Holt County, Missouri

Biographies

Jacob GROESBECK

Jacob GROESBECK, whose farm adjoins Mound City, was born in Rensellaer Co., N. Y. on November 28, 1821. His ancestors were among the earliest Dutch settlers of New York. His father was Herman Groesbeck and his mother's maiden name was Mary BOVEE. In 1835, he and his mother moved to Chautauqua County, N. Y., his father having died in 1828. He moved to Springfield, Illinois, in 1840 and worked in the town four years. He then went to Galena, Illinois. and worked in the lead mines during the summers and stayed with his mother and brothers in Springfield during the winters. About 1851, he located in Peoria Co., Ill., purchased 40 acres of land, and engaged in farming. He was married in May, 1851 to Mary Jane Darby of Peoria County.

In 1857, he moved to Nebraska, settling about 3 miles from the town of Peru. He farmed there and owned upwards of 500 acres of land. In 1862, he became a resident of Atchison County, Missouri and lived there until 1870 when he came to Holt County and settled on his present 343 acre farm. He is engaged in general farming. Prior to the Civil War, he was a Democrat, strongly supported the Union during the war, and has since been a Republican. He has seven children: Lizzie, wife of James INKS of Mound City; Jacob Alonzo; Melissa; Harriet; William; Charles; and Luella. The farm on which he resides is one of the oldest settled in that part of the county. It was settled in 1840 or 1841. A postoffice was formerly kept there by Andrew P. JACKSON, and called Jackson's Point. It was afterwards known as North Point.

Source: "An Illustrated Historical Atlas Map, Holt County, MO.
Published by Brink, McDonough & Co., Philadelphia, 1877

Provided by Dave Roberts of Lyon County, Kentucky, a former Holt County resident.