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 1843 - 1932 (88 years)
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| Name |
Elizabeth Tombow |
| Born |
15 Oct 1843 |
E. Lampeter Twp., Lancaster Co., PA  |
| Gender |
Female |
| Died |
5 Mar 1932 |
Marshalltown, IA |
| Buried |
Riverside Cemetery, Marshalltown, IA |
| Person ID |
I04324 |
Tombeau Family Tree |
| Last Modified |
24 Feb 2007 |
| Father |
William Herzkey Tombow, b. 6 Jul 1813, Lampeter, Lancaster Co. PA , d. 18 Apr 1865, Sterling, Whiteside Co. IL (Age 51 years) |
| Mother |
Elizabeth Rohrer, b. 13 Jul 1818, Lancaster Co, PA , d. 29 Mar 1853, E. Lampeter, Lancaster Co, PA (Age 34 years) |
| Married |
Abt 1838 |
Lancaster Co, PA |
| Family ID |
F1356 |
Group Sheet | Family Chart |
| Family |
Emanuel Miles Groff, b. 23 May 1845, Lancaster Co., PA , d. 7 Mar 1910, Marshalltown, IA (Age 64 years) |
| Married |
28 Jan 1869 |
Whiteside Co., IL |
| Children |
| + | 1. Arthur Lee Groff, b. 5 Sep 1870, Sterling, Whiteside Co., IL , d. 24 Mar 1964, Boone, Iowa (Age 93 years) |
| | 2. Berenice Clarissa Groff, b. 20 Nov 1872, Sterling, Whiteside County, IL , d. 23 May 1966, Boone, Iowa (Age 93 years) |
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| Family ID |
F1619 |
Group Sheet | Family Chart |
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| Notes |
- The Descendants of Elizabeth Tombow and Emanuel Miles Groff
II-3: Elizabeth Tombow was the third child of William Tombow, Jr., and Elizabeth Rohrer of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Her grave stone in Marshalltown, Iowa indicates she was born 15 October 1843. She died at the age of 88 on 5 March 1932 in Marshalltown, Iowa, and is buried in Riverside Cemetery in that city. She was probably named after her mother. Her paternal grandparents were William Tombos, who immigrated to this country from the Netherlands in 1802, and Mary Herzkey, of German descent.
There are three records that indicate that Elizabeth Tombow was the daughter of William Tombow, Jr.: the Lancaster County 1852-55 register of Births, Marriages, and Deaths, where she is recorded in the birth record of her younger brother, William. She is also mentioned as his heir in the Letter of Administration filed in 1865 in the Whiteside County, IL, Circuit Court. Thirdly, she is mentioned as his heir in papers filed in 1904 by David Kauffman in the Whiteside County Circuit Court against the heirs of William Tombow in order to obtain clear title to William's property 39 years after his death.
Our first sight of Elizabeth Tombow is found in the 1850 Federal Census of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, where she is recorded mistakenly as age 9 in the household of Abraham Rohrer, perhaps a maternal uncle.
The entry was taken on 14 August 1850 in Manheim Township in Lancaster County, PA, dwelling #14:
Abraham Rohrer, age 33, laborer, born in PA, real estate valued at $10,000 Barbra Rohrer, age 24 years
Elias Rohrer, age 5 years
Samuel Meking, 12 years
Elizabeth Tombo, age 9 years, not in school in the last year
Jacob Bunsdorfer, age 21 years, blacksmith
Elizabeth's father was quite adept at farming his children out to other people for their care and upkeep. In this same census, her older brother is located both in his paternal grandfather's household and then in the household of a farmer named John Weaver. Her other brothers and sisters are likewise dispersed throughout Lancaster County.
In 1853, when Elizabeth was only 9 or 10, her mother died. Her father was quick to remarry to a woman named Fanny. He sold his land in 1853 and went West to Whiteside County, IL, in 1856, according to his daughter, Lydia Tombow Fluck. Whether Elizabeth was one of the children brought along, or left behind for a while is not known.
