My Genealogy Hound

JOHN GREAVES, a well known businessman of Kingsville, has established himself in the confidence and good will of the people of this village and locality by his uniformly fair and upright dealings. In partnership with James Ruff he has been successfully engaged in operating the Kingsville Mills since 1871. The firm also deals quite extensively in cattle and hogs. They have been closely identified with the growth and prosperity of Kingsville since coming here, and take great interest in whatever affects its welfare.

Thomas Greaves, the father of our subject, was a native of England, but left his native land with the intention of making permanent settlement in the United States, locating in Paterson, N. J. Later, however, he removed to Bridgeport, Conn., and subsequently became a resident of Steubenville, Ohio. He was skilled in the manufacture of cotton goods, and in 1845, having a good position offered him with a firm in St. Louis, Mo., he came hither, but died four years later from cholera, being then fifty years of age.

By his marriage the father of our subject had a family of six children, of whom three are now living. Anna is now Mrs. Fitch and makes her home in Norwalk, Conn.; John is the subject of this sketch; and Peter is engaged in buying wool and farming in Ephraim, Utah.

The subject of this sketch was born in Paterson, N. J., July 9, 1835. His education was very much neglected, for when a lad of nine years he entered a cotton factory, working at the business for three years. He was a natural mechanic, and as this industry did not meet with his ideas of business, he began learning the trade of a moulder in his native state. He worked at different places until the fall of 1859, when he came West and established for William Bullard the first foundry ever put in operation in Kansas City. At the breaking out of the war Mr. Bullard failed, and Mr. Greaves then turned his attention to learning the milling business in Kansas City.

After leaving Kansas City Mr. Greaves located in Clay County, just across the river, and in the spring of 1865 came to Columbus, Johnson County. His adventures proving successful, he remained there until 1871, the date of his advent into Kingsville, when he and Mr. Ruff established their present industry. Our subject gives his personal attention to the management of his business, and under his efficient care it has increased very rapidly, the firm of Greaves & Ruff being well known throughout Johnson County. As has been illustrated in the life of our subject, industry and economy will win in the race for fortune; he commenced at the bottom in his business, and, unaided, has climbed upward to a substantial position among the reliable citizens of this place.

The lady to whom Mr. Greaves was married in 1861 was Miss Mary E. Davis, of Tennessee. Their children are four in number, and of them we make the following mention: Annie married C. B. Hall, and they make their home in Kingsville. Their family includes the following children: Ollie, Fred, Harly, Errett, John and Eulice. William Greaves married Rettie Hastings, and their only son bears the name of Joseph Allen. Joseph and Eli A., who are attending school in Kansas City, are both brilliant young men and will graduate from the University Medical College of the above city in the spring of ‘95.

In politics Mr. Greaves was a stanch Democrat until about three years ago, when he changed his views and opinions and now votes for Prohibition candidates. He is an active member of the Christian Church and gives liberally to the support of the same. Having had very little education himself, he appreciates the value a knowledge of books gives, and it has always been his desire and ambition to give his children a collegiate education. He is a man of studious habits and good sound judgment, pleasant and affable in his manner, and is much respected by his fellow-citizens.