Biographies

What's on this page:
Abraham Groom Bio
Major Groom Bio
A second Bio on Major Groom
Grooms/Boydston Connection
Peter Simon Grooms Bio
Abraham Grooms b. 1740 MD
John Groom Bio b. 1817
Michael Groom b. 1834
Colby Coward Groom b. 1859

Abraham Groom was born ca 1877 in Orange County, Virginia, the son of William and Sarah Parker Groom. As a young child, he moved with his family to Bourbon County, Kentucky. Abraham married Jane Crawford in Bourbon County on December 12, 1793. They are listed in the census for Clark County Kentucky in 1800 and Estill County, Kentucky in 1810. A month after the birth of their eighth and last child, my ancestor, James, the family emigrated to an "unattached" area of the Louisiana Territory. The area they settled would become Howard County, Missouri Territory in 1816. Abraham and his family, were among the original members of Mount Pleasant Church, which was organized on April 8, 1812. Soon the settlers became involved in a long and bloody conflict with the Indians who were backed by the British. Abraham and his family joined with many others at Fort Hempstead, where they all risked their lives to protect their new found homes. Finally, in 1815, the government sent the militia to the area and most of the Indians were driven from the area. On August 31, 1820, Abraham bought 160 acres of land near Mount Pleasant Church, about 2 miles northwest of Franklin. This land was sold January 20, 1823. Missouri became a state in 1821. Many of the native settlers of Howard County> moved on to the newly formed Ray County. Abraham is listed on the Tax List for Ray County in 1821. They were in the area of Ray County that became Clay County in 1822 Abraham was on the second Grand Jury called in Clay County on July 1, 1822 and served on many subsequent juries. He had an Original Land Grant in Clay County for all of the SW 1/4 of Section 18, Township 51, Range 31. Abraham and Jane were among the founding members of the Little Shoal Baptist Church, and Abraham served as one of its first deacons. Jane Crawford Groom died ca 1824. Abraham married the widow of John Adams Sarah Holtzclaw Adams on September 14, 1827 in Clay County. This marriage brought Abraham's eight children and Sarah's eight children together as stepbrother and sisters. In 1833, the northern portion of Clay County became Clinton County. Abraham sold his land in Clay County, and he and his family moved to Clinton County, where he purchased 160 acres of land southeast of present day Gower, Missouri. Abraham lived for only a short time after moving to Clinton County. He died prior to February 18, 1835, the date administrators were appointed for his estate

Memorial Record of Western Kentucky, Lewis Publishing Company, 1904,
pp 680-681 (portrait in document) [Caldwell]
MAJOR JOHN GROOM, who is engaged in the abstract and real estate business in Princeton, is a well known and highly respected citizen of Caldwell county. This is his native county, his birth having occurred on a farm here on the 7th of October, 1853. He is a son of James B. and Elizabeth (Snelling) Groom. It has long been understood that the founder of the Groom family in America was a Manxman, who, on leaving the Isle of Man, crossed the Atlantic to the new world and settled in Virginia. The paternal grandparents of our subject were Major and Christiana (Bibb) Groom, both of whom were natives of Virginia, whence they came to Kentucky, settling in the south part of Caldwell county about the year 1818. They spent their remaining days there, and Major Groom was active in the development and progress of the locality, contributing in large measure to its upbuilding [sic]. He was a soldier of the Revolutionary war, and lived for many years to enjoy the freedom which was purchased at the price of a long and bitter struggle, but which resulted in founding the greatest republic on the face of the globe. The subject of this biography now has in his possession the gun which his grandfather carried in that war. He and his wife were the parents of the following named children that grew to mature years and left families: Patsy, Sallie, John, Benjamin, Richard William, James B. and Julia, all of whom are now deceased. James B. Groom, the father of Major John Groom, was born in Virginia, and was brought by his parents to Kentucky when only a few years old. He was reared to farm life, early becoming familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist, and on entering upon his business career he continued to engage in farming, making it his life work. He wedded Miss Elizabeth Snelling, a native of Caldwell county, Kentucky, to which section of the state her parents had come in a very early day in its development. Taking his bride to his farm, he thereon reared his family and continued to cultivate his land in order to provide for their needs. He died in the year 1895, when about seventy-nine years of age, his birth having occurred in 1816. His wife passed away in 1862, when about forty years of age. Their union was blessed with nine children, eight of whom are now living. Major John Groom obtained a fair education in the public schools and was reared under the parental farm amid the refining influences of a good home. He was early trained to habits of industry, enterprise and integrity, and was actively engaged in farming until 1889, when he became deputy sheriff. He then removed to Princeton, where he has since resided, although he has always retained farming interests. He served as deputy sheriff for fou years, and was then elected sheriff on the Democratic ticket in 1892. After filling the position in an acceptable manner for two years he was re-elected, and served altogether as sheriff for five years, proving a most capable officer, fearless and faithful in the performance of his duties. He left the office as he had entered it, with the confidence and good will of all concerned. Since his retirement from the office he has been engaged in the abstract and real estate business in Princeton, and has obtained a good clientage [sic] in this line. He also has farming interests and derives therefrom a fair income.
An important event in the life of Major Groom occurred in 1893, when was celebrated his marriage to Miss Willie Evans, a native of Logan county, Kentucky. They now have one son, to whom they gave the name of Lorenzo Evans, and who is now eight years of age. The parents hold membership in the Baptist church, and are widely and favorably known in the community which has always been their place of residence. Self-reliance, conscientiousness, energy and honesty, these are the traits of character that insure the highest emoluments and greatest success in life, and they are salient features in the life record of Major Groom.

