2nd wife was Elizabeth (Simpson) Handy

3rd wife was Docia Jane Garner

Father; Thomas Groves of NC.

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Lexington Weekly Intelligencer, February 2, 1895

Deaths

Died, at his residence, four miles south of Dover, Wednesday morning, January 30, 1895, at 8:20 o'clock, of dropsy of the heart, complicated with bronchial troubles.

David Groves, Sr.

We have not the data at hand from which to write a proper biographical sketch of Mr. Groves. He was born in Tennessee, and was nearly eighty-nine years of age. He came to Missouri in May, 1835, full of vigor and old-time business integrity. He bought a farm, moved upon it, improved it, and died in the house he built in his young manhood, having never lived in an other since it was completed. This characteristic of contentment, and love of home shone in his every-day life. When he formed attachments and friendships they were not dissipated nor dissolved by light or trivial matters. Once a friend he was always a friend, unless the best of evidence showed him that his friendship was misplaced. Ad when he professed friendship, it meant more than a mere acquaintanceship. His time, his house, his money, all were at the command of his friends.

He was an old-time Christian gentleman. He was an active member of the Methodist church for about seventy years. In his every act and conversation he reminded one of the "Old Virginia Gentleman." Kind-hearted, liberal to a fault, loving the truth, he was slow to suspect evil of others, and was quick to palliate and forgive.

The write of this has known Mr. Groves intimately for twenty-five years. In his death we feel that we have lost one of our best, truest friends, a man whose word was his scared bond; one who was slow to speak, but who always spoke his sentiments. We feel that the world has lost a benefactor; the county has lost one of her best citizens; the needy have lost a helping hand.

What can we say of the loss to the family who have lost such a father? No father could be more generous, more liberal, more loving than he. No husband could be ore considerate, more gentle, more affectionate. His pride was centered in his family. For years his daily prayer was that he might live to see his children educated. His prayer was more than answered. He has seen his large family of noble boys and honored girls grow into the highest type of manhood and womanhood, with his own grand traits of character so blended in them that not one ever did an act to cause a blush to mantle his cheek. He was the father of sixteen children, eleven of whom survive him, and ten of whom were present at his funeral. Blessed old age, to come under such circumstances.

Mr. Groves had been dangerously sick for four weeks. He knew his physical condition perfectly. Death did not creep upon his unawares. He was ready for the grim reaper. His wife, his sons and daughters and grand-children surrounded his bedside, doing every act of kindness that love could suggest. His mind was clear almost to the last minute. His physicians had given up hope, long ago, and said it was a mere matter of a few hours. It would have been useless to have attempted to deceive him about his condition, had there been any desire to do so. His mind not only grasped the situation at home, but he demanded that the newspapers be read to him, and he commented on public affairs with his usual clear foresight. He knew what it meant to see his family gathered about him day and night; he knew that his hours were numbered. But there was no shrinking. Wire man that he was, he long ago began to lay up his treasures in Heaven. He knew in whom he had trusted, and was not afraid. The beautiful, trusting faith of such a life and such a death is worth a thousand sermons to those who witnessed it.

The body was laid way in the family cemetery, near the old home, on the old farm, the funeral exercises being conducted by Rev. W.B. McFarland, his old pastor and old friend, assisted by Rev. W.T. Eastwood, who has grown to manhood almost in his sight. Rev. C.M. Bishop, of this city, and Rev. J.C. Shackelford also assisted in the services. The body was borne to the cemetery by six of his sons, and there given over to the pall bearers, who gently and reverently lowered it to its last resting place.