From A
Biographical History of Central Kansas, Vol. II, p. 1392
published by The Lewis Publishing Co, Chicago & New York, 1902
HENRY GROVE
Henry Grove, a representative farmer and stock-raiser of Rice county, Kansas, was born in Harrison county, Indiana, May 10, 1827, his parents being Simon and Elizabeth (Rhinehart) Grove, both natives of Pennsylvania, but were married in Virginia. The paternal grandfather of our subject, Benjamin Grove, was of German descent and was a native of Pennsylvania, whence he moved to Virginia, where he died. His children were Simon, the father of our subject; Abraham; Jacob; Henry; and Mary, who became the wife of Abraham Rhinehart. The parents were both members of the Dunkard church. Their son Simon, the father of the subject of this sketch, was reared in Virginia, where he married and where three of his children were born. He then moved west and located in Indiana, first settling in Harrison county, where he improved a farm after cutting down the heavy beach timber which was upon the land, and there remained until 1835, when he moved to Illinois, locating in Woodford county, where he bought raw land and again improved a farm, experiencing all the hardships and privations of pioneer life. He engaged in general farming and stock-raising, was successful in his undertakings, and became one of the leading men of the county, commanding the respect and confidence of all who knew him. While in Virginia he enlisted for service in the war of 1812, and he was with General Jackson and participated in the famous battle of New Orleans. He was always a great admirer of General Jackson, appreciating the courtesy and attention which the general gave him and all the soldiers, and, although a Whig, he supported Jackson in his candidacy for the presidency. He remained upon the homestead in Illinois until his death, which occurred in September, 1844. His wife survived him until 1858, when she too was called to the home beyond. They were the parents of twelve children, namely: Barbara, who married William Shafer; Jacob, who served in the Civil war and died in Missouri, at an advanced age; Leah, the wife of E Stewart; Benjamin, who now owns and resides on the old homestead in Illinois; Hannah, who became the wife of J Tanton; Mary, now Mrs A Page; Elizabeth, the wife of T Brownfield; Abram, who died in Illinois; Henry, the subject of this sketch; Susan, who became the wife of L Hall; Isaac, who was killed while serving in the Civil war, and leaving a wife and one child; and Sarah, now the wife of C Stine. All lived to mature years, married and reared families except Isaac, who sacrificed his life while a soldier in the Civil war, as has already been noted. The mother of this family was a daughter of John Rhinehart, who was a native of Virginia, where he died, having been a cabinetmaker and undertaker by occupation. His children were Abraham; Elizabeth, the mother of our subject; and Margaret, who married William Wright. The parents were consistent members of the Dunkard church.
Henry Grove, whose name introduces this review, accompanied his parents to Illinois when he was eight years of age and, as it was then a new section of the country and very sparsely settled, schools were few and conducted in a very primitive manner so that his educational privileges were limited; but he improved such advantages as were afforded and acquired a practical education which fitted him for the duties of life. He remained under the parental roof until twenty-five years of age, when he married and settled on the homestead. He there after conducted the farm and took care of his mother until her death, when the estate was settled and divided, and then he bought a farm of two hundred and forty acres, which he improved, erecting an expensive and commodious house, and there he was engaged in the cultivation of the fields until 1886, when he sold out and moved to Kansas, locating in Rice county, a half mile north of Chase, where he bought a section of six hundred and forty acres of land, which was partially improved. Later he bought an adjoining farm of one hundred and sixty acres, the same being well improved with a good two-story frame house, large barns and outbuildings and a beautiful grove of shade trees, and there he makes his home, engaged in general farming and stock-raising. He has also given to each of his sons a farm. He has been successful in his work and has accumulated a competence, being widely and favorably known as one of the most successful and substantial citizens of Rice county.
In 1852 Mr Grove was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Stine, who was born in Ross county, Ohio, July 19, 1834, but who was reared in Illinois, to which state her parents removed when she was but five years of age. Her grandparents were George and Catherine (DeHaven) Stine, and at his death the former left his widow with four children to support. For many years she conducted a restaurant, in which she met with excellent success, people coming for miles around to purchase her gingerbread. Her daughter Elizabeth also entered business, conducting a millinery store in Kingston, Ohio. Mrs Stine had four sisters and three brothers, the later being Abraham, John and Peter. The last named served as a soldier in the war of 1812, and was one of the number that General Hull sold to the British. During the Revolutionary war George Washington at one time camped on their father’s land. The sisters of Mrs Stine were named Mary, Rebecca and Sarah. By her marriage to George Stine she became the mother of four children, - Elizabeth, Peter, John and Jacob. The last named, the father of Mrs Grove, married Magdaline Shafer, in 1830, and they had ten children, four of whom died when young, and concerning the survivors, three sons and three daughters, we here enter brief record: Charles married Sarah Grove, and they reside in El Paso, Illinois; Catherine married Henry Grove, of this review, in Woodford county, Illinois, in 1852; Peter who served for three years in the war of the rebellion, married Louisa Wolf, and they now reside at Frankfort, Indiana, their son being now in the Philippines; Mary, married John Shultz and resides in El Paso, Illinois; George L is still unmarried and is living in Delta county, Colorado; and Sarah Ellen married Norton Johnston and resides in Dawson county, Nebraska. The mother of this family, Magdaline, nee Shafer, was a native of Ohio, and was a daughter of Peter Shafer, who was of German descent and whose death occurred in Virginia. His children were: John, Sarah, Margaret, Mary, Elizabeth, Polly, Abram, David and Magdaline. Both he and his wife were members of the Lutheran church. Jacob Stine, the father of Mrs Grove, was a native of Virginia, and was a cabinet-maker and undertaker by occupation. He moved to Illinois in 1839, becoming one of the pioneers of Woodford county, where he entered land and improved a farm, the work of which was carried on by hired help while he followed his trade. His death occurred upon the old homestead, in 1861, his wife having been called to her final rest in 1856.
The marriage of Mr and Mrs Grove was blessed with twelve children, eight of whom died in childhood and four are still living, namely: Charles, who is district deputy head consul in the Modern Woodmen; Simon and Chauncey, who follow farming in Rice county; and John, a farmer of Stafford county. All are well settled and are prominent and worthy citizens. In his political affiliations Mr Grove is a Republican, and while he does not aspire to political or public office, he takes a deep interest in all public questions, doing all in his power to promote the growth and welfare of the community in which he lives. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and he and his wife are devout members of the Methodist church. When our subject and his wife first settled in Kansas they could ride for miles without seeing a house, tree or bush, but now groves are abundant, producing greater rainfall and making crops more sure, and prosperous towns and cities have sprung up throughout the state, - all this marvelous growth and development having been witnessed by this venerable couple. They have shared together the trials and hardships of early pioneer days, and now, surrounded with all the comforts of the present advanced civilization, they are enjoying a hale and hearty old age.