Andrew Boss, an early settler in Gillford Township, and at one time one of the leading citizens of Wabasha County, was born in Kinross, Scotland, July 6, 1835, and came to America at the age of 17 years. For two years he remained in New York City, being employed as clerk in a drug store. He then came west and at Janesville, Wis., about 1859, he met and married Jeanette Nesbit. In 1863 Mr. Boss came with his wife to Wabasha County, Minnesota, buying a homestead claim on section 15, Gillford Township. The place was but slightly improved, only a small part of the land being broken, the house being a shack, and straw sheds in use as a substitute for stables. Mr. Boss at once started to develop a good farm, erecting a substantial house and other buildings. He worked hard, made good progress, and was very successful as a farmer. For a long period he served as town clerk, and in time acquired such local popularity that he was elected to the state legislature, in which he served for two years, in politics being a Democrat. He died on the farm August 22, 1897, and was survived by his wife, who passed away in 1905, also on the old homestead. Their children were as follows: Marcia, now Mrs. A. H. Lamb of Oak Center; Jean, wife of J. E. Knight of Sherwood, Ore.; Andrew, an instructor in the Minnesota Agricultural College at St. Paul; William, who holds a similar position there; Bessie, deceased, who was the wife of E. M. Auding of Dumont, Minn.; James of Zumbro Falls, Minn.; Alexander of Sherwood, Ore.; David, now proprietor of the old home farm in Gillford Township; John, who is deceased, and two others who died in infancy."

"History of Wabasha County Minnesota,"
compiled by Franklyn Curtiss-Wedge and others,
H. C. Cooper, Jr. & Company,
Winona, Minnesota, 1920,
pp. 706-707)

Bio contributed by Kathryn Hill (#47225156)