Old Settlers' Stories
by The Grovers
John Grover, born in Hertfordshire, England, on October 5, 1815, immigrated to the United States as a young man of 18 years (1833) and found employment as a lead miner near Potosi, Wisconsin. While in Potosi, he met Deborah Denio and about three years later the couple were married. It is interesting to note that all members of the Denio family were explorers. The new world progenitor of this family was born in Boucherville, Quebec, Canada, in 1704, where his father and two uncles were guides for the French explorers searching for the Northwest Passage. The descendants of this man were scouts for our revolutionary army and leaders of the several Indian allies against the British. Deborah's father had explored Illinois, Wisconsin, and most of Minnesota, prior to 1811, and in 1812, he founded the town of Oneco, Illinois. His oldest daughters, Luanna and Arvilla, were married there by an Indian Missionary enroute to an outpost in northern Wisconsin. Both of these girls had large families and lives in that area for many years.
John and Deborah moved their family to Linn County, Iowa, where John established himself as a farmer and businessman. Two of their daughters became early residents of Ocheyedan, Mary Elizabeth as the wife of Isaac Cahill Stewart and Jane as a school teacher and long term resident.
Mary Elizabeth has been described as a tender hearted person, strong willed with an indomitable spirit.
Jane Grover was affectionately known as "Aunt Jant" to the family and her very close friends. She never married but chose to attend normal school and become a teacher. Her first professional position was near Dickenson, Dakota Territory (about 1885). Her pay was $360 per year plus board and room at a nearby ranch and a horse with saddle to ride to school. One of her favorite stories was how she bribed the cowhands at the ranch to build a corral and shelter for her horse at the school by treating them to homemade candy. She continued her teaching in various schools throughout the Dakota Territories and Iowa, and made frequent visits to her friends and relatives in the Ocheyedan area. She finally settled permanently in Ocheyedan, in her home near the post office (late 1920s or early 1930s), where she was looked after by her nephew A. L. Stewart, and a niece, Mae Grover Jones. Aunt Jane died October 26, 1948, and is buried in the Isaac Cahill Stewart family plot in the Ocheyedan Cemetery.
-Transcribed by Roseanna Zehner