The subject of this sketch was born in Enfield, Hampshire county, Massachusetts, April 14, 1790. In the year 1816 he united in marriage with Harriet Harwood, who was a native of the same place, and born November 28, 1796. The fruits of this union were five children, two sons and three daughters, of whom but two are now living, Harriet E. Wright, of Springfield, Oakland County, and Alfred Gross, of Lafayette, Gratiot county, Michigan. Jonah Gross came to Michigan the 1st of May, 1832,. and located government land in Springfield township, and the following October he removed his family to his purchase. At that time there was but one other settler in the town. The land which Mr. Gross located in 1832 is still in possession of the family. Death took from him his companion May 19, 1842, but he took another helpmeet, Julia A. Keeler, December 28, 1843. One child, still living, was the result of this marriage. Mr. Gross took a prominent part in the affairs of his township, and held nearly all the various town offices up to the time of his death. He died January 16, 1858, aged nearly sixty-eight years. Julia, his second wife, died December 26, 1866, aged forty-seven years and ten months.