Elwood Harrison Gross

University of Maryland October 6, 1988

Broke a leg during Army service playing ball.

Children would be encouraged to purchase stamps from school to support the government, the children's version of war savings bonds. - The cover is an ornately decorated paper sheet, with an image of an eagle holding the USA flag. "For the purchase of United States war savings bonds." - The first page, describing the rules for the book and the name for who the book belongs to - in this case, Elwood Gross. Affixed in the specified places are 'America on guard' 10 cent U.S. Postal Savings stamps. - Filled up to the $4.10 spot, these stamps are slightly different - they read "United States War Savings 10 cents" and have an engraving of a colonial looking man holding a rifle on it. - A short blurb describing the US Government's obligation to fulfill the value of the stamps.

Wilmer Gross with daughters, Delphine and Maxine in front of family home in Lakeland.

Elwood Harrison Gross, the son of George Henry and Agnes Gross, was born in his parents' home on Cloud Avenue in Lakeland. After attending school in Lakeland, he graduated from St. Paul's College in Lawrenceville Virginia, after which he was drafted in 1957. He served with the U.S. Seventh Army's 569th Ordnance Company in Germany as a tank mechanic.

Elwood Gross grade 5 of Lakeland Elementary School with teacher B.R. Walters for the 1945-46 school year

1945-46 School year photo

Letter sent by Harry Braxton Sr. during his army service in Germany during World War II. The letter was to his cousin and godson Elwood Gross in Lakeland. Braxton also sent along a photograph. It is item #01784. Item 1031 is also from that period.

Elwood Gross riding a tricycle watched over by his cousin Rudolph Gross

Soldier's letter home during World War II. Written by Harry Braxton in Germany to his godson, and first cousin, Elwood Gross

On Pierce Avenue

Letter from Harry Braxton Sr to godson, Elwood Gross in Lakeland written in Germany dated 1/26/45

An oral history interview conducted with Elwood Gross by Eli Pousson as part of an IMPART funded oral history research project.

Elwood Gross working at kitchen table at home on Pierce Avenue. Mr. Gross is wearing University of Maryland Physical Plant uniform of gray slacks, white shirt and maroon windbreaker jacket with university crest.

Two generations of his family preceded Elwood H. Gross as an employee at the University of Maryland. In earlier years, opportunities open to African Americans were limited. With the removal of racial barriers and his hard work, Gross rose from being an automobile mechanic's apprentice to the position of associate director of the Physical Plant. In 1988, Gross (second from left) was one of several recipients of the Associate Staff Award.

Bottom row left to right: Leon Thomas, Floyd Brown, Hurley Brooks, William "Junebug" Fields, Willie Lee Rita, Tommy Hill, Elwood Gross (Maxine's father); Middle row, left to right: Clarice Briscoe, Elmore Adams, Dorris Prayther, Edward Dory, Helen Prayther (Dorris's sister), Emma Dory, Mary Jackson, James Weems, Jean (Ann) Gray; Top row left to right: Catherine Walls, didn't remember, Mary Douglass, Carl Cager, Mary Hamilton, Percy Power, Margaret Anderson. Written in cursive on the back of the photo: "The picture belong[sic] to Clarice M. Briscoe."

Grounds of Home of George Henry and Agnes Gross Seated are from left to right Harry Braxton, Sr, Elwood Gross and Emma Harrison

seated

In a studio portrait as a young boy wearing knee boots and jodhpurs

Letter to Elwood Gross advising him of award to be given by the University of Maryland for his exceptional service

Harry Braxton, Sr and Elwood Gross. During a BBQ at the home of George Henry and Agnes Gross. When required to leave his home in eastern Lakeland Braxton built a new home on a lot next door.

At University of Maryland Physical Plant

Delpine and Maxine Gross ride pony during event at Embry AME Church In addition to good, home-cooked food and the opportunity to visit with friends and family members, on this day in 1963 there was the added attraction of pony rides. Here Delphine and Maxine Gross share a ride, Their father Elwood is barely seen here overseeing the operation along with Mildred Gray. The pony is lead by Lester Gray.

US Army

Emma Harrison, Elwood Gross and Harry Braxton, Sr.

1946-47 school year picture

Report card for Elwood Harrison Gross report card from 1946. According to Maxine Gross, he was not the best scholar. He told stories of skipping school the first day. His mother said when asked what he wanted to be when he grew up he told people he wanted to be "a fix it" A Pupil's report card for Elwood Gross's fifth grade year in 1945-1946. He passed onto sixth grade. He received fairly low marks - mainly C's, with some D's and B's mixed in. The back of the report card is signed by Agnes Gross. Teacher was B. R. Waters

US Army

Elwood Gross wearing his University of Maryland Physical Plant Uniform

Transport Germany during US Army Service

Behind the scenes of graduations are a team of people who prep the room for the ceremony. Mr. Elwood Gross and Mr. Earle Connors set and prepared the Cole Field House for several graduation ceremonies that day.