Groth, John

GROTH, SPIER

Posted By: Roseanna Zehner
Date: 7/21/2006 at 22:05:32

GROTH, JOHN

John Groth, who is now engaged in tilling the soil of Lyon County, Iowa, has won for himself an honorable standing among its honorable and industrious farmers.

He was born in Germany December 18, 1864, a son of John Groth. The father was born and bred a farmer in Germany, but removed to this state in 1893, settling at Alvord, where he died. He was a veteran of the German war of 1848, and is remembered as a man of more than the usual force of character and intelligence.

The subject of this article received his education in the public schools of his native land, and when he was nineteen years of age sought a home in this country. He first set foot on American soil in New York City, but hastened on to friends in eastern Iowa, where for some four years he found employment as a farm laborer. Later on he started in farming for himself, and in 1898 bought a farm in Lyon County, on which he at once located, and which remains his home to the present time.

In the month of October 1892, Mr. Groth was married to Miss Katje Spier. She was born in England May 16, 1868, and came to the United States in 1876. To this union have come the following children: Flossie, Carrie, Nellie, Mabel and Alfreda, --all natives of Lyon County.

Mr. Groth is a Democrat, and has served on the school board. His progress toward a competency and financial independence has been rapid. He has never been afraid of the hardest work, and by the exercise of that thrift and prudence that are inherited characteristics, he has already become forehanded. He owns a choice quarter section of land in Sioux Township, on which he has erected very comfortable buildings, and has a fine grove.

Source: Compendium of History Reminiscence and Biography of Lyon County, Iowa. Published under the Auspices of the Pioneer Association of Lyon County. Geo. Monlun, Pres.; Hon. E. C. Roach Sec’y; and Col. F. M. Thompson, Historian. Geo. A. Ogle & CO., Published, Engravers and Book Manufacturers. Chicago, 1904-1905

Transcribed by Roseanna Zehner, Darlene Jacoby and Diane Johnson