#1- Published in The Tribune April 19, 1928

Aged Pioneer Dies

Mrs. W. D. Gross Dies at Home of Daughter

Mrs. W. D. Gross, one of Washington county’s oldest settlers, died at her home in this city on Monday morning following an illness of several weeks duration. The deceased was born at St. John, New Brunswick, and was married to William Douglas Gross on November 15, 1865, at Hillsboro, New Brunswick. In 1868 she and her husband came to Omaha where the latter followed the carpenter trade until in 1869 he proved up on a homestead in Grant township in Washington county.

Four years later the family moved to Blair where the husband embarked in the hotel business which he followed for several years and later also became interested in different business enterprises. Mr. Gross died November 4, 1904. Both Mr. and Mrs. Gross were widely acquainted throughout the county, the husband having been active in politics and held several county offices. Mrs. Gross was of a kind disposition and was highly though of particularly because of her hospitality and her thoughtfulness to those who were deprived of active participation in the life of the community by reason of disability.

She leaves to mourn her loss two daughters, Mrs. Anna Stewart of this city and Miss Frances Gross, a principal in one of the Omaha schools and with whom the deceased had made her home during the past winter. She is also survived by two granddaughters, Mrs. L. D. Milliken of Ord, Nebraska, and Mrs. Raitt of California. Funeral services were held at 2:00 o’clock yesterday afternoon after which interment was made in Blair cemetery. A profusion of floral tributes was highly indicative of the high esteem in which she had been held by her many friends.

Maria Theresa (Martin) Gross

#2-Published in the Enterprise April 19, 1928

The passing of Mrs. W. D. Gross on last Monday, April 16, has caused an unmistakable feeling of sadness throughout the community. Although she had been an invalid for practically four years, her wide acquaintanceship brought many friends to her home and scarcely a day passed that one or more did not come to inquire after her and to sit and chat a while. Friendly by nature and sympathetic to those in need, she drew all friends to her and many happy hours have been spent in her home.

She had, but recently been brought back to Blair after spending the winter with her daughters who are teaching in Omaha schools and since her return had expressed herself as being delighted to be home again.

After a spell of the grippe, she took a sudden turn for the worse on Sunday, April 15 and her heart gave completely out at eight o’clock Monday morning.

Maria Theresa Gross was born July 18, 1846 at St. Johns, New Brunswick, Canada and would have been eighty-two years of age had she lived until July. She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Martin, both of whom died when she was but a small child.

She was married to Wm. D. Gross at Hillsboro, New Brunswick, Nov. 16, 1865. In 1869 they came to Washington County, Neb. locating in Grant Township on a homestead and here they lived as all pioneer families lived, enduring the trials and discouragements and hardships of pioneer life but rearing their little family and looking forward to the better things in life.

They moved to Blair in 1871 and in the early eighties her husband was elected as sheriff of Washington County and served the public faithfully and well for a number of years. The family lived where the court house now stands and much interesting history of Blair and Washington County was in the making which Mrs. Gross could recount in an entertaining way years after when friends would talk on early days.

Mr. and Mrs. Gross had three children, two daughters, Anna, Mrs. J H. Stewart and Miss Frances of Blair and a son George, who died when two years of age. She is also survived by two granddaughters, Mrs. L. D. Milliken of Ord, Neb. and Mrs. J. A. Raitt of Pas Robles, California. There are three great grandsons; James Stewart Milliken, Lyle David Milliken and Robert LaMont Raitt.

She had received word but recently of the death of her sister, Mrs. Margaret Anna Reed, at the age of eight-six years at Nashville, New Hampshire.

The deceased was a member the Methodist Church, also a member of McKinley Chapter, Order of Eastern Star and Woman’s Relief Corps of this city.

Funeral services were held at the home Wednesday, April 18, at 2:30 P.M. with Rev. C. G. Bader officiating.

A large circle of friends were present testifying to the love and esteem in which she was held by all who knew her. A profusion of beautiful flowers added tribute to her memory.

Interment was made in the local cemetery beside her husband who passed away many years ago.

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