Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 1880, Houston, Adams, IL

Notes:

Stephen Groves, the third of that family was born February 22, 1818, in Cabell county' West VA, and accompanied his parents to the west when a lad of ten years, traveling in an old-time prairie schooner drawn by horses. He had little opportunity to acquire an education and the schoolhouse in which he pursued his studies was built of logs with an immense fireplace in one end of the building, the smoke having egress through the chimney built of clay and sticks. He was desirous of obtaining a good education and early began working that he might earn the means to pay his tuition in other schools. However, he had the opportunity of attending school in Brown county for only one month but a scholarly old gentleman of the neighborhood assisted him in his lessons and guided his reading so that he laid the foundation for broader knowledge in later years. His father gave him his time when when he was eighteen years of age years of age on the condition that he would never ask for financial assistance from his father. He then left home and entered the employ of an uncle, living about fifteen miles from Springfield, Illinois, where he worked in a distillery for two years. He then turned his attention to farm work and soon received twenty-five dollars per month. In I837 he again became a resident of Brown county, Illinois, where he entered from the government one hundred and twenty acres of land, on which he built a cabin and made other improvements, but later left the farm in charge of his brother-in-law and went on a trapping expedition, joining a party proceeding up the Illinois river and spent the winter on Duck Island. They were successful in this venture and in the spring took their furs on a raft to St. Louis, selling to the American Fur Company. A few years later Mr. Groves exchanged his farm in Brown county for land in Houston township, Adams county. and later sold his interest in that place, and purchased another farm in the same township. He at once built a log cabin and then, desiring a companion and helpmate for life's journey. he was married December 28, 1846, to Mrs. Nancy Strickler, nee Witt. Her first husband, Abram Strickler, had died a few months after their marriage. Her father, Daniel Witt, was one of the pioneer settlers of this state. Mrs. Groves died June 26, 1850, and their two children, Jacob and Martha, are still living. Later Mr. Groves was again married, the, second union being with Mary Jane Campbell, a native of Tennessee, born December 2, 1845. Her death occurred May 20, 1884, There were seven children born of this marriage: Emma; Joseph. John: Stephen; Daniel; Artie; and one who died in infancy.

Mr. Groves continued to engage in farming throughout his entire business career, making his home on section 30, Houston township, where he owns six hundred and forty-four acres of land all in one body, and he likewise had a farm of forty acres in Andrew county, Missouri. He gave particular attention to the raising of Poland China hogs, which he sold for breeding purposes, and his shipments amounted to about two carloads each winter. He was a man of excellent business ability, enterprise and industry, and all who knew him entertained for him high respect and regard. Mr. Groves passed away April 3, 1904, while his wife's death occurred May 20, I884.

PAST AND PRESENT OF THE CITY OF QUINCY AND ADAMS COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
By William H. Collins. S. J. Clark Publishing Co.; 1905. Pg.400

Stephen married Nancy E. WITT on 28 Dec 1848 in Adams County, IL. Nancy (daughter of Daniel WITT) was born on 22 Jun 1826; died on 26 Jun 1850. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Martha C. GROVES was born on 26 Sep 1849 in Adams County, IL.
2. Jacob GROVES was born on 17 Mar 1851 in Houston, Adams, IL.

Stephen married Mary Jane CAMPBELL on 12 Jan 1862 in Adams County, IL. Mary (daughter of John C CAMPBELL and Cecelia Anne GOFORTH) was born on 02 Dec 1845 in TN; died on 20 May 1884 in Adams County, IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Emma C. GROVES was born on 07 Apr 1863 in IL.
2. Shara A. GROVES was born on 28 Jul 1864 in Adams County, IL.
3. Joseph GROVES was born on 19 Dec 1865 in IL.
4. John GROVES was born on 14 Feb 1867 in Houston, Adams, IL.
5. Stephen S. GROVES was born on 24 May 1869 in Houston, Adams, IL.
6. Artimisa A. GROVES was born on 31 Jul 1872 in Houston, Adams, IL.
7. Daniel Ray GROVES was born on 25 Jul 1876 in Golden, IL; died on 09 Aug 1933 in Klamath County, OR.

Joseph + Catherine STALEY. Catherine (daughter of Daniel or Stephen STALEY and Barbara YEASLEY) was born on 19 Mar 1791 in Berkeley, VA; died about 1841 in IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Jacob + Margaret GARINGER. Margaret was born between 1755 and 1775 in VA?. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Daniel married Barbara YEASLEY in 1795. Barbara was born in 1777 in Shepherdstown, Berkeley, VA; died in 1822 in Berkeley, VA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]