Daniel N. Gross was born December 11, 1837, in Lisle Township, Cook County, Illinois, the son of Johann George Conrad Gross and Salome Dather.
He attended the district schools until the age of thirteen.
Daniel’s occupation was that of Joiner, serving as John Collins’ apprentice. Later he was employed as a Merchant.
Daniel also was a Civil War veteran, serving in Co. E, 8th Illinois Cavalry and was an orderly to General Sumner. He took part in the Battles of Yorktown, Williamsburg, Chickahominy, Fair Oaks and Savage Station; and was one of the eyewitnesses to the sea battle of the Merrimac and Monitor. Daniel was wounded on June 30, 1862, in the Battle of White Oak Swamp, the wounds requiring the amputation of his right foot.
Upon his return to Naperville after the war, he served as DuPage County Treasurer from 1863 to 1868.
Daniel married Mary E. Dudley January 4, 1864, in Naperville. They were the parents of Bertha C., who married Robert Billings Tripp; and then Edward Delaben Disbrow, Cheney Castle, Dean Dudley, Mary S., and Fred Augustus.
In 1869 Daniel was appointed Naperville Postmaster and served until 1881. The citizens of Naperville held Daniel in such esteem that they presented him with a gold watch and chain as a token of their appreciation for his work as Postmaster.
He then bought and operated a mercantile business in Brownsville, Missouri, for several years.
In 1883 Daniel moved to Yankton, South Dakota, where he became associated with Dudley and Richey in the hardware business.
Daniel was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic Phil Kearney Post in Yankton. He was elected as Yankton County Auditor in 1888. Daniel was a member of the Masonic Oriental Consistory in Yankton as well as the First Congregational Church of Yankton. He was raised as a Master Mason in Euclid Lodge No. 65 on February 22, 1865.
Daniel N. Gross died November 28, 1889, in Yankton, Yankton County, South Dakota, and his remains were returned to Naperville and buried in the Naperville Cemetery.