Fri, 12 Jun 1998 06:53:44 -0500 From: Sandi Gorin To: KYBIOGRAPHIES@rootsweb.com Kentucky: A History of the State, Battle, Perrin, Kniffin 2nd ed., 1885 Caldwell Co. MAJOR GROOM, postmaster at Sims' Store, Caldwell County, is one of the active enterprising business men of the southern part of Caldwell County, Ky. He is the fifth child of a family of ten children, eight of whom are living, born to J. B. and Elizabeth E. Groom. He was born in Caldwell County, Ky., October 7, 1853. He has a farm of 140 acres, deals in leaf tobacco and live stock, and is successful in business. He was appointed postmaster in the fall of 1883. He has been a member of the Baptist Church for about twenty years. He takes an active interest in public enterprises, and lends a helping hand to all undertakings that are calculated to develope [sic] the resources of the country.

Rebecca Jane Brown married Nathaniel Boydston in Platte Co. MO in 1853.. They had 3 children, including James M. Boydston. Then about October 1860, Nathaniel was killed by border ruffians/claim jumpers in Linn Co. KS. Rebecca took her three little children back to Platte Co., settled Nathaniel's estate, and in January 1866. she married Abraham Groom. Abraham had three children from his first marriage. He and Rebecca had four morechildren. of their own The Boydston and Groom children grew up in close proximity and always kept in touch.

Peter Simon Grooms was born in South Carolina. He came to Liberty county, Georgia, and lived there a few years. He then moved to Tattnall County. He was married to Mary Warnell who was born in 1807 in Liberty County. Her parents are unknown. Peter moved from Tattnall County Georgia to Charlton County, Georgia, shortly before its creation in 1854. He settled four miles west of the village of Uptonville. He was a very highly respected citizen of his day, and was a faithful member of Bethel Methodist Church. He died April 5, 1870 and Mary Warnell Grooms died September 15, 1885. They are both buried at Bethel Methodist Church.

Abraham Grooms was born about 1740 near Gunpowder Falls, Maryland and died in Adams Co. c1840. He married Margaret _______. In the 1830 census of Tiffin Twp., Adams Co., he is listed as 80 years old with no wife. He lived next door to (or with) his son, Abraham, Jr. According to the application he made on June 7, l832 for a Revolutionary Way pension, he affirmed that he was aged 93, and the official records list his age as 94 in 1834. His pension of $20.00 a year was paid to Sept. 1839, therefore he was about 99 yrars old when he died. He stated that when he was young, he moved with his father to York Co., Va. (now in W. Va.) just across the river from Maryland. In Aug. 1777, he was drafted into the Virginia Militia in Berkeley Co. and served three months under Capt. Baylor, who gave him his discharge. He was again drafted about July l, 1781 and immediately entered service under Capt. Wm. Vandeveer and was discharged in Oct. 178l. He marched from Berkeley Co. to Paunkey, then to Williamsburg where he joined the French Forces. He remembered seeing Gen. Lafayette on horseback, commanding his troops. In the 1790 census of Maryland, we find an Abraham Grooms listed in Washington Co., which is just across the Potomac River from Berkeley Co. This Abraham Grooms is listed as having one male child over 16, one male under 16 and 2 females. We know that John, William and Zachariah were his sons. There may have been other children. Sometime between 1795 and 1798, he moved to Adams Co., settling on Soldiers Run, where he built a water mill. (There is also an unverified story that he, his father and two brothers traveled by log raft down the river, settling in Adams Co., Ohio) He bought land in Survey 1501 from Robert Rankin. He was a large landholder in Adams Co, and he and his wife, Margaret, sold a total of 506 acres. He is burried on the Harold Greenlee farm, but here is no marker at the grave.

