John Groff, Pioneer Resident of Winona, Dies at Age of 87; Was Proprietor of Brick Yards. John Groff, 87 years old, retired proprietor and owner of the Voelker brick yards in West Burns valley, early settler, and pioneer business man of Winona county, died at 11:30 p. m. yesterday at the home of his daughter, Mrs. J. E. Voelker, in West Burns valley. Mr. Groff came to Winona in 1870 and in 1871 he started the making of brick in East Burns valley. He operated this business until 1882 when he retired temporarily. In 1884 he launched the brick manufacturing plant which is now operated by Jacob Voelker and Louis Groff. He was born in 1838, three miles from Luxenburg. When he was eight years of age the family came to America, going directly to Kenosha, Wis. In the spring of 1847 the family moved to Washington county, Wis. A lad, John went to East Dubuque to learn the making of brick with an uncle. In 1860 he went to Milwaukee and (in) 1861 he returned to East Dubuque where he started his own brick manufacturing business. He afterwards sold out his business and came to Winona in 1870. In 1861 he was married to Katherine Smith. Ten children were born to them. Mrs. Groff died in 1876. He is survived by three daughters, Mrs. J. E. Voelker, Miss Anna Groff, both of Winona, and Mrs. Theodore Goeden of Wausau, Wis., and two sons, Louis E. Groff of Sugar Loaf and Michael Groff of Kansas City, Mo. Funeral services will be held Saturday morning at 9 o’clock at St. Joseph’s church. Rt. Rev. John Meier will officiate and burial will be made in St. Mary’s cemetery. (The Winona Republican-Herald, Thursday, January 29, 1925, Page 9)