BIO:  John B. GROUP, Huntington Township, Adams County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Kathy Francis

Copyright 2005.  All rights reserved.
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History of Cumberland and Adams Counties, Pennsylvania
Chicago:  Warner, Beers & Co., 1886
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Part III, History of Adams County, Pages 458-459

JOHN B. GROUP, retired farmer, P. O. Idaville, was born August 11, 1815, about 
one mile and one-half southwest of Idaville, in Tyrone Township, this county, a 
son of Philip and Elizabeth (Rex) Group, both natives of Adams County.  The 
grandfather, Philip Grube, was a native of Germany, and settled in Tyrone 
Township prior to the Revolution.  John B. was reared on the farm, and during 
his youth was quite delicate in health.  He was educated in the schools of the 
vicinity, and at the age of twenty-four married, May 19, 1839, Mary Ann Haynes, 
daughter of John and Susan (Stock) Haynes.  The following named children blessed 
this union:  Howard Washington, William Montgomery, Lucy A. S., Mary J., Jesse 
Lunger and Hiram Leander, living, and John B., Jr., deceased.  In early manhood 
Mr. Group worked for five years for 50 cents by the day, and for three months 
each winter taught subscription school.  When the free schools were established 
he was examined by the county board, given a certificate, and then taught for 
six or seven terms at $14 or $15 per month.  At the age of eighteen he became a 
member of the Lutheran Church; but some four or five years later, becoming 
convinced that the doctrine of the Evangelical Association was more in 
accordance with the divine teachings, he joined that denomination.  Since then 
he has always had a family altar and divine worship at his house daily.  He has 
served for many years as class leader, exhorter and steward of that church, and 
has been a trustee ever since the organization of the Zion Church congregation 
at Idaville.  He and his wife and one other are the only ones now living of the 
first members of the congregation.  Zion Church was organized in 18-0, and on 
the erection of the first church edifice Mr. Group contributed $50 toward its 
completion, and has always been one of its chief supporters.  He was formerly a 
Democrat, but now a Republican, and has served as township supervisor for five 
years, school director, judge of election, clerk, etc.  He was always a friend 
of education, and when a school director favored the erection of the York Spring 
public school building.  He is a strong advocate of temperance, and one of the 
oldest and best citizens of the township.  The name was formerly spelled Grube, 
which, in German, signifies a digger of a wolf pit; it was afterward changed to 
Grupe, and is now spelled Group.