Another link with the
Simcoe of earlier days was snapped by the death of Mrs. Groff, which
took place at Wernersville, Penn. on Friday last.
Mrs. Groff was the mother of Mr.
H. H. Groff, the widely-known manager of the Molson's Bank, Simcoe, and
the widow of Henry Groff, Esq., one of the outstanding men of this
district of the last generation. He was treasurer of Norfolk county for
upwards of 30 years, of the Masonic Grand Lodge of Canada for about
as long, and prominently connected with the county's financial interests
for nearly half a century. He died in 1885.
After his demise his widow
continued to reside in Simcoe for a time, but afterwards went to live
with her daughter, Mrs. Gilroy. On the death of Mr. Gilroy, mother and
daughter took up their residence in a large family hotel in one of the
most beautiful parts of the Pennsylvania hill country. There they have
since resided.
Mrs. Groff to the last enjoyed
excellent health, and the possession of all her splendid facalties
undimmed. An attack of penamonia terminated her earthly existence very
suddenly after a day or two's illness.
Mrs. Gilroy, accompanied by her
friend Miss Rumney, of Germantown, Penn., and an official of the hotel
where they resided, arrived in town on Tuesday morning with the body,
after a delay en route of 24 hours, caused by the storm.
The funeral was held from
Trinity Church that afternoon to Oakwood Cemetery, the services being
conducted by Canon Hicks. The pallbearers were: J. D. Christie,
Dr. A.
W. Smith, Geo. A. Curtis, Frank Bowlby, H. S. Falls and M. M. Smith.
