BIO:  Michael Gross, York County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Kathy Francis

Copyright 2005.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/york/
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History of York County, Pennsylvania.  John Gibson, Historical Editor.
Chicago: F. A. Battey Publishing Co., 1886.
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Part II, Biographical Sketches, Manchester Township, Pg 136

MICHAEL GROSS, the third of six children of John and Barbara (Melhorn) Gross, of 
Manchester Township, was born January 15, 18--, in Manchester Township; he was 
reared on his father’s farm and followed farming for thirty years, when he 
retired.  He married Leah Hake, daughter of Jacob and Lydia (Miller) Hake, of 
Conewago Township; to this union were born Eliza, John W., Eli, Lydia, Sarah A., 
Louis and Leah.  The grandfather of the subject of this sketch was born in 
Germany, and located in Manchester Township, on the farm, where Jacob Free now 
resides, near Emigsville; after a short stay there he bought the farm where 
Benjamin Gross now lives, about one mile from the village of Manchester.  He 
bought this farm, February 8, 1777, from Frekerick Zorger, of Newberry Township.  
Samuel Gross, our subject’s grandfather, had two brothers, one settled in 
Lancaster County, the other near Hagerstown, Md.  Samuel settled in York County 
and had seven children:  George, Samuel, John, Daniel, Eve, wife of Michael 
Beltzhover, of Cumberland County, and one daughter, the wife of Rev. Schucker 
(deceased), of York; the other daughter was the wife of John Strayer, of Dover 
Township.  Our subject’s ancestors were among the earliest settlers of Manchester 
Township.  Mr. Gross is a prominent member of the Lutheran Church.