Holt County, MO Biography
Jacob GROESBECK, whose farm adjoins Mound City, was born in
Rensellaer Co., N. Y. on Nov. 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 Co., N. Y., his father having
died in 1828. He moved to Springfield, Ill. in 1840 and worked
in the town four years. He then went to Galena, Ill. 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 Co.
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 Co., Mo. and
lived there until 1870 when he came to Holt Co. 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.