John Grooms was born in Clark County, Kentucky, May 1, 1817. William and Mary Groom, his father and mother, were Kentuckians by birth. In the beginning of the year 1820, William Groom removed with his family to what is now Boone County, Missouri, where he remained through the winter of 1820-1. In the spring of 1821, he removed thence to Clay County, Missouri, where he continued to make his home until his death, March 14, 1822. William Groom left surviving him his widow and seven children, four boys and three girls. In 1826, his mother married John McGill. John grooms lved with his mother and stepfather until the year 1833. Shortly after his marriage with Mrs. Grooms, John McGill was appointed Indian agent among the Kaws, under General William Clark, the companion of Captain Meriwether Lewis, in the expedition to explore the northwestern territory. After this appointment, young Groom removed with his stepfather to the agency, sixty-five miles west of Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. After a stay of four or five years at the agence, John Groom came to Clinton County, Missouri, where he remained a few months, and thence removed with his stepfather to Old Agency Ford, in Buchanan County, Missouri, where he engaged in the business of blacksmithing. There he located a claim of 160 acres of land, and remained two years. On the 8th of August, 1842, he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Headrick, daughter of Joseph Headrick, of Buchanan County. In 1842, a company of sixteen dragoons, commanded by Lieutenant Parks, from Fort Leavenworth, came to his cabin, which he had built on his claim. The company had orders to demolish all cabins found within the reservation, afterwards known as the Platte Purchase. They tore off his clapboard roof, but being hospitably entertained by Mr. Groom, they left without doing further injury to his humble dwelling. While an infant, in the year 1820, he was several times taken to the house of Colonel Daniel Boone. His sister, Sarah Groom, afterwards in 1837 married Lindsay Boone, grandson of that renowned hunter. In 1832, he visited Joseph Robidoux, who then lived in a little log hut, covered with clapboards, and located near the mouth of the Blacksnake. The place was called Robidoux' Landing. Joseph Robidoux occupied this tenement with his two squaws. Hearing that his wife was expected on a certain steamboat, he endeavored with the boat came in sight to rid himself of his housekeepers. One he persuaded to leave. The other was obstinate, and Robidoux was compelled to throw her out the window. The fall broke on of her legs. Robidoux had her carefully nursed until she recovered. In 1843, Mr. Groom removed from Buchanan to DeKalb County, when he purchased a farm near Maysville. From this place he removed in 1854, to Nodaway County. He located west of the Nodaway River, and there entered 200 acres of land. This land is now owned by George Malvern and John Woods. Here he lived until 1866, when he removed to the farm on which he now lives, which is the southwest quarter of section 19, township 65, range 37, in Green Township. Mr. Groom has six children now living, namely: Joseph, John, Newton, Aarow Wesley, Jacob and Robert. The last two are minors and live with their father. Joseph married Sarah Jane Randalss, of Kentucky; John married Annie Osburn, of Nodaway County; and Newton married Dora Thueman, of Nodaway County. All the married sons are farmers and live near their father. Aaron Wesley is single and lives with his father. When John Grooms first settled in the valley of the Nodaway River the last bear had perished by the huntsman's rifle, a few deer still remained, prairie chickens and turkeys abounded, wolves were numerous and destroyed all the sheep of the farmer. Thieving bands of Pottawatomies, from their reservation in Kansas, frequently visited the lost hunting grounds, and were seen camping or hunting in the valley. At the celebration of the Fourth of July, 1880, Mr. Groom was the receipient of a silver-headed cane, as being one of the oldest settlers of the Platte Purchase. As is the case with most of our pioneers, Mr. Groom has always enjoyed the most perfect health. Although now in his sixty-fifth year, his vigorous frame and serenity of mind give promise that his life, like that of Daniel Boone, who dangled him when a baby on his knee, will be prolonged to four score and ten.