However, in the 1860 Federal Census of Whiteside County, IL, like all of her other brothers and sisters, she is not found in the household of her father but that of a stranger, a deacon in the Mennonite Church. The entry is in Jordan township (p.104). Her name contorted to read as "Elizabeth Tornbow" in the nearly illegible hand of the census taker.
Ephraim Hendricks, age 35, $2,550 in real estate, $600 in personal property
Mary Hendricks, age 35 (?) born in PA
Allen Hendricks, age 10 years, male, born in PA
B.F. Hendricks, age 9 years, male, born In PA
John Hendricks, age 5 years, male, born in PA
Charles Hendricks, age 1 year, male, born in PA
John Schuler, age 21 years, farm laborer, born Baden Germany
Elizabeth Tornbow, age 17, domestic, born in PA
Whiteside County, IL, Court Records indicate that "Lizzie" Tombow married Emanuel Groff on 28 January 1869 (Lic. No. 2240).
Emanuel Groff was born 23 May 1845 in Lancaster County, PA, according to his grave stone and military papers.
The following information is found in the Civil War pension papers of Emanuel Miles Groff. He enlisted at the age 18, on 29 June 1863 in the City of Lancaster, PA, with the rank of private in Co. F or the 50th Regiment of the Pennsylvania Volunteers on the side of the Union. He mustered out less than two months later on 15 August 1863 at Camp Calwalader, Philadelphia, PA. He re-enlisted in the Pennsylvania Independent Light Artillery, Battery "I", in the City of Lancaster on 29 August 1864 with the rank of private. He was declared disabled on 15 August 1864 due to chronic tonsillitis and deafness in the right ear, and given an honorable discharge in Philadelphia on 23 June 1865.
His pension papers indicate that Emanuel was 5 feet five inches tall at maturity, had grey eyes, dark complexion and dark hair.
On 28 March 1899 he applied for a pension based upon a double hernia, incapacitating him for work, for which he received a $12 per month stipend until his death in 1910.
In 1865, at the age of 20, He left Lancaster County, PA and settled in the city of Sterling, Whiteside County, IL. The 1870 Federal Census for Whiteside County, IL, indicates he was a drayman.(Sterling, entry 45/45)
Their first child, Arthur Lee Groff was born in Whiteside County, IL, on 5 September 1870 and their second child, Berenice Clarissa Groff was also born there on 20 November 1872.
In 1874, Emanuel moved with his young children, ages 4 and 2, and his wife, Lizzie, to Marshalltown, Iowa, where he lived the rest of his life.
Emanuel was employed as a janitor at the Union Station in Marshalltown for many years where he was a familiar figure according to his obituary in the Marshalltown Times-Republican of 10 March 1910. Later he worked for the Marshalltown Trowel Company. Emanuel and his wife Lizzie lived at 418 E. Nevada St. (This home no longer exists) until about a year before he succumbed to his final illness, cancer of the liver on 7 March 1910. He spent his last days in the home of his daughter, Berenice whop lived at 411 North First St. He expired at 1:30 in the afternoon according to his obituary. He is buried in the Riverside Cemetery in Marshalltown beside his wife. His grave is marked with a stone.
His widow, Lizzie Tombow Groff, lived on another two years.
Emanuel Miles Groff and Elizabeth Tombow had two children: Arthur Lee Groff and Berenice Clarissa Groff.
II-3-1: Arthur Lee Groff, the older of the two children of Emanuel Miles Groff and Elizabeth Tombow, was born in Sterling, IL, on 5 September 1870. When he was four years old, his parents moved with him and his younger sister Berenice to Marshalltown, Iowa, according to his father's Civil War pension papers.
A few days past his twentieth birthday, on 17 September 1890 he married at Marshalltown, IA, Jennie Irene Harris, born 8 June 1872 (Poll Tax Index 1934), the daughter of Benjamin Harris and Virginia Armstrong (Death Certificate).
They took up residence in Boone, Iowa, in about 1904, according to city directories, where they remained the rest of their lives. They resided at 422 Cedar in Boone from 1904 to 1914-15; at 825 13th from 1915 to 1924-25; at 1115 Greene until 1928-29; then at 1201 Carst; then in 1936 they are again on Cedar Street at no. 109; then back to Garst (1417); in 1947 they are living at 320 Cedar; finally from 1956-61 Arthur lives 309 14th.
