Janie Amelia Gross was born September 10, 1897 in Gross, Gem, Idaho. Her Father, Gustav Adolph Gross was the founder of Gross Idaho, located on the upper Squaw Creek. Her Mother was Rebecca Annie Adolphin Cramer. Janie joined an older sister, Josephine Isabell Gross, born September 29, 1895. Two years later a brother, William Julius Gross, was born June 13, 1899. Another sister, Hester Annie Gross, born May 21, 1901. And 4 more brothers, Gustav Adolph Gross, born Jan. 28, 1904. Frank Moody Gross was born Jan. 14, 1906. Marvin Elden Gross was born Aug. 22, 1908. And years later Orvid Clifford Gross, was born July 2, 1921.
Janie married William Wallace Kimball on Christmas Day, Dec. 25, 1915. They were married in Gross, Idaho. And homesteaded on Second Fork near Kimball Creek in Gross, Idaho. Their first 2 children Marjorie (Oct. 22, 1918) and Robert Wallace Kimball (Apr. 21, 1923) were born while living in Gross, Idaho. They then moved to Emmett Idaho and farmed 80 acres on Star Lane. Earl Gustav was born Mar. 25, 1926, Jean Ann was born Feb. 3, 1929, Donald Lee was born Dec. 30, 1934, and Larry Dwight was born Mar. 12, 1938.
Janie worked at the OreIda Potato Plant for many years. She never drove a car and had to depend on others for her transportation. Janie was well known for her wonderful cooking abilities. Her grandchildren loved her cinnamon rolls and a neighbor child, Brenda Savage said, "Janie made the best chocolate chip cookies ever". The family worked hard, grew a big garden, raised cows and chickens, and always had a well stocked cellar.
In the late 70's Janie and her daughter, Marjorie sold the farm and moved to a home on Locust St. just east of Walter Knox Memorial Hospital. Janie's last few months were spent in the Shady Lane Rest Home. She passed away on April 7, 1990 and was buried in the Emmett Riverside Cemetery on April 10, 1990.