Memorial Record of Western Kentucky, Lewis Publishing Company, 1904,
pp 680-681 (portrait in document) [Caldwell]

     MAJOR JOHN GROOM, who is engaged in the abstract and real
estate business in Princeton, is a well known and highly respected
citizen of Caldwell county.  This is his native county, his birth
having occurred on a farm here on the 7th of October, 1853.  He is a
son of James B. and Elizabeth (Snelling) Groom.  It has long been
understood that the founder of the Groom family in America was a
Manxman, who, on leaving the Isle of Man, crossed the Atlantic to
the new world and settled in Virginia.  The paternal grandparents of
our subject were Major and Christiana (Bibb) Groom, both of whom
were natives of Virginia, whence they came to Kentucky, settling in
the south part of Caldwell county about the year 1818.  They spent
their remaining days there, and Major Groom was active in the
development and progress of the locality, contributing in large
measure to its upbuilding [sic].  He was a soldier of the
Revolutionary war, and lived for many years to enjoy the freedom
which was purchased at the price of a long and bitter struggle, but
which resulted in founding the greatest republic on the face of the
globe.  The subject of this biography now has in his possession the
gun which his grandfather carried in that war.  He and his wife were
the parents of the following named children that grew to mature
years and left families: Patsy, Sallie, John, Benjamin, Richard,
William, James B. and Julia, all of whom are now deceased.
     James B. Groom, the father of Major John Groom, was born in
Virginia, and was brought by his parents to Kentucky when only a few
years old.  He was reared to farm life, early becoming familiar with
the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist, and
on entering upon his business career he continued to engage in
farming, making it his life work.  He wedded Miss Elizabeth
Snelling, a native of Caldwell county, Kentucky, to which section of
the state her parents had come in a very early day in its
development.  Taking his bride to his farm, he thereon reared his
family and continued to cultivate his land in order to provide for
their needs.  He died in the year 1895, when about seventy-nine
years of age, his birth having occurred in 1816.  His wife passed
away in 1862, when about forty years of age.  Their union was
blessed with nine children, eight of whom are now living.
     Major John Groom obtained a fair education in the public
schools and was reared under the parental farm amid the refining
influences of a good home.  He was early trained to habits of
industry, enterprise and integrity, and was actively engaged in
farming until 1889, when he became deputy sheriff.  He then removed
to Princeton, where he has since resided, although he has always
retained farming interests.  He served as deputy sheriff for four
years, and was then elected sheriff on the Democratic ticket in
1892.  After filling the position in an acceptable manner for two
years he was re-elected, and served altogether as sheriff for five
years, proving a most capable officer, fearless and faithful in the
performance of his duties.  He left the office as he had entered it,
with the confidence and good will of all concerned.  Since his
retirement from the office he has been engaged in the abstract and
real estate business in Princeton, and has obtained a good clientage
[sic] in this line.  He also has farming interests and derives
therefrom a fair income.
     An important event in the life of Major Groom occurred in 1893,
when was celebrated his marriage to Miss Willie Evans, a native of
Logan county, Kentucky.  They now have one son, to whom they gave
the name of Lorenzo Evans, and who is now eight years of age.  The
parents hold membership in the Baptist church, and are widely and
favorably known in the community which has always been their place
of residence.  Self-reliance, conscientiousness, energy and honesty,
these are the traits of character that insure the highest emoluments
and greatest success in life, and they are salient features in the
life record of Major Groom.  

Groom Snelling Bibb Evans
=
VA Logan-KY

http://www.rootsweb.com/~kygenweb/kybiog/caldwell/groom.mj.txt