Austin
Travis County, Texas
30 16.591' N 97 43.608' W

Text: Texas Land Commissioner (March 6, 1822 – June 15, 1878). A professional surveyor before and after coming to Texas in 1845 from his native Germany, J.J. Groos helped open New Braunfels area to settlement. He served 1849–65 as Comal County official, and was in Confederate Militia during Civil War (1861-1865). In 1874, Groos was elected Commissioner of the General Land Office of Texas and served four years, until his death. Married to Katharine Bliender, he was father of seven children.