Clarissa Marquess Groves, 1826-1915

GROVES, MARQUESS

Posted By: Emmet County IAGenWeb Coordinator (email)
Date: 2/3/2009 at 15:18:02

DEATH CALLS ONE OF COUNTY'S OLDEST LADIES
Mrs. Geo. S. Groves Dies At the Home of Her Son
NEARLY NINETY YEARS OLD

Mother of Mayor Mack J. Groves and George E. Groves of This City

Friday evening at about 11:45, Mrs. George S. Groves passed into her last long sleep. The dissolution came after an illness of six years during all which she has been confined to her bed. In December 1909, she suffered from a stroke of paralysis and since then has gradually lost control of her faculties. During health Mrs. Groves was a constant reader and up to the time of her sickness was thoroughly posted on every topic of general interest and for two years she was able to read and to listen to others who read to her and thus she kept versed on the progress of events. However as sight and hearing departed she seemed to lose interest in life and from that time on she gradually sank into a state of coma from which it was difficult, and lately impossible to arouse her. For many years she has resided at the home of her son, Mack J. Groves, and during the years that she has been helpless everything that loving care, money and science could do to alleviate or improve her condition has been done, without avail.

Clarissa L. Marquess was born in Grand county, Virginia, January 27, 1826, and lived there until 1859. She was united in marriage in 1850 to George S. Groves. In 1859 the family moved to Ohio, coming to Iowa in 1867 when they settled in Richland towhship in Adair county. Eleven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Groves, all of whom attained to manhood and womanhood and nine of whom are still living: J. Z. Groves of Winterset, Mrs. Jennie Monaghan of Silom Springs, Ark., Chas. L. Groves of Bakersfield, Calif., B. F. Groves of Los Angeles, Calif., O. M. Groves of Kansas City, Mo., Mack J. Groves, George Groves and Mrs Francis W. Buck of this city.

The remains were taken to Greenfield, Ia., Saturday for burial beside those of the husband who died in 1876 and a daughter. Mr. and Mrs. Mack J. Groves, Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Groves, Mr. and Mrs. A. W. Buck and H. C. Brees accompanied the body, and the party was joined at Des Moines by the son, J. Z., and family and a niece. The bereaved relatives have the sympathy of the entire community in their present sorrow.

Contributed by: Ruth M. Hackett. Source: Estherville Democrat, Estherville, Emmet County, Iowa, November 3, 1915.