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Source: The Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Fulton County
Munsell Publishing Co., Chicago, 1908

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The Biography of John B. GROOM 

[Surnames: GROOM, MILLIGAN, ROBERTS] 

GROOM, JOHN B. 

    
One of the most energetic, persevering and thorough going among the younger elements of agriculturalists in Fulton County, is the subject of our sketch, a well-known and prosperous resident of Fairview Twp. Mr. Groom was born in Warren Co., IL Aug. 29, 1882, s son of William and Jeanette (MILLIGAN) Groom, natives of Illinois and Indiana, respectively. The birthplace of the former was Fairview Twp. on Aug. 14, 1854. The latter was born Dearborn Co., IN Mar. 9, 1855. William Groom was a farmer by occupation, industrious, diligent and thrifty and his labors were attended by well merited success. 
    
He spent his earlier life in Henderson and Warren Counties, and after carrying on farming there for a number of years moved to Fulton Co, where he located in Fairview Twp. in 1885. At that period he inherited a farm of 245 acres, which he cultivated with satisfactory results during the remainder of his active career. He departed this life Feb. 1, 1902. William and his estimable spouse became to parents of nine children, of whom John B. is the fourth. The others are: C. E. Groom, J. A. Groom, S. C. Groom, J. G. Groom, C. G. Groom, M. L. Groom, F. W. V. Groom, and T. R. Groom. 
    
In boyhood the subject if this sketch received a good mental training in the district schools, and passed his youth under the paternal roof, assisting his father in the operation of the farm. He has lived in Fariview Twp. for more than twenty years and as boy and man has been regarded by his neighbors as worthy of respect and confidence. 
    He is conducting the same farm which his father inherited during his infancy, and his brother James G., is associated with him in the work. In connection with the farm they operate all kinds of threshing machinery. 
    
On Nov 2, 1904, Mr. Groom was united in marriage with Lottie ROBERTS in Canton. She is a native of Kansas where she was born Mar. 7, 1874, and in girlhood attended the public schools. 
    
Mr. Groom is a Democrat, and he is connected to the Methodist Church.