Jennie Irene Harris Groff died at the age of 85 in the Tryon Nursing Home, 309 14th St., on 23 December 1957 of a combination of heart attacks, strokes and senility (Death Certificate). She was buried in Riverside Cemetery in Marshalltown, Iowa.
Her obituaries published in the 24 December 1957 and 14 January 1958 Boone News-Republican indicate she was born in Marshalltown, Iowa, where she was raised and attended the public schools. She joined the Methodist Church as a young girl and was active in its activities all of her life. She was a member of the Berean Sunday School Class and the Woman's Society of Christian Service. She also belonged to the Auxillary to the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Engineers, the Order of the Eastern Star and Headlight Lodge no. 16.
In November 1961 Arthur moved from his home at 309 14th, where he was living with his widowed daughter, Ruth Groff Trusler, to the Rowley Memorial Masonic Home in Perry.
On 1 April 1963 he transferred to the Boone County Home, Boone, IA, where he died 24 March 1964, at the age of 93, of arteriosclerosis, heart failure and uremia, at 4:30 PM. He was buried in Riverside Ceme- tery, Marshalltown, IA, with his wife, sister and parents.
His obituaries published in the Boone News Republican on 25 March and 21 April 1964 note that he had 60 years of service with the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad as a locomotive engineer. He was a member of the First Methodist Church in Boone, IA. He had also been a member of the Boone Masonic Lodge and the Consistory at Clinton, IA.
Arthur Groff's great-grandson, Brian Stawarz, has commemorated his great-grandfather in a song whose lyrics were sent on to me in August, 199l, by Virginia Stawarz, Brian's mother.
My great grandpa spent his life upon the train He rode it through the wind and through the sun and pouring rain. He drove that train every week from Boone to Illinois, He ran an engine most will only know as but a toy, but a toy.
He'd ridden trains for fifty years when Hitler made the war, And he'd been much too old to fight the one that came before. So he pulled his cap on tight and hauled those young men 'cross the land He took those boys from their homes somewhere to make a stand, make a stand.
Chorus:
Oh great grandpa, I have seen you in my dreams, Rolling through the fields of corn and children by the streams. I can almost see you through the mist as you're rolling down the track, And then I see your shining eyes, as you break into the sun, never looking back.
I only saw him one time, and he held me on his knee, I know him mostly through the stories my mom told to me. He'd take her to the round house when departure time would come, His train was called the Challenger, and how that engine hummed, how it hummed.
he checked that diesel up and down, an oil can in his hand, He never said too much because he was a quiet man. She'd play up in the engine with him almost every time, And when he left she'd always get a nickel or a dime, everytime.
Arthur Lee Groff and Jennie Irene Harris and three children: Ruth Groff, Elene Dorothy Groff, and Harris L. Groff.
II-3-1-1: Ruth Trusler was born 1 September 1890 in Marshalltown, IA, and moved to Boone, IA, at the age of 14 with her parents and younger sister, Elene, and brother, Harris.
She married Howard F. Trusler, a traveling salesman from Warren, Pennsylvania, age 26, in Boone, IA, on 13 December 1913. She was 23. He was born in Sinclairesville, N.Y., the son of Frank and Augie F. Trusler. (Register of Marriages, No.4, Lic. 7774, Boone, Co. IA)
Prior to her death she had been widowed. She lived the last 8 years of her life in Boone, IA, her last home being at 309 14th St, which she shared with her father until he retired to the Masonic Home in Perry.
she died in her home on 28 December 1962, age 70, of complications from hypertension, heart problems, and arteriosclerosis. She was buried in Oakland Cemetery, Warren, PA. (Death Certificate).
Her obituary, published in the 28 December 1962 Boone News Republican, indicates that prior to her death she had fallen and broken her hip in the spring and had not been well since. She had moved to Boone8 years before from Ohio, perhaps from Chagrin Falls, Ohio, where her son, Howard F. Trusler, Jr., lived at the time of her death.
