ALONZO GROUT, a prominent farmer of Pottawattamie County, is of Holland Dutch ancestry. Three brothers of that name came from Holland before the war of the Revolution, one settling in Massachusetts, one in New Hampshire and one in Vermont.

The grandfather of our subject, Hezekiah Grout, was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and was a farmer of Wethersfield, Windsor county, Vermont, but passed most of his life in Rutland County that state. He lived to the great age of ninety years. He was the father of seven children, viz.: Hannah, Chloe, Elmina, Nabia, John, Hezekiah and George. The father was an honest man, a patriotic soldier, and one who assisted in founding this great Republic.

John Grout, the father of our subject, was born in Wethersfield, Vermont, and learned farming in early life. He was married to Polly McAllister, and they had nine children, namely: Elkana, Daney, Alonzo, William, Henry, Rockwood, Marcia, Lucia and Louisa. The father lived all his life in Vermont, and died at the age of sixty years. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, and was an industrious and hard workingman.

Alonzo Grout, a son of the above and the subject of this sketch, was born April 10, 1829 in Wethersfield, Vermont, and learned the mason's trade in early life. In 1849 he came to Kane County, Illinois and worked at his trade in Aurora for ten years. He then moved to DeKalb County, Illinois, where he remained four years and next settled on a farm in Will County where he lived fourteen years.

In 1876 he came to Pottawattamie County and settled on his present farm of 250 acres where he has made many good improvements. The farm is in good condition showing the effects of careful husbandry. Mr. Grout has always held the respect of his fellow citizens, and in Will County held the office of Assessor, and in Knox Township, this county, has been Trustee, Supervisor and School Director several times. In his political opinions he is a Republican.

He was married in Aurora, Illinois to Emeline Rice, daughter of Layton and Manda (Waters) Rice. The father came from Vermont and settled near Aurora. Mrs. Grout was born in Rutland County, Vermont, December 26, 1831. Her great-grandfather, Joshua Vallet was a soldier in the Revolutionary War.

To Mr. and Mrs. Grout have been born eleven children, namely: Addie E., Clara C. deceased at thirty-two years of age; Fred A., Edgar R. deceased in infancy; Cora G. who died at the age of two years; Lizzie M., John D., Maude E., Merton B., Harry E. and Roy deceased in infancy.

There are eleven brothers and sisters in Mrs. Grout's family, viz.: Asahel, Emeline, Philander, John, Isaac, Alphonso, mary, Edgar, Albert, Eugene and Emigene. Mr. Grout had three brothers in the civil war: Henry, William and Rockwood. Henry was in the Fifty-Seventh Illinois, and was wounded at the battle of Pittsburg Landing, the ball passing into his stomach and being evacuated from his bowels, and he is still living. Rockwood was in a Vermont regiment. Mrs. Grout had two brothers in the war: Isaac and Alphonso. The former was in the Thirty-Sixth Illinois, held the office of Orderly, and served all through the struggle. He was in the battles of Pea Ridge, Shiloh and many others. Alphonso was also in an Illinois Regiment and was killed in his first battle - Vicksburg, May 16 and 17, 1863.

Contributed by: Darlene Vergamini