Shaver, F. A., Arthur P. Rose, R. F. Steele, and A. E. Adams, compilers. "An Illustrated History of Central Oregon." ("Embracing Wasco, Sherman, Gilliam, Wheeler, Crook, Lake, & Klamath Counties") Spokane, WA: Western Historical Publishing Co., 1905. p. 621. CHARLES W. GROSS is one of Gilliam, county's representative citizens, and his home is about two miles northwest from Condon. He possesses an estate of three hundred and forty acres of valuable land and has made it a productive and good farm. All improvements needed have been supplied and Mr. Gross is a skilled and successful farmer. He was born in Hawkins county, Ohio, on August 13, 1853, the son of Andrew and Sarah Gross. The mother died when this son was a small child. The father, who was born in Ohio, now dwells in Brownsville, Oregon. When our subject was very small, he accompanied his father to Dallas county, Iowa, where they resided until 1863. Then they crossed the plains with teams to California, and two years later they journeyed on to Linn county, Oregon. The father followed farming and mechanical work. Charles W. was educated in the various places where they resided, and in Brownsville he completed the training in this line. He had very poor privileges to study and secured his education only by virtue of determination and especial study. In 1871, he came with his father to Athena, Oregon, and remained with him until of age. Then he started in life for himself. His only capital was a pair of good, strong hands and an unswerving determination, to find a place and make a good home. He wrought on the farms around Athena for a time, and in 1886, believing better opportunities awaited him in the west, he came hither and located his present place as a homestead. He has added the balance of the estate by purchase since and made it a choice place. Mr. Gross is widely known in this part of the state and is a man in whom all have confidence. He is worthy of this distinction, owing to uprightness and uncompromising integrity, which characterize him. He has the faculty of making friends and keeping them, too, and his sagacity and excellent judgment give, him a prestige in the community that is enviable. Mr. Gross has three children, William, Bertha and Minnie. The pathway that Mr. Gross has trodden has been a very rough one at times, but he has always developed the sturdiness and stability requisite to overcome, and the result is that he deserves commendation much more than one who has smooth sailing. He started with hard work and has been an industrious man since and the habits of self-reliance and the resourcefulness developed by trying circumstances have rendered him a broadminded and deep thinking man. Withal, he has gained a good holding of property and is a leading man in the community. ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in June 2008 by Diana Smith. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.