Thomas Grubb
Thomas Grubb, a member of one of the pioneer families of the county, and a respected citizen and substantial farmer, resides on his excellently improved farm of 125 acres, situated in section 35, Amanda township. Mr. Grubb was born in LaFayette, this county, September 27, 1853, and is a son of John B. and Elizabeth (Robinson) Grubb.
John B. Grubb, father of our subject, was born in 1820 and his wife in September, 1826. They are old and well-known residents of Auglaize township and are still living at the ages respectively of 86 and 80 years. When John B. Grubb first came to Allen from Washington County, Ohio, he rode through the forest and blazed a path, his parents following with an ox team and being obliged to cut a road in order to reach the site of their future home. His mother was a native of Ireland. John B. Grubb and wife had six children, our subject being the fourth in order of birth.
Thomas Grubb was reared to be a practical farmer. His parents sent him to both the district and a select school, and he remained at home until 1878, when he married. On February 26, 1881, Mr. Grubb purchased his present farm in Amanda township, which as he describes it, was then a "regular frog pond;" but it bears no resemblances to that now with its 2,500 rods of drain tile and its surface showing productive fields and rich pastures. Mr. Grubb has given much attention to the growing of fine stock, and makes a specialty of full blooded Merino sheep. The whole property is neatly fenced and its substantial and systematic appearance testifies to Mr. Grubb's home interest, as well as to his agricultural ability. In 1894 he erected his beautiful residence, and four years later, his substantial barn, the dimensions of the latter being 40 by 50 feet, with 18 foot posts. His other buildings are entirely adequate for the purposes intended, and the entire place adds to the general attractiveness of Amanda township.
On August 29, 1878, Mr. Grubb was married to Catherine Bowers, who is a daughter of John B. and Amanda E. (Shannon) Bowers. Mrs Grubb was born at Springfield, Ohio, April 20, 1859. Her parents moved to Auglaize township, when she was two years old. Her father died April 1, 1863, but her mother survived until May 9, 1880. Mr. and Mrs. Grubb have three children, viz: Rolla Gleaner, Laura Bessie and Zida Maud. The son attended college at Lima, where he now has his residence, being a traveling salesman. He married Maude Ellen Myers. Laura Bessie married Marion Hillyard, of Shawnee township, and they have three children Daisy Pearl, Myrland Dwight and Howard. Zida Maud married Edward Boyer, of Spencerville, and they have one son, Ivan Grubb. The four grandchildren find in their grandparents very indulgent elders, while the latter enjoy the respect and affection lavished upon them so heartily by the younger generation.
Mr. Grubb has been a lifelong Democrat and has frequently represented the party in county and State conventions. In 1882 Mr. Grubb was elected justice of the peace, and served the township as such for six years, rendering during this period many very important decisions which met with general approval. He has been prominent in the Patrons of Husbandry, has held almost every position in its gift and was secretary of the county organization. With his estimable wife, he is an active worker in the Methodist Episcopal Church at Allentown. She was converted at the age of 15 years, and Mr. Grubb, in 1878, He is a steward and president of the township Sunday-school association.
Thomas Grubb, farmer and justice of the peace, P. O. Kempton, was born in Jackson Township, Allen Co., Ohio, September 27, 1852; son of John B. and Elizabeth (Robinson) Grubb, who are still living, the former born in Morgan County, the latter in Jackson Township, Allen Co., Ohio. They were early settlers of Auglaize County, Ohio.They are the parents of four living children: John A., Letitia J., Thomas and Annie E. Thomas was reared on a farm, and has always followed agricultural pursuits. His education was limited to such as could be obtained in the common schoolsof those days. He was united in marriage, August 28, 1878, with Miss Catherine Bowers, of Auglaize Township, this county, born April 20, 1859, daughter of John and Amanda E. Bowers, the former of whom, one of the early settlers of Allen County, died about 1865. To this union three children were born: Rolla G.,Laura B. and Maud. Mr.Grubb moved to Amanda Township, this county, in 1879, and settled on the farm where he now resides.He was a charter member of Rattlesnake Grange of Jackson Township. He is a consistent membe rof the Methodist Episcopal Church. In his political views he is identified with the Democratic party. He was elected and commissioned justice of the peace in 1880, and during his four years of service has performed most of the official work of this office in the township. Our subject is an energetic and enterprising man, and is destined to become one of the substantial farmers of Amanda Township.
From "History of Allen County, Ohio," Warner, Beers & Co., Chicago, 1885