Fairfield Recorder, Fairfield Texas
Friday, March 20, 1925

DEATH OF WELL KNOWN PRESBYTERIAN MINISTER

Rev. J.S. Groves, first graduated of Trinty University, died here Monday
at the age of 88 years. He was born in Park County, Ill., the family moving
to Texas and settling near Milford in Ellis County in 1853. At the beginning
of the Civil War, he enlisted and was dangerously wounded in the batle
of Mansfield LA. The first year after his graduation, he served the churches
at Milford, and Fairfield, and Butler in Freestone County. In filling these
appointments he traveled 160 miles on horse back each month. To pay the
years works was $250.00. In 1872 he moved to Fairfield and supplied this
church, the church at Butler and the Box Church near Luna. He also organized
a church at Birdstone, Navarro County. In Nov. 1875 he removed to Cotton
Gin and served the church at that place in addition to the churches at
Fairfield. Box Church and Birdstone in 1879. In 1879 he took charge of
the church at Mexia suppling still the churches at Cotton Gin and Fairfield.
In 1888 he moved to Mexia and preached three Sundays per month and at Cotton
Gin One. He served the Fairfield Church seventeen years, Cotton Gin 23
years, and Mexia 19 years. Besides four other churches for shorty periods
of time during his pastorage at Cotton Gin. The congregation built a good
and substanial house of worship. At Mexia there was built one of the most
beautiful and commodious houses of worship in Central Texas.

From a Dallas News Special