This is from Portrait and Biographical Record of Clay, Ray, Carroll counties Missouri published in 1893: page 248 and page 251

Michael A. Groom, a prosperous and extensive general agriculturist and a successful stock-raiser, residing upon section 3, township 52, range 32, Clay County, Mo., is widely known as an energetic and reliable citizen, liberal and progressive, and ever ready to assist in local improvements and enterprose. Our subject was born upon his father's farm, two miles west of Liberty, in 1834. He is the son of Joseph and Nancy (Hutchison) Groom, his father being a native of Virginia, but reared in Clark County, Ky., to which State Grandfather Groom had emigrated from the Old Dominion in the latter part of the eighteenth century. Joseph Groom was the youngest son of his parents , and remained at home until the death of his mother, who survived her husband many years. In early manhood, while residing in Clark County, Ky., he married the daughter of Col. Hutchison, a native Virginian, but an early pioneer of Kentucky, and a hero of Revolutionary fame, having fought with great gallantry in the War of Independence, and as Colonel of his regiment, cheering his men on to victory. Some time between 1821 and 1824, Joseph Groom emigrated with his wife and family to Clay County, Mo., and, journeying slowly by wagon, reached the desired destination with the small pecuniary capital of fifty cents, but rich in hope, energy and native resolution. By his thrift and intelligent industry he gradually accumulated valuable property, and owned two hundred and eighty acres of highly improved land. At the time of the "Mormon War" in Missouri, this sturdy pioneer settler shouldered his gun, and ably defended his people and property for a few days. Ten children came into the happy home, and but two died young. The sons and daughters were: Robert; Francis M.; John S.; Mary, wife of Charles Woods; Michael A., our subject; Martha, wife of John Kincaid; Porter F.; and Belle, wife of John Pickett. The father of our subject reached the good old age of ninety-two years, and was well preserved in mind and body up to the time of his death. Michael A., our subject, remained with his parents until he had attained his majority, and received his education in the old log schoolhouse, a prominent feature n the early history of Clay County. In 1861, the beginning of the Civil War, he entered the State Guard, under Gen. Price, and served in Col. Thompson's regiment, Capt. Groom's company. In 1862 he entered the regular Confederate service, in the Trans-Missouri Department. He fought in many of the leading battles of the war, and remained in active service until the surrender, when he returned to his home and again resumed agricultural duties. November 5, 1867, he was united in marriage with Miss Emma P., daughter of D. J. Adkins, of Clay County, but in 1882 lost the faithful wife and loving mother, who had borne him seven children, one of whom died young. Elma, the eldest, is the wife of Ed Watkins; Ruth is the wife of Walter Pryor; Minnie and Lizzie. The present wife of Mr. Groom was Mrs. Amelia Collins, widow of the late Jesse B. Collins, of Clay County, and daughter of James M. Watkins. Mrs. Groom had two children by her first husband, Jesse B. and Martha J. Collins. Since her marriage with Mr. Groom, she has become the mother of a little daughter, Louise. Our subject is a valued member of the Christian Church, and politically, belongs to the Alliance party, but has always been a strong Democrat. Financially, he has been greatly prospered, and, winning his way steadily upward, now owns a fine farm of three hundred acres, all under a high state of cultivation. He has further inproved his homestead by building a magnificent brich house and an excellent barn and substantial outbuildings. A lifetime resident of the county, Mr. Groom has been from early years associated with the growth and progress of his portion of the State, and, commanding the respect of the entire community, has a host of sincere friends.

