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JOHN N. GROVES,
M. D., President and physician and surgeon of the Groves Dipsomania Sanitarium, of Tuscola, Ill., and the discoverer
of Groves' Dipsomania Cure, a most successful treatment for alcoholism, was born in Perry County, Ohio, February
21, 1841, and is a son of Lewis and Elizabeth (Hook) Groves. His parents were both natives of Ohio, and are now
deceased. In 1854, he accompanied them from the Buckeye State to Illinois, and the family settled in Crawford County.
At the age of fifteen he became a student of the Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware, where he pursued a three-years
course of study. Returning to Illinois, he began the study of medicine at Hardinsville in 1858, under Dr. S. M.
Meeker, of that place. In the fall of 1860 he entered the Chicago Medical College, in which he spent a winter and
summer term. In July, 1861, he began practicing in Watson, Effingham County, where he continued to follow his profession
until the 1st of August, 1882.
On
that date, Dr. Groves enlisted for the late Civil War as a private of Company F, Ninety-eighth Illinois Mounted
Infantry, under Capt. Albert Le Crone. He was at once made hospital steward, and in March, 1863, was promoted to
the rank of First Assistant Surgeon of his regiment, in which capacity he served until the close of the war. He
was detailed as surgeon to accompany the Fourth Michigan Cavalry in quest of Jeff Davis, and was present at the
capture of the Confederacy's president. After the close of the war he was mustered out of service, in July, 1865.
Immediately
returning to Illinois, Dr. Groves located in Effingham, where he formed a partnership with Dr. John Le Crone
in the practice of his profession. Soon afterwards he entered Rush Medical College, of Chicago, from which institution
he was graduated January 24, 1866. He then at once resumed practice in Effingham and continued in partnership with
Dr. Le Crone until 1868, when the connection was discontinued, and he removed to Freemanton, now Dexter, Ill.,
where he was in active practice until the year 1870. In that year he removed to Altamont, Effingham County, where
he engaged in practice until 1879, when he returned to Effingham, and soon built up here a large and lucrative
practice. On the 1st of January, 1893, he retired from general practice to accept the position of superintending
physician and surgeon of the sanitarium in Tuscola, Ill., that bears his name. This institution, although comparatively
young, is rapidly growing in importance and prominence, and bids fair to become at no distant day the leading institution
of its character in the country.
Dr.
Groves has been thrice married. In Watson, Ill., in January, 1862, he wedded Miss Regina V. Cline, who died May
5, 1863, leaving one child, a daughter, Regina V., now the wife of Jacob Zimmermann, a well-known attorney of Altamont.
In March, 1865, the doctor wedded Miss Anna K. Kellim, who died September 24, 1891, leaving two sons and a daughter,
namely: John N., George and Gussie. On the 16th of June, 1892, Dr. Groves was united in marriage in Effingham with
Miss Annie Sliger, his present wife. The father of our subject was a soldier in the late war, and a Sergeant of
the Sixty-fourth Regiment Illinois Infantry. His death occurred in 1864, while in the service. The mother survived
her husband and died at the age of seventy-eight 3 r ears.
Dr.
Groves is Surgeon-in-Chief of the Springfield, Effingham & Southeastern Railroad. He is also local surgeon
of the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad, and has served as physician and surgeon of Mercy Hospital in Effingham. In his social relations he is a member
of Altamont Lodge No. 533, A. F. & A. M. Dr. Groves has now been in the constant and successful practice of
his profession for thirty-two years, and has won a flattering reputation. His army service gave him valuable experience
in surgery in early life, which has been added to by an extensive practice. His natural ability and thorough study,
supported by long experience, have placed him in the foremost rank of successful men of his profession in southern
Illinois.
Portrait
and Biographical Record of Effingham, Jasper and Richland Counties Illinois, Containing Biographical Sketches of
Prominent and Representative Citizens, Governors of the State, and the Presidents of the United States. (Chicago:
Chapman Brothers, 1887), p. 524. Transcribed by Judy Rosella Edwards.
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