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John M. Grovesteen, was born March 25, 1825, in Dutchess Co., N. Y. His parents were natives of Germany and Ireland, and his mother died when he was five years old. His father married a second time and passed the remainder of his life in the Empire State.
Mr. Grovesteen went to the state of Wisconsin when he was 18 years old, and five years later came to Pere Marquette, Northern Michigan, for the purpose of engaging in the lumber woods. He returned to Wisconsin after two years, and spent a few months, coming thence to Muskegon and Newaygo Counties, Mich. He worked for some time in both the latter at blacksmithing, and passed two winters in the woods scaling logs. His next business venture was the purchase of 80 acres of partly improved land in Dayton Township, for which he paid $800. This farm he occupied five years, sold out and moved to Big Prairie. He there became proprietor of 160 acres of wild land in Everett Township, where he established his homestead and erected a good house, which remained his abode during the remainder of his life.
Mr. Grovesteen met his death Feb. 2, 1883, by accident, being struck by a falling tree. He was a decided Republican, and a prominent man in his township. His stability and reliability of character made him generally esteemed, and he spent many years of his life in public official capacities. He was Supervisor of Everett Township four successive years, and Justice of the Peace five years. He belonged to the Masonic Order. He spent four months during the war of the Rebellion in the employment of the Government, working at his trade of blacksmith, with headquarters at Chattanooga. He was obliged to resign his post on account of illness.
Mr. Grovesteen was married March 25, 1857, in Big Prairie, to Eliza, third daughter of Jotham and Diantha (Garrett) Hall. The parents were natives of the State of New York, and came to Michigan during its pioneer period, finally settling in Big Prairie, where the father died. The other was again married, to Daniel Von Sickles, and resides in Big Prairie. Mrs. Grovesteen was born in Marshall, Calhoun Co., Mich., July 31, 1837. Ten children were born of her marriage, seven of whom survive: William, Jennie B., Lydia A., Edna, Emma P., Calista N. and Mary E. Charles N. was drowned at the age of four years and seven months. John died of diphtheria, aged nine years and ten months. Mattie died of diphtheria, in her infancy.
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