GROVE, Abner 1875-1946

GROVE, CHRISTENSEN, SCHOENFELD, HANLEY

Posted By: S. Bell
Date: 6/13/2014 at 22:22:34

[Nashua Reporter, Wednesday, December 18, 1946, Nashua, Iowa]

OBITUARY OF ABNER GROVE

Was Born in Log Cabin in Richland Twp. in 1875:
Operated Threshing Machine for 51 years.

Abner Grove died unexpectedly at his home in this city Friday, December 13. He had not been ill previously and had been about his work at his farm during the day, apparently in his usual health.

Abner Grove was born July 17, 1875 in a log cabin in Richland Township, the son of Peter T. and Carrie Grove. He was reared with eight brothers and sisters along the Wapsipinicon River. Their cabin was a two room structure with two stories and on the same site on which his son, Glen now lives. They walked to school each day, one and one-half miles away. No roads ran through this area and farm produce was taken to Dresden which was located a mile north of Williamstown. Mail was also gotten there. Rattlesnakes were a menace but in spite of these hardships their pioneer life was simple and wholesome.

Abner Grove will probably be remembered as a thresherman which he began when nineteen years of age and in partnership with two brothers. The first machine was a horse power thresher driven by sixteen horses and hand fed. For 51 years he operated a succession of five steam outfits and other tractor operated machines. It was unusual that for several falls, Mrs. Grove and seven sons operated two machines. He often told of threshing seasons extending from July through December.

He stated his farming career on the home farm when his parents moved to an acreage one half mile west.

On December 28, 1904, Abner was united in marriage to Julia Schoenfeld at Ionia and 9 children were born to them. They are Lawrence of New Hampton, Hazel, (Mrs. Guy Hanley) of Grants Pass, Oregon; Roy of Monona; twin boys, Lynn (deceased) and Glen of New Hampton; Charles of Mason City, Grant of Benecia, Calif., and Warren of New Hartford.

Mr. and Mrs. Grove joined the Christian Church at Republic in 1915. They remained active in all church affairs and guided their children in this religious faith.

Soon after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Grove purchased a farm 1½ miles west of New Hampton where they remained for 36 years.

Besides Mrs. Grove and the daughter and sons, others left to mourn are his sister, Mrs. Susie Taylor, brothers Gilman and William, all of New Hampton, 11 grandchildren and a host of friends.

Abner Grove was a fine, honest and hardworking man. He was a loving father and devoted husband.

Mr. Grove was director on the school board of the Grove school for 36 years and for the most part president of the board.

Funeral rites were Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the First Congregational Church, with the pastor, Rev. David Arnold, officiating. Mrs. Gerald Bailey and Arthur Boettcher sang "In The Garden," and "The City Four-square. Interment was in Graceland Cemetery. Casket bearers were: William Pierce, Amos Peterson, Cecil Laydon, Lou Moine, Lowell Ransom, Harry Eistentraeger, all of the Republic community.

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His mother was Carrie (Christensen) Grove 1842 - 1927

Photo property of Steven Tynan

Chickasaw Obituaries maintained by Bruce Kuennen.
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