Friedrich Wilhelm Carl Groos was born on September 18,1827 in Strass-Ebersbach to Carl Wilhelm Apollo and Sophie Wilhelmine Luise (Martin) Groos. Friedrich attended school in his native town of Strass-Ebersbach and at the gymnasiums of Wetzlar and Weilburg, graduating from the latter in 1846. He passed the examination of the engineers' school with first honors. In 1848 Friedrich moved to Texas with his father, three brothers, and four sisters. He moved to San Antonio in 1850 to take a position with the mercantile firm of Guibeau and Callaghan. Groos represented that firm in Eagle Pass until 1854, when he formed his own merchandising and freighting company, F. Groos and Company. His partners were his brothers Gustav and Carl Wilhelm August Groos. The company's main offices were in Eagle Pass, but there were branches in San Antonio, New Braunfels, and Matamoros. He married Gertrude Rodriguez and had 9 children. Groos moved his family to Monterrey after the outbreak of the Civil War. He made two trips to Europe during the war, staying with his family in Wetzlar, Germany, during 1864-66. In 1866 he moved the headquarters of F. Groos and Company to San Antonio. That is where he made his home for the rest of his life. He started the Groos National Bank with his brothers in 1912, the first mercantile business in San Antonio. It is still in business today and is one of the largest banking industries, which started an important banking trend in San Antonio. Groos served two terms on the San Antonio school board and three terms as San Antonio alderman. He was elected president of the gas company in 1879. Groos also served as president of the Casino Club and as president of the German-English School for twenty years. He was also an honorary member of the Beethoven Musical Association. Gertrude Groos had died on February 7, 1873, and on December 12, 1874, Groos married Anna Siemering. Him and his second wife were the parents of eight children. He died on January 27, 1912 in San Antonio. He was buried in the San Antonio Cemetery Number One.

1. When and where was Freidrich Wilhelm Carl Groos born?
       - September 18, 1827 in Strass-Ebersbach.
2. Who where his parents?
       - Carl Wilhelm Apollo and Sophie Wilhelmine Luise (Martine) Groos
3. When did he move to Texas? Who did he move with?
       - In 1848; with his father 3 brothers and 4 sisters.
4. What did he do in 1850?
       -He moved to San Antonio; to take a position with the mercantile firm of Guibeau and Callaghan
5. What did he form in 1854? Who did he form it with?
       - His own merchandising and freighting company. He formed it with his brothers Gustav and Carl Wilhelm August Groos 6. Who did he marry? How many children did they have?
       -He married Gertrude Rodriguez; they had 9 children
7. What did he start in 1912?
       - He started Groos National Bank.
8. Is it still in business today? Is it one of the Largest or Smallest banking industry?
       - It is still in business today; One of the largest.
9. How many terms did he serve in the San Antonio school board? In the San Antonio Alderman?
       -Two terms in the School board; Three terms in the Alderman
10. When did Gertrude die? When did he remarry? How many children did they have?
       - February 7, 1873; Deceber 12, 1874; they had 8 children together.