GROVES, J. H. - 1914

GROVES, SELLERS, BULL, BRUCE

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 7/10/2009 at 04:06:45

HISTORY OF
Cherokee County
IOWA
VOLUME II
ILLUSTRATED
CHICAGO
THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY
1914
by Thomas McCulla

J. H. GROVES.

In a history of Cherokee county it is imperative that mention be made of J. H. Groves, so actively and prominently has he been identified with its agricultural development and stock-raising interests. At the present time, however, he is living retired in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil, but was formerly proprietor of the Woodbine Valley Stock Farm in Pilot township, comprising twelve hundred and eighty acres. He was born in Delaware county, Ohio, December 1, 1842, a son of Adam and Catherine (Sellers) Groves, who were natives of the state of Pennsylvania. In 1855 the family removed to Clinton county, Iowa, and the father spent his last days in Scott county, this state, while the mother passed away in Pilot township, Cherokee county.

J. H. Groves acquired his education in the common schools of Clinton county and was reared to farm life, but after the outbreak of the Civil war, when nineteen years of age, he put aside all business and personal considerations and offered his services to the government, enlisting in August, 1862, as a member of Company C, Twentysixth Iowa Volunteer Infantry. He participated in the battle of Arkansas Post, the siege of Vicksburg and the battles of Jackson, Mississippi, Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, Ringgold and Chattanooga. He afterward went to Vienna, where the winter months were passed, and from that place proceeded to Resaca, participating in the hotly contested engagement there. He was also in the battle of Kenesaw Mountain. At one time he belonged to the Fifteenth Army Corps. He was detached from Shermans army and placed under the command of General Hooker at the battles of Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge. He also marched through the Carolinas and was with General Sherman at Raleigh, North Carolina, at the time of the surrender of General Johnston. He participated in the grand review in Washington, where the thousands of victorious Union soldiers marched through the streets of the city, cheered by a multitude of their fellow citizens. Mr. Groves then received his honorable discharge and was mustered out at Clinton, Iowa, returning to his home with a most creditable military record.

He once more made his way to Clinton county, where he engaged in farming until 1869, when he came to Cherokee county. Here he homesteaded eighty acres on section 26, Pilot township, and began the development and improve ment of a farm. He prospered as the years went by and added to his holdings until he became the owner of seven hundred and sixty acres in one body. Upon that place he resided until 1887, when he removed to the Woodbine Valley Stock Farm, which contains twelve hundred and eighty acres. This is no doubt the best equipped stock farm in the county and Mr. Groves has been one of the most extensive cattle feeders in Iowa and an extensive breeder of Aberdeen Angus cattle. In all of his business affairs he has displayed sound judgment, unfaltering enterprise and unabating energy and thus from a comparatively humble position in the business world has steadily advanced until he is now numbered among the men of affluence in Cherokee county.

Mr. Groves was married in Clinton county to Miss Ellen Bull, who was born in England, a daughter of George and Catherine (Bruce) Bull, who brought their family to America, becoming residents of Clinton county, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Groves now make their home in Cherokee, where he is living practically retired from business cares. He is, however, a stockholder in the Cherokee State Bank and in the Bank of Quimby, Iowa. He has accumulated land until at one time he owned four thousand acres in Cherokee county and Clay county, South Dakota, and a half section in California. In business affairs his judgment has always been sound and his investments therefore, judiciously made.

Fraternally he is connected with the Masons, while his political allegiance is given to the republican party. He has held all of the township offices and for several terms was supervisor. His public duties have ever been promptly and faithfully discharged and the record which he has made in office marks him as a patriotic and progressive citizen, as did his splendid military record during the Civil war. In all lifes relations he has been honorable and straightforward and the record that he has made commends him to the confidence, goodwill and respect of all with whom he has been brought in contact.