Mack J. Groves 1869-1953

GROVES, WALKER

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 10/26/2013 at 22:18:17

Prominent Resident of City, M.J. Groves, Dies [poor copy of obit]
Mack J. Groves, Emmet county’s most extensive land owner and insurance company executive died at 2:45 a.m. yesterday at his home, 902 Central Avenue. He was 84. Bedfast since Jan. 1-, he died of complications from old age.

Mr. Groves had served as mayor of Estherville, as a member of the school board and had been active in many other civic and community organizations.

Born Oct. 21, 1869 in Adair county. Mr. Groves was one of 12 children of George and Clarissa Groves. Of Dutch and French ancestry, his parents came to Iowa from Virginia in pioneer days and settled on a farm in Adair county. At an early age they taught their son value in the dignity of labor, a less he well knew and followed.

He graduated from Greenfield high school in --- and from the University of Iowa with a bachelor of law degree in 18--. Mr. Groves taught school in Adair county in ---- and ---- and in C--- county in ---. A special agent for the Cherokee Life association in Greenfield the next two years he later became a special agent traveling over the state. From – to – he was a --- for a wholesale grocery firm in Chicago and worked in Iowa and Minnesota. From 1—to 1—he practiced law in Iowa City and in Estherville.

Mr. Groves married Marietta Walker on July 2, 1891in Columbus Junction and has been living in Estherville since.

Continuing to practice law in Estherville until ---- he soon devoted himself to the farming and property interests in the community. In --- he was active in organizing the Farmers – Mutual Hail association and was the first president.

Between the years – and --- while Mrs. Groves was still in Iowa city, he purchased land in southwestern Iowa and southwestern Minnesota and owned about 1,000 [?] acres of land in Emmet county in ---.

During his ---

He also was a member and president of the Emmet Board of Education for nine years. Mrs. Groves owned many business properties in Estherville in addition to his extensive farm holdings.

He was a member of the Masonic lodge, Elks lodge and the Odd Fellows lodge. In his younger days he was an active member of the Democratic party.

Although the Groves had no children of their own, they – to putting many young people through school here.

Surviving his death are his wife and a brother, George E. Groves, both of Estherville.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. tomorrow at the Presbyterian church, the Rev. Thomas O. Mathre officiating. Burial will be in Oak Hill cemetery with Masonic services at the cemetery. Masons will meet at 1:10 p.m. to go to the church in a group.

[Active and honorary pallbearers are listed.]

His body will be taken from the Sternborg funeral home to the church at --- a.m. and it lie in state up to the time of the funeral. The casket will not be opened during and after the services. (Estherville Daily News, Estherville, IA, April 20, 1953)