The late Capt. Johann Jacob Groos, a man of fine intelligence and great strength of character, was well known throughout the State of Texas as one of her most respected and influential pioneers. He was a native of Germany, born at Offenbach, March 6, 1824 ; received good schooling and learned civil engineering. He came to America with a young wife and landed at Indianola as a member of the German Emigration Company's party, who were the pioneers of their day, and who did so much to open and develop the portion of the State of Texas in which they settled. He brought little with him to this country besides a stout heart, a strong constitution, a large stock of enterprise and grit, and a willing and ready helpmeet. He early took up surveying and had much to do with the location and surveying of lands in Comal, Bexar, Kendall and adjoining counties. He lived many years at New Braunfels where he held the office of county surveyor of Comal County. In the meantime he also engaged in farming. During the late war he served as Captain of Confederate militia, and in that capacity aided in checking Indian depredations on the frontier. From 1869 to 1872 he kept the Guadalupe Hotel at New Braunfels and was a popular host. He was then elected Commissioner of the General Land Office of the State of Texas, in which position he served the people until his death, which occurred at Austin in 1878 in his fifty-fourth year. His wife died two years earlier, in 1876, at fifty-two years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Groos left seven children, all born in Texas. Otto, forty-eight years of age, the oldest living, is a banker, farmer and successful business man at Kyle, Texas. Herman is a farmer near Kyle. Emma is the wife of Mr. George Schnabel, and resides with her husband at Burnet. August, forty-two years of age, holds a position in the office of the State Comptroller of Public Accounts. William, forty years of age, is a farmer and stock-raiser at Munroe, Oregon. Martin E., thirty-five years of age, is chief clerk in the General Land Office of the State of Texas. Annie is the wife of Mr. Joseph Mayer, a well- known broker at San Antonio.
During his entire career, Mr. Groos was noted for his excellent abilities, strict integrity, loyalty to his friends, and constancy, and was in every way a most exemplary citizen. He transmitted these excellent characteristics to his sons, all of whom have assumed places of honor and trust and have sustained the family name. (Indian Wars and Pioneers of Texas, by John Henry Brown, Published by L. E. Daniell, Austin, Texas, 1880

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