J. H. GROVES
In
a history of Cherokee County, it is imperative that mention be made of
J. H. Groves, so actively and prominently has he been identified with
its agricultural development and stock-raising interests. At the
present time, however, he is living retired in the enjoyment of the
fruits of his former toil, but was formerly proprietor of the Woodbine
Valley Stock Farm in Pilot township, comprising twelve hundred and
eighty acres. He was born in Delaware county, Ohio, December 1, 1842, a
son of Adam and Catherine (Sellers) Groves, who were natives of the
state of Pennsylvania. In 1855, the family removed to Clinton County,
Iowa and the father spent his last days in Scott County, this state,
while the mother passed away in Pilot township, Cherokee County.
J.
H. Groves acquired his education in the common schools of Clinton
County and was reared to farm life, but after the outbreak of the Civil
War, when nineteen years of age, he put aside all business and personal
considerations and offered his services to the government, enlisting in
August, 1862, as a member of Company C, Twenty-sixth Iowa Volunteer
Infantry. He participated in the battle of Arkansas Post, the siege of
Vicksburg and the battles of Jackson, Mississippi, Lookout Mountain,
Missionary Ridge, Ringgold and Chattanooga. He afterward went to
Vienna, where the winter months were passed ad from that place
proceeded to Resaca, participating in the hotly contested engagement
there. He was also in the battle of Kenesaw Mountain. At one time he
belonged to the Fifteenth Army Corps. He was detached from Sherman’s
army and placed under the command of General Hooker at the battles of
Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge. He also marched through the
Carolinas and was with General Sherman at Raleigh, North Carolina, at
the time of the surrender of General Johnston. He participated in the
grand review in Washington, where the thousands of victorious Union
soldiers marched through the streets of the city, cheered by a
multitude of their fellow citizens. Mr. Groves then received his
honorable discharge and was mustered out at Clinton, Iowa, returning to
his home with a most creditable military record.
He once more
made his way to Clinton County, where he engaged in farming until 1869,
when he came to Cherokee County. Here he homesteaded eighty acres on
section 26, Pilot township, and began the development and improvement
of a farm. He prospered as the years went by and added to his holdings
until he became the owner of seven hundred and sixty acres in one day.
Upon that place he resided until 1887, when he removed to the Woodbine
Valley Stock Farm, which contains twelve hundred and eighty acres. This
is no doubt the best equipped stock farm in the county and Mr. Groves
has been one of the most extensive cattle feeders in Iowa and an
extensive breeder of Aberdeen Angus cattle. In all of his business
affairs, he has displayed sound judgment, unfaltering enterprise and
unabating energy and thus from a comparatively humble position in the
business world has steadily advanced until he is now numbered among the
men of affluence in Cherokee County.
Mr. Groves was married in
Clinton County to Miss Ellen Bull, who was born in England, a daughter
of George and Catherine (Bruce) Bull, who brought their family to
America, becoming residents of Clinton County, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs.
Groves now make their home in Cherokee, where he is living practically
retired from business cares. He is however, a stockholder in the
Cherokee State Bank and in the Bank of Quimby, Iowa. He has accumulated
land until at one time he owned four thousand acres in Cherokee County
and Clay County, South Dakota, and a half section in California. In
business affairs his judgment has always been sound and his investments
therefore, judiciously made.
Fraternally, he is connected with
the Masons, while his political allegiance is given to the republican
party. He has held all of the township offices and for several terms
was supervisor. His public duties have ever been promptly and
faithfully discharged and the record which he has made in office marks
him as a patriotic and progressive citizen, as did his splendid
military record during the Civil war. In all life’s relations he has
been honorable and straightforward and the record that he has made
commends him to the confidence, good-will and respect of all with whom
he has been brought in contact.
(Source: History of Cherokee County, Iowa, Volume 2 by Thomas McCulla, pgs. 351-352)
***
In February of 1896, J. H. Groves
started a deer farm south of Cherokee. In September, Mr. Groves
received a herd of 25 deer for his park. A barn with very high and
small windows and special fences ww ere constructed to contain the herd
of deer. Some of the fencing, which was similara to hog fencing, with
barbed wire on top, is still embedded in the oak trees in the south
fence line on the ills to the west.
Cherokee
County Historical Society Newsletter, - March Issue, Vol. 13, No. 3, 1978, pg. 5 |
