JAMES GROVER, farmer of Mt. Sterling township, was born in 1841. He is the son of Henry P. Grover (see this book). James attended the pioneer school, and afterward taught in a log house where the furniture was of the most primitive kind, - seats made of rough slabs, with wooden pegs for legs. He worked for his father until twenty-one, and then rented some land from him for two years. He then bought some land in Mt. Sterling township, and there built a log home, 16 x 18 feet. The log house gave place in time to neat buildings of all kinds, and he resided here until 1882, when he traded with his father for the old homestead. His present farm contains 160 acres, highly improved, with farm buildings that compare favorably with any in the township.

He married, August 13, 1863, Miss Margaret C. Putnam, of Brown County, Illinois. She is the daughter of William and Martha Putnam. Mr. and Mrs. Grover have three bright, intelligent children, - Minnie, Arthur and Oscar H. Mr. Grover and wife are members of the Primitive Baptist Church. Mr. Grover is a stanch Democrat in politics.