David Groves, born in Tennessee in 1806, married Eliza Ann Hutchins of Kentucky in 1832 and entered land four miles south of Dover, where he farmed hemp and lived until his death in 1895; the 1910 history dates his arrival to 1836 and the 1881 history to 1838. He married twice more, to Mrs. Elizabeth (Simpson) Handy and in 1865 to Docia Jane Garner, and had fourteen children across the three marriages. His sons T. A. and J. F. Groves both studied at the Masonic College and served the Confederacy, and J. F. Groves organized the Corder Bank in the early eighties and sat on the state board of agriculture. A younger son, William M. Groves, became cashier of the bank at Corder after its 1893 merger, and Jesse Lee Groves, born in 1867 to the third marriage, farmed and fed stock in Dover Township. Every fact below is cited to a public-domain Lafayette County history.
Where the family starts
David Grovesborn 1806Most recent in our records
Jesse Lee Grovesborn 1867Tap a name to jump to that person.
Hemp farmer south of Dover
Farmer and partner in the Lafayette County Star Mills
THOMAS A. GROVES, farmer and junior partner of the firm, owners of Lafayette county star mills, and is a native of this county. His parents were David and Eliza (Hutchings) Groves, they were from Tennessee and Kentucky, and came to this county in 1838. Thomas spent his early life with his parents, and received his education in the Masonic college at Lexington, and graduated in the years 1856 — 57. After graduating he merchandise for a short time, but abandoned that and went on to the farm. When the war came on he joined Gates' regiment, with which he remained till the fall of Vicksburg;he then joined Shelby's command, with whom he remained through the war. After the war he returned to farm life. In November, 1866, he was married to Miss Mary C, daughter of Col. G. B. Warren, of Dover; by this marriage he has two children: George Warren and David.
As printed in the source2. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
Cattle breeder and feeder; founder of the Corder Bank
J. F. GROVES.
It is a pleasant task to write the biography of one whose life has been so full of achievement as that of Mr. Groves, and we are sure that its perusal will be an inspiration to some of younger years. He has brought intelligence and purpose into his work, that which some think not so worthy of a man of high talents, farming, but his life is a proof that a man can find an opening for the use of the highest abilities on the farm as well as another place, can do as much good for the community and prosper as greatly. Mr. Groves ranks among the foremost agriculturists in this state, where good farmers are plentiful.
J. F. Groves was born in Dover township, Lafayette county, in 1840, the son of David Groves, born in Tennessee in 1806, who came here in 1836, and entered land four miles south of Dover, on which he lived until his death in 1895. He owned four hundred acres there and seven hundred in all, and was a general farmer and made something of a specialty of raising hemp. He was a very active worker in the Democratic party and was at one time a candidate for the Legislature. David Groves was married to Eliza Ann Hutchins, of Kentucky, in 1832.
As printed in the source1. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
Cashier of the Corder Bank
WILLIAM M. GROVES.
The very necessary, rapidly enlarging and extremely responsible field of work offered by banking is one very attractive to many young men, one in which they find an opportunity for pleasant and remunerative service and in which a good man may be promoted as his work deserves. The profession develops responsibility, and is not one for weaklings, and everywhere the man who has reached one of the more responsible positions in a bank is prominent in the general affairs of the community, a leader of public sentiment more than men of most other professions.
William M. Groves was born in Dover township, Lafayette county, June 24, 1855, the son of David Groves, mentioned elsewhere in this work. He was brought up on a farm, educated in the common schools and the Dover high school. For a short time he was a merchant, then began work as cashier of the American Bank at Corder, and became connected with the American Bank at Higginsville in 1882. In 1890, the bank at Corder was reorganized as the Columbian Bank and soon merged with the Corder Bank, opened in 1891, and after the merger in 1893 Mr. Groves became cashier and has since retained the position. He owns two hundred and fifty acres of land in Dover township and is treasurer of the Diamond Coal Company. In politics he is a Democrat, has been a notary public, and has held all the village offices, having always been high in the confidence of the people. He and his family are members of the Methodist church.
Mr. Groves was married in 1894 to Bettie Corder, who was born in Dover township, the daughter of George W. and Elizabeth A. (Wall) Corder. George W. Corder was a native of Virginia who came to this township and owned a section of land where Corder now stands. His-father was Nathan Corder, the pioneer of Corder, who died in Dover township. Elizabeth Wall was born in North Carolina, and was married when she came to this township. Mr. and Mrs. Groves are the parents of four children: Helen Elizabeth; Wilham M., Jr.; Frances G., and Marjory J., all of whom are living and are a vivacious and attractive family of young people.
Mr. Groves has by his affability and hospitality made friends of all those who know him. No citizen of his township is considered more worthy of the people's trust then is he. In all the relations of life, family, social and professional, he performs his part in such a manner as to win the regard of all. His success has been not only in accumulating property, but in establishing character as well.
As printed in the source1. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
Farmer and stock feeder, Dover Township
JESSE LEE GROVES.
Nothing is more marked than the change in the farmer's situation which has taken place in the last few years. For a time he seemed to be of the most unfortunate class in America, and by many his was the least respected of professions. How changed now. Today he is in a position of command. Circumstances have altered to such an extent that the farmer is no longer at the mercy of the traders and transporters, but is holding the reins of power himself, is receiving good prices for his produce, and is becoming envied by the city dweller because of his prosperity. The banking business shows the change in the general prosperity of farmers. Fifteen years ago they were loaning city men's money on mortgages to farmers; now they are loaning farmers' money on mortgages to city men.
Jesse Lee Groves was born in Dover township, Lafayette county, Missouri, February 22, 1867, the son of David and Docia Jane (Garner) Groves, mentioned elsewhere in this work. He was born and grew up on a farm, and received his education from the public schools of the township. He has spent his life in the farming and stock raising business, and has extensively engaged in the feeding of stock for market.
On February 4, 1891, Mr. Groves was united in marriage to Elizabeth R. Dinwiddie, who was born in this county, the daughter of Robert and Elizabeth (Tevis) Dinwiddie. Mr. Dinwiddie was born in Virginia, his wife in Kentucky, and they came early to Lafayette county, where he died and where his wife still lives. He was a very extensive farmer and was eminently successful and prosperous. Four sons have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Groves, Robert Dinwiddie, Jesse Lee, James Tevis and John Garner.
Mr. Groves is a Democrat, but has never cared for office. He and his family are Methodists and among the most active workers in their church. For his many virtues of character he is justly respected and admired by those who know him. His success as a farmer and stock feeder has been very encouraging and lucrative, and in every way Mr. Groves is one of the strongest citizens of his county.
As printed in the source1. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
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