Standard History of Adams & Wells Counties, Indiana – 1918
Tyndall & Lesh, Pages 770

THOMAS GROVE

Success is determined by one’s ability to recognize opportunity and to pursue this with a resolute, unflagging energy. It results from continued labor and the man who thus accomplishes his purpose usually becomes an important factor in business or agricultural circles of the community with which he is connected. Through such means Thomas F. Grove has attained a leading place among the representative agriculturists of Chester Township, and his well-spent and honorable life has been rewarded by the accumulation of a good property, lying on Poneto Rural Route No. 1.

Mr. Grove is a native son of Wells County, Indiana, and was born on a farm in Harrison Township, December 28, 1873, being a son of Joshua S. and Lydia (Balur) GROVE, the former a native of Fairfield County, Ohio, and the latter also born in the Buckeye State. Both Joshua and Lydia GROVE were young people when brought by their parents to Indiana, the families settling not far from each other in Wells County, south of Bluffton and near Poneto, where the young people met. The grandparents passed the remaining years of their lives on their respective farms, reaching advanced years and rounding out careers of honor and usefulness. Joshua S. Grove was a lifelong farmer and the developer of a goodly share of property. He passed his life within the limits of Wells County from his boyhood, and during the later years of his life lived on the farm that is now occupied by his son in Chester Township, where he died November 17, 1899, Mrs. Grove passing away April 15, 1916. Mr. Grove was a democrat in politics, was active in the ranks of his party, and a man of some importance and influence in his community, serving in the capacity of county commissioner from 1895 to 1898. He was a devout Christian and a member of the United Brethren Church, to which Mrs. Grove, who died April 15, 1916, also belonged. They were the parents of ten children, of whom three are now living: Lollie, who is the wife of George W. Carnes, a minister of the Methodist Church; Merton A., a resident of Poneto; and Thomas F.

Thomas F. Grove took his studies at the district school in the vicinity of his father’s farm and was reared to the pursuits of agriculture, in which he has always been engaged. At the time of his father’s death, he became the manager of the property, which he operated for his mother until the latter’s death, when he became the owner by inheritance and by purchase from the other heirs. He had made numerous improvements on this land, which now presents a prosperous and up-to-date appearance, reflecting the spirit and enterprise of its owner. He is a democrat in his political views, and was for some years identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

In 1896 Mr. Grove was married to Stella Campbell, daughter of Robert Campbell, of Liberty Center, and they have two children: Ralph C. and Ruby M., the former a graduate of the graded schools, has spent one year in the Bluffton High School; and the latter is now attending the graded schools.