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From: The History of Cooper County Missouri by W.F. Johnson page 484-486

Colbey Coward Groom, who died at his farm home, the old Kickashear place, at the edge of Overton in Saline township in 1912, was a Virginian. He was born in Louisa County, in 1859, a son of Samuel and Sallie (Smith) Groom, and was reared and educated in that county. Samuel Groom was born in Kentucky but in 1812 his parents returned to Virginia. Samuel was a babe in arms at the time being carried in the arms of his mother, who made the trip on horseback. Of the 12 children born to Samuel Groom and wife two are now living, John M. Groom, of Bunceton, and James Groom, Shady Side, Ohio. In 1880, Colbey C. Groom came to Cooper County. Not long after coming here he bought a part of the farm now owned by Henry Schnuck in Saline township and settled there in 1883. Not long afterward, however, he sold that place to Mr. Schnuck and then bought from Mrs. Margaret Kickashear, his wife's mother, the farm at the edge of Overton on which he spent the remainder of his life. He died in 1912. He is buried in the Clayton cemetery. It was on that farm on Oct. 29, 1883, that Colbey C. Groom was married to Emma Kickashear, her parents having moved there when she was but a child, she receiving her schooling in the Highland school. The Groom farm is one of the best in that section of Cooper County and is admirably located just at the southeast edge of Overton. Of the 300 acres in the farm 110 acres is Missouri River bottom land and the rest upland, the place thus not only being an excellent grain producer but well adapted to stock raising. Mr. Groom was a man of excellent qualities and left a good memory in the neighborhood. He was a member of the Woodmen of the World at Gooch's Mill, the Modern Woodmen of America at Overton and of the Modern Brotherhood at Wooldridge, and in the affairs of these several organizations, as well as in church work and in the general social affairs of the community took a hearty interest, he and his family having been among the organizers of the Sunday school of the Highland Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Emma K. Groom is a daughter of Joseph and Margaret (Rymel) Kickashear and was born on the place on which she is now living. The cabin in which she was born and in which her parents began housekeeping is still standing on the place. This cabin originally occupied the site of the present farm house, but when the latter was erected was moved over to make room for the new house and is carefully preserved as a relic of pioneer days. Joseph Kickashear was an Italian who came to America in the days of his young manhood and in 1852 became a resident of Cooper County. His name was Chicazolla, but the soft Italian pronunciation of this name apparently was too difficult for his Missouri neighbors, who by common consent "Americanized" it to Kickashear, a process to which Mr. Chicazolla offered no serious objection and in this latter form it has now been the family name for three generations. In 1855 Joseph Kickashear married Margaret Rymel, a member of one of the pioneer families of this neighborhood, and settled on the farm on which his widow is still living. Mrs. Kickashear now 83 years of age, is the only living charter member of the Highland Cumberland Presbyterian Church and still maintains her interest in that organization, a constant attendant at Sunday school and otherwise interested in the work of the church. She is well and active and during the recent war knit 50 pair of socks for the Red Cross. She and her husband were the parents of seven children, of whom four are still living, those besides Mrs. Groom being the following: Mary Frances, Aberdeen, Wash., widow of George Johnson; Andrew J., Sedalia; and Virginia Leta, wife of Fred Schilb, postmaster at Prairie Home. The deceased members of this family are Martha, who died in infancy; George, who died at tie age of 21 years, and Morris, who married Kate Hickman and who, as well as his wife, died, leaving a son Joseph, then 10 years of age, who was reared by Mrs. Groom and who died at the age of 19 in 1914. To Colbey C. and Emma (Kickashear) Groom were born seven children. Of these a son, the third in order of birth, and a daughter, the fifth in order of birth, died in infancy, the others being as follows: Joseph Hurt Groom, named in honor of his maternal grandfathe r and Dr. Hurt, of Boonville, and who is now farming in Saline township; Bessie, wife of Ernest H. Ambrose, farmer, Overton; John Clay Groom, farmer, Saline township; George K., who died at the age of 20 years, and Colbey Coward Groom, who is farming the home place. He married Dena Grannemann, of Saline township, and has a daughter, Dorothy Pauline. Mrs. Groom has seven grandchildren, Zerelda Hazel and George Ambrose, Laura Virginia, Jessie Madeline and Dorothy Pauline Groom and Paul and Chapman Groom. As noted above, Mrs. Groom and her husband were the chief promoters of the organization of the Sunday school of the Highland Cumberland Presbyterian Church and during the 21 years of that school's service she has missed voluntarily attendance but four Sundays and for 20 years was the teacher of one class.