Biographical Sketches
COL. GEORGE PEERY GROSS
To the successful business man certain traits of character are indispensable. He must be the possessor of industry, enterprise, the power of management and of keen discrimination. But a man may have all these essential characteristics and gain prosperity, while his standing in the community may not be the most enviable. Mr. Gross, however, has won success in these lines, and at the same time there has been a fairness in his dealings that commands the respect and confidence, while his prosperity excites the admiration of all. He is now at the head of an extensive trade, as a manufacturer's agent, handling hardware specialties and selling manufacturers' goods to jobbers, his headquarters being in the American Bank building of Kansas City.
Mr. Gross was born in Van Buren, Arkansas, November 21, 1847, and is a son of George Gross, a native of Pennsylvania, who was a real-estate owner and dealer. He descends from a family that has borne a prominent part in the military history of the country. His great-grandfather ws one of the heroes of the Revolution. His grandfather, Jacob S. Gross, of Allegheny, Pennsylvania, was a soldier in the War of 1812, and his father displayed his bravery by is service in the Confederate army.
Our subject left school at the age of 14 to join the Confederate army under General Steele, and was employed as a courier in the Indian Territory to carry dispatches to General Stanwatee, a Cherokee, and to General Cooper, commander of the division in that territory. Mr. Gross was thus employed for 7 months, when he went to Arkansas with Missouri troops and took part in the campaign against General Banks in the Red river expedition. He acted as courier for General Parsons, in command of the Missouri troops, and was orderly at the battle of Saline river. He then started to join General Price, but instead joined Brown's ranges, in southern Missouri and northwestern Arkansas, participating in the battle of Fayetteville. He afterward went to Texas, and in the Spring of 1865, joined General Fagen's escort at Louisville, Arkansas. He afterward started for Mexico with Shelby's brigade, but near Austin, Texas, his horse was made lame, and he returned to Little Rock. For 3 years he served in the army, and was bur once injured, receiving a slight flesh wound at Pleasant Hill.
When the war was over, Mr. Gross returned to Van Buren, Arkansas, where he engaged in merchandising, with fair success, until 1874, when he came to Kansas City and secured a position as traveling salesman for the firm of Duncan, Wyeth, Hene & Company. He traveled extensively in Nebraska, Kansas, the Indian Territory, Colorado, Utah, Arizona, Texas and old Mexico. He worked up a new trade and won a high standing with the company. He continued with the successors of that firm, the Hall & Willis Hardware Company, until 1885, when he entered the employ of the Kansas City Hardware Company, just organized, taking charge of their sales department and putting upon the road many traveling salesmen. His management contributed in no small measure to the success of the new enterprise. After 2 years, however, he began business on his own account as manufacturers' agent, and has built up an extensive trade. To the business he gives his entire attention, and it is now very satisfactory. He is also interested in mines and is president of the Electric Cash Carry & Change Maker Company, capitalized at $500,000. He is also vice-president of the Nopal Mining & Milling Company, owners of a large silver mine in Old Mexico, which, however, is not in operation at the present time.
On the 18th of December, 1889, Colonel Gross was united in marriage with Miss Martha V., daughter of Rev. John D. Vincil, of St. Louis, Missouri. She is a lady of culture and acquired her eduction in Columbia and St. Joseph, Missouri. They have a very pleasant home at No. 3200 Windsor avenue. Our subject continues his interest in military affairs through his connection with the 3rd regiment of Missouri national guards. In 1891 he was appointed regimental quartermaster; later resigned and was elected 1st lieutenant in t he artillery service; subsequently was appointed quartermaster and soon was elected lieutenant colonel of the regiment. When Colonel Simonds resigned, in October, 1895, Mr. Gross was elected his successor, and is now in command of the regiment. He is the only ex-Confederate in the regiment. In politics Colonel Gross is a democrat and socially is a Royal Arch Mason.
Colonel Gross is a nephew of the late Mrs. Mary Peery, who at one time owned all the property north of 12th street, and who was one among the first settlers of Kansas City. Her husband was a Methodist minister, and preached to the Indians before there was any settlement here. Colonel Gross also has the deed to Hot Springs, Arkansas, which was handed down from his grandfather, Andrew Peery, and dated 1812, and which was purchased from a Spaniard by the name of Moran; and the deed was recorded in Natchez,
Mississippi. The Colonel is in a good way some time in the near future to be prepared to press his claims.
This page was last updated August 2, 2006.