Ruth Groff and Howard F. Trusler, Sr., had one son: Howard F. Trusler, Jr.
II-3-1-1-1: Howard F. Trusler, Jr. married Rachel Harris, the daughter of Ezra J. Harris and Jennie Jones. Rachel currently lives at 910 W. 3rd St., Jamestown, NY. (716) 487-1662.
Howard F. Trusler, Jr. and Rachel Harris had two children: William Trusler and Bruce Trusler.
II-3-1-1-1-1: William Trusler married Mary Wehr. They reside at 23 Gannett Hollow Place, Woodlands, TX 77381. William is an air controller. Mary is an airline pilot.
William Trusler and Mary Wehr have two children:
II-3-1-1-1-1-1: Susan Caroline Trusler
II-3-1-1-1-1-2: Jennifer Lane Trusler
II-3-1-1-1-2: Bruce Trusler is the second son of Howard F. Trusler, Jr., and Rachel Harris. He is a practicing dentist in Ypsilanti, MI. He married Sheila Brezina, the daughter of Robert Brezina and Shirley Sylvester. Bruce and Sheila Trusler live at 203 Sheffield Court, Saline, MI. (313) 429-9364.
Bruce Trusler and Sheila Brezina have four children: Shelley Kim, Andrew Harris, Adam Robert, and Emily Kay.
Shelley Kim Trusler is the adopted step-daughter of Bruce Trusler.
II-3-1-1-1-2-1: Andrew Harris Trusler, born 12 December 1979
II-3-1-1-1-2-2: Adam Robert Trusler, born 22 March 1983
II-3-1-1-1-2-3: Emily Kay Trusler, born 3 September 1986.
II-3-1-2: Harris L. ("Dick") Groff was the second child of Arthur Lee Groff and Jennie Irene Harris. He was born 9 August 1897 in Marshalltown, IA. At the age of 6 he moved to Boone, IA, with his parents where he received his education.(Obituary published in the 28 October 1958 Boone News Republican) He graduated from Boone High School in 1916 and his picture from the Yearbook of that year is included with this history. He is described as follows in his yearbook:
"Stored away in his anatomy he has considerable humor, which at very rare times comes to the surface. Sometimes he releases his dignity and laughs, and then instantly he's as sober as a deacon again."
The Yearbook indicates that he was in the High School Commercial curriculum and that he was a member of the Eutrophian Literary Society, the Bumble "B" staff of 1916, class play, Class Basketball '16, and stenography Club.
He married 22 May 1918 Corrine Delaney of Desmoines, IA. At the time of his marriage he was employed in the offices of the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad. Subsequently they made their home in Chicago. (Obituary)
In 1936 he accepted a position with the C.A. Dunham Co. as traffic manager. where he had been employed since, being transferred to the Michigan City, IN, plant in 1949. (Obituary, 28 October 1958, BN-R)
He became a member of the First Methodist Church in Boone at an early age, and at the time of his death, was a member of the First Methodist Church in Michigan City, IN. He was also a member of Lodge 500 A.F. & A. M. of DesMoines, the Scottish Rite Consistory No. 2, Lincoln, NB, and the Michiana Traffic Club.
He died at the age of 61 in Michigan City, IN., 6 October 1958, and is buried in Linwood Park Cemetery, Boone, IA. (Obituary, 8 October 1958 in the Boone News-Republican.
Corrine Delaney Groff died less than a year later, after a lingering illness, on 5 September 1959, in her home in Desplaines, IL. She is buried in Linwood Park Cemetery. She was a graduate of Boone High School and a member of the First Methodist Church. (Obituary, 8 September 1959, Boone News-Republican)
Harris Groff and Corinne Delaney had one daughter: Harriet Jane Groff.
II-3-1-2-1 Harriet Jane Groff was born 30 January 1922, in Boone, Iowa (Obit in 8 Oct 1990 Everett (WA) Herald) She married Donald Becraft in the Chicago area around 1955. Donald was a mechanic. The family moved to Everett, WA in 1969. (Information supplied by Virginia Stawarz, Harriet's cousin and Harriet's obituary)
Harriet Jane Groff Becraft died at the age of 68 on 4 October 1990 in Everett, WA.
