Re: Groff Family History
GROFF, WILTGEN WICTOR, CROAT
Posted By: Vicki H (email) In Response To: Groff Family History (Kay Beck)
Date: 10/5/2005 at 22:52:38
Recently saw the query for the Groff family, my great-grandmother was Lena Beck Schwebach and I have several photos of her and siblings while they lived in the Ossian, IA area. Her parents were Michael and Catherine (Groff) Beck and they had 6 children- Mary, Lena, John P, Frank, Philomena, and Lenora. According to Catherine's obit, she and Michael were married in Chicago, but I've never been able to find out for sure. Their first child was born in Missouri and then they relocated to Des Moines, IA for a few years prior to moving to Ossian, IA. They remained here for quite some time until relocating to Remsen, IA where they were involved in a very successful mercantile business that resulted in many local "chains". I've never heard of any siblings names of Catherines or her parents names before. Lena Beck married my great-grandfather, J.P. Schwebach, in 1886 and they lived in Granville, IA. J.P. died in 1891 due to appendicitis, prior to their first child's birth. Lena never remarried. J.P.'s 2nd oldest brother was the well-known Bishop James Schwebach of La Crosse, WI; the only Luxembourg born bishop of the U.S. I don't know if I've ever made contact with you prior, but just thought I'd write and get any info on the Groff's. With the above mentioned Schwebach name, I'd be surprised if there wasn't a connection of some sort. Thanks, VH
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