My Genealogy Hound

L. D. Groom, a dealer in general hardware, farm implements, wagons, etc., at Richland, was born in Camden County, Mo., in 1853, and is a son of James F. and Amanda (Cockrill) Groom. James F. Groom was born in Kentucky in 1811, and during life devoted his attention to farming and carpentering; he was a Republican in politics, and served several years as justice of the peace. His death occurred in 1866. Mrs. Amanda Groom was also a native of Kentucky, and was born in 1821; she died in 1882. The paternal grandfather of our subject was Enoch Groom, a native of Virginia, who was of Irish descent, and was a carpenter by trade. Dr. Anderson Cockrill, the maternal grandfather of L. D. Groom, was born in Virginia, and moved to Kentucky, from which State he removed to Missouri in 1837, and fifteen or twenty years later went to California, where he remained until his death, which occurred about 1862; he was a prominent medical practitioner, and also a minister of the Baptist Church. L. D. Groom was reared to the pursuit of farming, and received a common-school education. After attaining his majority he spent a short time at the academy as a student, where he was subsequently engaged two years as a teacher. In 1877 Mr. Groom married Maggie, daughter of A. J. and Mary E. Combs, formerly of Kentucky, and early settlers of Camden County, where Mr. Combs died in 1884; he was a farmer and stock trader. Mrs. Combs is still living. Mrs. Groom is a native of Camden County, and is the mother of three children. After his marriage Mr. Groom turned his attention to farming until 1881, when he removed to Richland and engaged in the grocery business until 1883, under the firm name of Combs & Groom; in the latter year he established his present business, and carries a stock of general hardware, etc., worth about $5,000. He has been mayor of Richland since 1887, and is one of the enterprising men of the town. He is a member of Richland Lodge No. 382, A. F. & A. M., and is also a member of Linn Creek Lodge No. 307, I. O. O. F. Mrs. Groom is a member of the Christian Church.