Re: Jacob Groves
GROVES
Posted By: Steven Baird (email) In Response To: Jacob Groves (Kim)
Date: 1/7/2018 at 09:59:00
Hi Kim,
I am not related to the family, but I do have some of the cemetery inscription books from Van Buren County. I found 2 burials in Egypt Cemetery that may be of interest. This small cemetery is a few miles northeast of Milton, IA (in the country, a bit hidden in the trees). I was there once and from what I recall - the gravestones have not always been well maintained.
GROVES, Jacob - died 29 Aug 1873 age 67y 5m 13dy
PETERSON, Mary I. - daughter of J.R. & T. Peterson (all dates from the tombstone are gone)
Note the death date for Jacob is off by 2 days from what you have notated. It's always possible there's an error in the inscription book or the tombstone was hard to read.
I also have a copy of the Van Buren County 1832 Register of Pioneer Association - Organized 1871 to 1941. Within that booklet, I found the following entries:
PETERSON Ralph
Date of Settlement - Oct 1839
Place of Birth - Adams now Brown Co Ohio
Date of Birth - 29 Sept 1808
Date of Marriage - 2 Mar 1839
1st Residence - Union Township
Occupation - Farmer
Religion - Christian
Politics - Whig - Republican
Signature or notes - Ralph PetersonPETERSON Mary
Date of Settlement - Oct 1839PETERSON John G
Date of Settlement - Oct 1839
Present residence - JacksonPETERSON John
Date of Settlement - Sept 1838
1st Residence - Vernon
Occupation - FarmerIn order to be in the book, the pioneer had to arrive in VB County by 1841 or before. I cannot find the GROVES family mentioned (tho there is a single reference to a John Groves; no further info).
One "might" be able to draw some conclusions from the data:
- All 4 individuals are listed in the Vernon Township section of the book. Ralph's 1st residence is noted as Union Township. And John G's last residence is Jackson. The only thing that seems useful is the Jackson Township piece. This is where Milton is located - and Mary is buried in Egypt Cemetery right outside of Milton.
- The first 3 individuals appear to have arrived in the same month and thus may all be related. I would venture to guess that Ralph and Mary are husband and wife - and John G is their son. I found a J G Peterson buried in Sunnyside Cemetery in Milton, IA. He was born 30 May 1831. Perhaps he was the 8 year old son of Ralph and Mary when they arrived in 1839?
- The last "PETERSON John" who arrived in Sept 1838 may be unrelated?
I only have some of the VB County Cemetery booklets. It's quite possible that Ralph died and is buried in Union or Vernon Townships. Or he could be buried in Egypt and the stone has gone missing.
Anyway, I hope some of this is useful. Best of luck on your research!
Van Buren Queries maintained by Rich Lowe.
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