Donald Becraft and Harriet Jane Groff had two daughters: Jennifer Ann and Brenda Becraft.
II-3-1-2-1-1: Jennifer Ann Becraft born c. 1959, DesPlaines, IL. She married Kurt Ohlund 13 December 1980 in Everett, WA. Reside at 12205 182nd Drive, N.E., Arlington, WA 98223. Jennifer and Kurt have two children:
II-3-1-2-1-1-1: Nathaniel Ohlund, born 14 June 1982, Everett, WA.
II-3-1-2-1-1-2: Kadie Ohlund, born 31 March 1984, Everett, WA.
II-3-1-2-1-2: Brenda Becraft is the second daughter of Donald Becraft and Harriet Jane Groff. She married Richard Frazee. She resides in Lake Stevens WA. (206) 691-4429.
II-3-1-3: Elene Dorothy Groff was the third child of Arthur L. Groff and Jennie Harris. Elene was born 3 May 1903 in Boone, IA (Death Certifi- cate). She graduated from Boone High School in 1921 where she was in a commercial curriculum. She belonged to the Eutrophian Literary Society, Class Basketball, 1921, Bumble "B", Girl Reserves and Glee Club while she was in High School (!921 Boone High Year Book). During High School she also took an active part in the YWCA, becoming a board member for seven years. She was also the state representative for the YWCA Board. (Obituary, Boone News-Republic, 20 December 1954)
Elene was a member of the First Methodist Church since Cradle Roll days, serving in all departments, and becoming President of the Woman's Society of Christian Service. She was a Member of the Eastern Star and the Order of Beauceant and was active in the Woman's Club. (Obituary)
Elene married 8 June 1924 to Ralph A. Jones, a pharmacist in Boone, IA. (Obituary). Ralph A. Jones was born 26 June 1901, the son of Arthur Jones and Matilda Kramme, in Buffalo Center, Winnebago County, IA. (Marriage License).
On 11 December 1954 the Boone News Republican published the following article on its front page:
BOONE WOMAN BURNS TO DEATH ON FRIDAY
Tragedy struck in Boone Friday forenoon but it was not discovered until after 6 p.m. when Ralph Jones, Boone Druggist, came home to find the body of his wife at their home 320 Cedar street..
Mrs, Elene Jones, 51 years, had burned to death during the forenoon, but because her husband had attended a High Twelve luncheon at noon he had not gone home and hence had not discovered the tragedy.
According to County Coroner, Dr G. H. Sutton, Mrs. Jones had tried to light the oven in her kitchen of her home while still attired in night clothes and a housecoat. Apparently the first attempt had failed and she lighted it a second time, but the oven had filled with gas and exploded, catching her clothing on fire.
Dr. Sutton said there were two burned matches near the stove. He added that apparently Mrs. Jones had extinguished the flames on her clothing which had caused serious burns about her entire body. She then apparently went upstairs to her bedroom to dress to summon help when she collapsed and died. Survivors, besides Mr. Jones include an only daughter, Virginia, who teaches in Evanston, Illinois; her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Groff of this city; a sister, Mrs Ruth Trusler, Warren, Penn., and a brother, Richard Groff of Chicago.
Funeral services will be held monday afternoon at 2 o'clock from the First Methodist church with Dr. Edwin Frohardt in charge. Friends may call at the Welin chapel Sunday afternoon between 2 and 5 p.m. and Sunday evening between 7 and 9 p.m. to register.
Elene's death certificate states she died 10 December 1954 of burns to the body. She was buried in Linwood park Cemetery, Boone, IA.
Slightly less that a year later, on 24 November 1955 Ralph Jones remarried to a divorcee, Arlene Birdella Winter, 14 August 19l8, in Pilot Mound, IA, the daughter of Joseph J. Zunkel and Anna L. Rinehart. She was a saleslady in a shoe store at the time of this marriage.
