The weekly intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1891-1901, 1895-02-02

Died, at his residence, fosr miles south
of Dover, "wednesday morning, January /
30, 1895, at S:M o'clock, OF dropsy of the
heart, complicated with bronchial
troubles,
DAVID GROVES. ST..
We have not the data at hand from
which tn 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. 1895. full of yieor and
oid-tins business integrity. He bought
IA farm, moved upon it, improved it. and
: died in the house he built in his young
manhood, having never lived in any other
- since it was completed. This character
istic OF contentment, and love Of home
shone in his everyday 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 mis-
placed. And when he professed friend
ship, it meant moro than a mere acquaint-
anccship. His time. his house, his
= money, all were at the command Of his
friends.
He Was an oid-time Christian gentle
man. He was an active member of the
Methodist church for about seventy years.
In his every act aud conversation he
reminded one of the sold Virginia Gentle
man," Kind hearted, liberal to a fault,
loving the truth. he was slow to suspec,
evil OF others. and waa quick t. pailiate
and forgive.
The writer of this has known Mr.
Groves Intimately for twenty-five yenrs
In his death we feel that we have lost one
Of our best, truest friends. a man whose
word Vas his sacred bond; one who wa'
slow to speak, but who always spoke hi
sentiments. We feel that the world hai
lost n benefActor; the county has lost one
OF her hest citizens; the needy have los
q helping hand.
What can We say of the loss to tn
family who have lost such a father? y,
father could be more generous, NOR
liberal, more loving than he. No hus
band could be more considerate, NOR
gentle, more affectionate. His pride Wa
centered in Eis family. For years hi
daily prayer was that he might live 1
see his children educated. His praye
was more than answered. lie has seel
his large family of noble boys and hon
ored girls grow into the highest type Il
manhood and w~omauhood, with his owI
grand trsits Of character SO blended i
them that net one ever did an act In caus
; a blush TO mantle his cheek. He was tn
father of sixteen children, eleven of whor
survive him, INT ten Of whom weI
present at his funeral. Blessed old az,
. to come undo such circumstances.
b Mr.. Groves had been dangerously sic
o for four weeks. lie knew his physic,
. condition perfectly. Death did not cree
upOn him unawares. lie was ready Il
, the grim reaper. His wife,, his sons an
daughters and grand children surrounde
his bedside, doing every act Of kindne'
. that love could suggest. His mind WI
u clear almost to the last minute. ii
{ physicians had given up hope, long ag
and said 1t was q mere matter Of a fe
hours. II would have been useless
o have attempted to deceive him about b
condition, had there been any desire
r do 50. His mind not only grasped ii
D. situation at home, but he demanded III
-e the newspapers be read to him, and
" commented ON public affairs with h
usual clear foresight. lie knew what
meant to see his family gathered abo
HIM day and night; he knew that b
hour were numbered. But there was
shrinking. Wise man that he was,
long q began to lay up his treasures
Heaven. lie know in WHOM he h
trusted, and was not afraid. The bsau'
fui, trusting faith OF snch a life and su,
a death is worth n thousand sermons
those who witnessed it.
Tn body was laid away in the FAM
cemetery, near the old home, Oh the I,
farm, the funeral exercises being 80
Quoted by Rev. W. Is. Mcfarland, his &
pastor and old friend, assisted 10y Il,
w. 4. Eastwood, who has grown 10 ma
hood almost in his sight. Rev. L.
Bishop, of this city, and Rev. }. G.. Shac
eIford also assisted Ia the services. 4
body was borne to the cemetery by six
his sons, and there given over to the p
bearers, who gently and reverea'
lowered il TO its last resting place.
A large number OF neighboIs and frieu
showed their 10y. and respect, by atten
ing. notwithstanding the severe wealth
And thus has passed from earth to
eternal reward oH- of Natures noGlemt
-. a ulan without guile; one whose frier
Mt. ship was an honor 10 any man.
3
X -. N.z-., 81 De-.