Cumberland County, Maine - Hon. Sewall Gross
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Biography
Hon. Sewall Gross
Biographical Review
Cumberland County, Maine
Boston
Biographical Review Publishing Company
1896
Page 498-499


Hon. Sewall Gross, a prominent Justice of the Peace and an ex-Representative of
the State legislature, now living in retirement in Upper Gloucester, was born in
New Gloucester May 21, 1809. His parents were Isaac and Sarah (Woodman) Gross.
The father, a shoemaker by trade, was born in Hingham, Mass., on August 27,
1763. He came to New Gloucester when he was seventeen years of age, and there
remained, being engaged in farming until his death in 1827. The mother died in
1814.  They had seven children, namely: Betsey, born March 10, 1793, who married
Henry R. Parsons, now deceased; Isaac, born December 5, 1795, who successively
married Percis N. Davis and Maria Bearce,of Turner, Me., and died on January 12,
1891, leaving a widow, now residing in Auburn, Me.; Sallie, born December 7,
1798, who died on October 30, 1815; Otis C.,born September 21, 1800, who married
Sallie Nelson, both now deceased, his death having occurred July 18, 1849;
Annie, born June 12, 1803, who died May 21, 1821; Abigail, born October 5, 1805,
who successively married Isaac Curtis, of Richmond, Me., and Joseph Freeman, and
died July 5, 1879; and Sewall, the subject of this sketch.

The Hon. Sewall Gross, after completing his school education, was engaged in the
mercantile business in New Gloucester, associated with Joseph Cross as partner
for about twenty years. His interest in the enterprise thereafter continued for
the balance of sixty years, during thirty of which he was Postmaster. He was
Selectman and Collector for a number of years; and in 1857 he was a
Representative to the State legislature. Mr. Gross was Justice of the Peace for
thirty-five years. In politics he has been a stanch Republican since the
organization of the party. He is also actively interested in the temperance
cause, being a member of the Society of Good Templars in this town.

Mr. Gross was twice married. His first wife, whom he led to the altar on
November 14, 1836, was Louisa N. (Parsons) Gross, a native of North Yarmouth,
Me., born August 22, 1815, daughter of David and Mary (Bacon) Parsons. Her
father belonged in Poland, Me., where he was engaged in farming until his death.
The mother belonged in North Yarmouth, Me. Mrs. Gross had four children. These
were: David S., born August 13, 1837, who died in infancy; Charles S., born May
5, 1839, who married Cornelia J. Cook, and is living in Auburn, N.Y.; George P.,
born December 20, 1840, who married Georgiana M. Harlow, and resides in Newton,
Mass.; Jabez Henry Cushman, born August 27, 1842, who married Mary J. Boone, of
Chicago, and died June 15, 1886, leaving a widow, since a resident of Chicago.
On November 10, 1844, Mr. Gross married his first wife's sister, Caroline E.
Parsons, also a native of North Yarmouth, born August 7, 1822. Mr. Gross and his
present wife are the parents of three children -Grenville M., Frank Leslie, and
Otis Crosby. Grenville M., who was born May 24, 1846, was twice married, Ella G.
Ross being the first wife, and Miss Eugenia Schofield the second; he now lives
with the latter in Chicago, Ill. Frank Leslie, born November 30, 1847, entered
matrimony with Mary Ellen Woodard; and they live in Newton, Mass. Otis Crosby
Gross, born in January 18, 1852, died on August 4, 1854. The surviving children
of Mr. Gross had the advantage of a high-school education. Both parents are
highly esteemed members of the Baptist church. In the retirement Mr. Gross now
enjoys, having done his duty well, he must find much pleasure in retrospection.