John W. DeGroff (October 12, 1843December 26, 1895) was an American politician, newspaper publisher, and businessman. He was a member of the Wisconsin State Senate and Assembly, representing Buffalo and Trempealeau counties. As a young man, he also served in the Union Army through most of the American Civil War.

Biography

DeGroff was born on October 12, 1843, in

Mentz, New York Mentz is a town in Cayuga County, New York, United States. The population was 2,114 at the 2020 census. The town is in the central part of the county, north of Auburn.The town's name is derived from Mainz, in Germany. History The town was fo ...

. He moved to Juneau, Wisconsin in 1848 and to Alma, Wisconsin in 1858. During the American Civil War, DeGroff served in the

25th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment The 25th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment was a United States Volunteers, volunteer infantry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. During their service, they first participated in the Dakota War of 1862, then spent most ...

of the Union Army. He took part in the Battle of Atlanta and Sherman's March to the Sea. DeGroff edited the ''Buffalo County Journal'' and the ''Marshfield Times''. Additionally, he was a deputy state factory inspector at the time of his death. DeGroff was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 1879. In 1886, he was elected to the Senate representing the 29th District. He remained a member until 1891. Additionally, he was president of Alma and Clerk of Buffalo County, Wisconsin, as well as chairman of the Buffalo County Board. DeGroff was a Republican. He died in Buffalo County, Wisconsin, of heart disease on December 26, 1895.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:DeGroff, John People from Cayuga County, New York People from Juneau, Wisconsin People from Alma, Wisconsin Republican Party Wisconsin state senators Republican Party members of the Wisconsin State Assembly County clerks in Wisconsin People of Wisconsin in the American Civil War Union Army soldiers Editors of Wisconsin newspapers 1843 births 1895 deaths 19th-century American legislators Journalists from New York (state) 19th-century Wisconsin politicians