o’clock, conducted by Rev. S. W. Richards and the G.A.R. Mr. Gross was born in Hillsboro, Albeit County, New Brunswick, and was of Scotch-German descent. When a young man he moved with his parents to Boston where in 1864 he enlisted as a sergeant in Company E 3rd Massachusetts Cavalry and was discharged at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas after which he returned to Hillsboro and married Maria Martin Nov. 4, 1866. Two years later they moved to Omaha and the next year took up a homestead in Grant township, this county, where they remained for three years and then removed to this city. Upon coming here Mr. Gross went into the livery business. Deceased had held a number of positions of trust and served on the council several terms and was sheriff of this county from 1880 to 1884. He was also a member of the county board for six years. Mrs. Gross and two daughters, a sister and two brothers survive him. Miles Gross, a nephew, and wife of Omaha and Mr. Stevens of Abilene, Kans. are expected here to attend the funeral. >p> #2-Pilot 21 Nov 1904

W. D. Gross, Dead.

The many old time friends of Hon. W. D. Gross will be pained to learn of his death which occurred Thursday morning about 1:30. For the past eight years Mr. Gross has been an invalid constantly growing worse and for some time has been practically helpless. Last Friday he was taken much worse than usual and since that time till death relieved him he has been in a stupor constantly. He was a man of wide acquaintance and highly respected by all who knew him and as a pioneer to Nebraska did his full share toward the upbuilding of the state.

Mr. Gross was a veteran of the Civil war, having joined the 3rd Massachusetts Cavalry in April 1864, serving in the east till mustered out in September 1865. In 1868 Mr. and Mrs. Gross and their daughter Anna, then an infant, removed to Omaha and in 1869 they came to Washington county, settling in Grant precinct. In 1872 they removed to Blair where Mr. Gross engaged in the livery business. From 1880 to 1884 he was sheriff of the county and much of the time after this till his sickness he was holding some office of the city or county, but all the time continued in charge of his business. The funeral was held on Saturday afternoon from the home on West Lincoln street where the services were conducted by Rev. Richards, his personal friend.

Note: Handwritten note on the obituary card: Born 13 April 1837; Died 17 Nov 1904; Buried 19 Nov 1904 in Blair Cemetery, Blk 26 Lot 2 Gr 4; Civil War Co E, 3rd Mass. Calvary

#3-Blair Courier 23 Nov 1904

(Photo) (Veteran Civil War Co E, 3rd Mass. Cavalry)

William D. Gross passed to the great beyond at 1:30 last Thursday morning, having been a sufferer from locomotorataxia for about eight years. Much of that time he was unable to care for himself but no one was ever better cared for than he nor was there ever a family more faithful than his in ministering to his every want. Of course he has been a care but they made it a loving one and will miss him all the more on that account.

The funeral was held at the house at 2 o’clock Saturday afternoon, Rev. S. W. Richards, of the Baptist church and Rev. A. J. Markley, of the Methodist church, officiating. The G.A.R. attended the funeral in a body and took charge of the services at the grave. The pall bearers were John McQuarrie, J. W. Newell, E. C. Jackson, Joe Parish, Joe S. Cook, and P. J. Gossard.

Deceased was born at Hillsboro, Albert county, New Brunswick, on April 13, 1837, and was of Scotch-German descent. He went to Boston, Mass., when a young man, and there enlisted in Co. E., 3rd Mass. cavalry. After his discharge as a sergeant at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas, on Sept. 28th, 1865, he returned to Hillsboro and was married to Miss Maria Martin on Nov. 4th, 1866. Two years later they moved to Omaha, Neb., and after a stay there of one year Mr. Gross took a homestead out in Grant township where he lived until he proved up.

In 1871 he sold the farm and moved to this city, going into the livery business, in which he remained until seized with the disease which caused his death. He had been frequently elected a member of the city council and in 1880 was elected sheriff of the county serving two terms. He also served six years as member of the county board from this city, and the accompanying cut was made from a picture of the entire board taken one day while they were in session.

Besides the wife Mr. Gross leaves two daughters, Mrs. Anna Stewart and Miss Frances Gross. Out of a family of two brothers and six sisters but one sister, Mrs. A. A. Blakeney, of Hillsboro, N. B., survives him. A nephew Miles Gross, of Omaha, and wife were here for the funeral, also a cousin, M. Steves, of Abilene, Kan.

Mr. Gross was made a Mason before he left the old home in Hillsboro and the only other order he belonged to was the G.A.R. which took charge of the funeral service.

~~~ Obituary courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair Public Library at Blair, Nebraska.~~~