Ralph Jones was a pharmacist for 52 years, having been employed at Miller Drug for 37 years and at the Boone County Hospital for the last 12 years of his life. He was employed at Stanhope for three years before coming to Boone. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Mt. Olive Lodge No. 79, Tuscan Chapter Commandery, Masonic Lodge High Twelve and Low Twelve. He helped organize the Boone County Credit Union and served as treasurer and as a member of the auditor committee. He was a member of the Boone Story County Drug Association.
He died 7 June 1973, age 71, of longstanding lymphatic leukemia. His last residence was 225 S Greene St. He is buried in Linwood Park Cemetery, Boone, IA.
Elene Dorothy Groff and Ralph A. Jones had one daughter, Virginia Ruth Jones.
II-3-1-3-1: Virginia Ruth Jones, born 24 September 1930 in Boone, IA. She married Edmund Stawarz. She lives at 545 Third Avenue, Clinton, IA. She is a special education for Clinton Community High School, teacher of the Trainable Mentally Retarded..
Virginia graduated from Boone High School in 1948. Her high school yearbook indicates she was in the language curriculum. She was in the Bumble "B", Quill and Scroll, National Honor Society, B-Y-ettes, Hi-Tri, Orchestra, Mixed Chorus, Girl's Glee Club, Girl's Sextette, Boy's Quartette, , String Ensemble, Violin Quartette, and String Trio, as extracurricular activities during her high school years.
Virginia Jones and Edmund Stawarz had one child: Brian Stawarz.
II-3-1-3-1-1: Brian Stawarz, born 23 March 1958; MA in Psychology from the U. of Iowa; works for Human Services, Inc., 7066 Stillwater Blvd, Oakdale, MN 55119; resides 1900 E. Shore Drive #21, Maplewood, MN 55109
II-3-2: The second child of Elizabeth Tombow and Emanuel Miles Groff was Berenice Clarissa Groff who was born 20 November 1872 in Sterling, IL. At the age of 2 her parents moved to Marshalltown, IA., where she lived until she died at the age of 93. (Father's Civil War Pension Papers)
She graduated from Marshalltown High School according to her obituary in the 24 May 1966 Marshalltown Times-Republican. According to the same source, she married William T(obias) Miller on 26 June 1902 in Boone, Iowa.
William T. Miller was born 29 May 1865 in Toledo, IA, the son of John Miller and Amelia Gerhart. His first marriage was to Ida Ellen Monohon 8 September 1889 in Marshalltown. His first wife died 30 September 1900. (Obituary published in the 9 November 1960 Marshalltown Times-Republican.
The exact date of the above marriage was supplied by Kenneth Ferguson, 301 W. Julian St., Le Grand, IA, 50142, a grandson of William Miller, in correspondence to me, dated 9 October 1989. Of this first marriage there were two daughters, Grace Miller, my correspondent's mother and Marie Miller. The second marriage of William Miller to Berenice Groff was childless, according to Mr. Ferguson, but she raised her step children and grandchildren as if they were her own and was much loved by her step family.
Some insight into the stature of Berenice's mother, Elizabeth Tombow Groff, is given by Mr Ferguson, who refers to her as "Little Grandma Groff".
Berenice was the first woman watchmaker and jeweler in Iowa, according to her obituary. This specialty she must have learned from hr husband as his obituary indicates that he went into the jewelry business with his Dad at the age of 18 and continued in that line of work for 62 years, retiring 15 years before his death at age 93.
Berenice was a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, a past president of St. Paul's Guild, and a past president of the Marshalltown Women's Club.
Berenice Clarissa Groff Miller died at the age of 93 on 23 May 1966 in Boone, IA, six years after her husbands death in Boone on 8 November 1960. Both are buried in Riverside Cemetery, Marshalltown, IA.
Their last residence was 411 N. 1st St., Marshalltown.
As no children were born of Berenice, her line is extinct.
The many death, marriage, and birth certificates, the photocopies of the Yearbooks, the several obituaries referred to in this branch of the family, as well as much other useful work was performed without fees in advance by the knowledgeable and resourceful Larry Adams, Forensic Consultant, 812 « Story St., Boone, IA. This writer is much indebted to his indefatigable research which came out of the blue one day in one fell swoop.
Compiled and written by
Patrick L. Tombeau April, 1993
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