My Genealogy Hound

JOSEPH W. GROFF. Jacob Groff (grandfather) was an early settler in Salford township, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania. He was all his life a farmer. He was a man of good business ability and stood high in the community. He married a Miss Heebner. One of his children was Joseph, the father of Joseph W. Groff, who was born in the old homestead in Salford township. Educated in the ordinary schools, he became a farmer, and later took up the manufacture of linseed oil, in which he was very successful, and accumulated considerable money. In politics he was an earnest Republican, and very active in support of the principles and policy of the party. He married Catharine Wagner, of Upper Salford township, and the couple had twelve children. Joseph W. Groff was one of them.

Joseph W. Groff was born on the farm occupied at the time by his parents in Upper Salford township, November 19, 1821. He was educated in the neighboring schools, and after leaving school engaged in agricultural pursuits, and still later continued the business of his father-the manufacture of linseed oil, and was even more successful in this line of work than was his father. He continued the oil making business until 1867, when he removed to his present home in Souderton, where he has since resided, living a retired life. He married, in 1848, Hannah Dimmig, daughter of Peter Dimmig, a farmer of Frederick township. She is also living and enjoys good health. The couple had two children, both of whom are deceased-Amelia, who married Jacib Leidy, they having one son; and Diana, who died young. In politics Mr. Groff is a Republican, although he never sought or held office. He and his wife attend the Reformed church. He is the oldest man in the borough of Souderton, and is highly honored by all who know him.