Groves - Hugh - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

Hugh B. Groves, one of the early settlers of Parke County, died at his home two miles south of Waveland Thursday night, Apr. 22, of old age. The funeral took place Sunday morning at 11 o’clock from the Christian Church conducted by Rev. T. J. Shuey. Rev. Shuey preached a sermon from these words: “Lord, behold him whom thou lovest is dead.” After the sermon he referred to the dead and spoke as follows: Hugh B. Groves was born in Mason County, Ky., January 9, 1809, and united in marriage with Elizabeth Barton, August 22, 1833. To this union were born seven children, four of whom are still living. Those surviving are: John L., David A., Oliver B., and Mrs. Kate Bridges.

Mr. Groves united with the Christian Church at Poplar Run, Ky., in 1830, being immersed by Elder John Smith, and lived a consistent Christian life until death, which occurred April 22, 1896. The subject of this sketch was of German parentage, His father, Frederick Groves, being one of the early settlers of Mason County, Ky. “Uncle Hugh,” as everyone called him was a man of strong will and possessed great powers of endurance. Coming to Parke County, Ind., while it was still a wilderness, he built a log cabin upon the farm which he owned at the time of his death and upon which he lived all these years, having settled there permanently in October, 1837.

It seems useless for one to speak of his cardinal virtues; knowing him as a man and a citizen, a neighbor and a friend. However, you will bear me out in a few statements and endorse them as tributes to a worthy man. He was an exceedingly strong character, a man of deep convictions and the word compromise didn’t seem to be needed in his vocabulary. I am warranted in saying that where it was a question of principle he always had the courage of his convictions, and this is much to his credit. Of all the men I have visited during sickness as well as sorrow, no one of them seemed more immovable, centered in the promises of God’s word than he did. “Contend earnestly for the faith once for all delivered to saints,” was one of his favorite passages, and that the religion of Christ consisted primarily in truths to be believed, commandments to be obeyed and blessings to be received and enjoyed. These were his convictions. He never faltered. True to them he lived, soothed by them he endured, and cheered and sustained by them, he died in triumph.

It will soon be three years since, bending over the casket which stood where his own now stands, he pressed his lips for the last time upon the marble brow of her who had been his companion and true help-meet for more than half a century, and said: “Goodbye, it won’t be long.” But to him it has seemed an age, for these three years have been years of suffering and sorrow. I have often felt after talking with him that truly he was “waiting, only waiting.” But the summons came. Lovingly and tenderly did children and neighbors watch at his bedside till all was over, and wiping the death damp from his brow could say, “All is well.” Today, trusting childhood, strong manhood and silvered age will drop a tear as we tenderly lower his remains into the “windowless palace” and whisper, “All is well.”

The funeral was largely attended. Interment was in the new cemetery just north of Waveland.