Pilot Tribune July 10, 1952 Blair, Nebraska

Frank Bross Is Dead, Long Time Auctioneer

One of Blair's veteran businessmen died last Thursday G. F. Or Frank Bross, 77, an auctioneer here better than half a century died shortly before noon Thursday at Clarkson Hospital in Omaha. Although in failing the health the past few years Mr. Bross has been able to carry his usual duties. He conducted his final auction at his Blair auction house on south Walker Avenue only the weekend prior to his death.

Mr. Bross was a lifetime resident of the Blair community and once was associated for many years with the late J. P. Jensen in the auctioning business. The firm being known as Jensen and Bross. Mr. Bross for many years was an active member of the Blair Chamber of Commerce.

George Frank Bross, son of John H. and Matilda Ann Bross was born in the Sutherland district near Blair November 29, 1874. He attended the Blair schools. He and Mary Ellen Gilliland were married in 1897. To them were born three children prior to her death. In 1919 Mr. Bross was married to Ella Reinhard, formerly of West Point. who was a schoolteacher here. The couple has worked for years at Walker Avenue and Colfax Street.

The body was moved to Campbell Mortuary. Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Sunday at the first Methodist Church. Members of the I.O.O.F., who attended the funeral as a group, in charge of the graveside rituals in Blair Cemetery.

Mr. Bross is survived by his wife, Ella; a son, Raymond Bross of Omaha; a daughter, Mrs. Ruth Niehaus of Holdrege and three grandchildren. There are also three surviving sisters, Mrs. Will Ryan, Mrs. Sylvia Cylss both of Omaha and Mrs. Eugene Spiker of Fort Collins, Colorado and a brother, Arthur Bross of Omaha.

~ ~ ~ Thanks to Kenneth Funk (#46842354) for the obituary and additional family details ~ ~ ~


Per the National Archives; George Franklin, G.F. and Frank were all forms of his given name which were used on one census's, WWI draft card, U.S. and Nebraska Census forms.

On Nov. 12, 1918, he was described on his draft card as tall, medium-built, with grey eyes and black hair. At that early time he described himself as a farmer/auctioneer, and listed his closest relative as John H. Bross, his brother. He was self-employed at the time, and no longer at the same Blair address as his father.

At the time of the Nebraska Census (June, 1885), Frank was 11 years old and in school. That was possibly the last year he attended school, because the highest grade he completed was 6th grade.

In 1940 G.F. lived at 100 East Colfax, in Blair. He was working 48 hours a week as an auctioneer, and he had worked 52 weeks in the previous year. He was born in Nebraska. ~ From Ms. B, (#47910340)

Buried: 7/6/1952 ~ Age: 78

George Franklin Bross and Mary Ellen Gilliland were married on January 1, 1896 in Washington County, Nebraska ~ Source: Washington County Deed Books; Book 5, Page 284
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