--A letter, from his wife Oct. 24, brings the sad news that the venerable Rev. J. B. Groves, of Finis, Jack County, Texas, is probably fatally ill; that he is not expected to live. His sons have been summoned to his bedside. Mr. Groves is in length of service one of our oldest ministers. He has spent his life laboring in Arkansas and Texas where he is widely known and loved for his faithfulness and zeal. The editor of "The Cumberland Presbyterian" learns with deep personal sorrow of the probably early death of this aged man, whom we love not alone for his worth and work, but because he is the oldest brother of our mother.
[Source: The Cumberland Presbyterian, November 3, 1898, page 569]

--Rev. J. B. Groves, of Finis, Tex., died at 8 p.m., November 24, after a lingering illness of forth days. A letter from his wife brings information that the end came painlessly and that "he died as he lived, with abiding faith in the triumphs of the Christian religion, and in a glorious immortality beyond the grave."
[Source: The Cumberland Presbyterian, December 8, 1898, page 720]

--Before his death the late Rev. John B. Groves, of Finis, Jack County, Texas, bequeathed his large library, one half to Cumberland University and the other half to Trinity University. His wife writes that she is making haste to deliver the books to the institutions named. Mr. Groves spent his long live acquiring and studying the best available volumes, and his contribution to these two libraries will doubtless add greatly to their value.
[Source: The Cumberland Presbyterian, December 22, 1898, page 784]

Rev. J. B. Groves, the son of Henry and Mary Groves, was born in Clark County, Illinois, in October, 1824. He professed religion at the old Big Creek camp grounds while quite young. Rev. Isaac Hill was the pastor of the church at that time. He removed to Arkansas when he was about 22 years of age. He there joined the presbytery that embraced Helena, and was there inducted into the ministry. He remained in that county until some time during the war when he removed to Texas. At the close of the war he returned to Arkansas and remained a few years. He then came again to Texas which he made his home until death called him home.

The subject of this sketch was a very useful man in the ministry. When in his prime there were few if any preachers in the State of Arkansas that excelled him in revival work and building up churches. The writer has often heard W. G. L. Quaite and others tell of his power over the minds and hearts of the people in bringing them to Christ. During the late years of his life ill health forced him to abandon the active work of the ministry, yet his heart was still in the work, and he longed to again work for the Master. He suffered much during his last illness but bore his sufferings with patience. Two days before he died he repeated a part of the old hymn, "All hail the power of Jesus' name." He also prayed a beautiful and touching prayer. He told his wife of the beautiful crowns and bright stars that he saw awaiting him. He asked her if she did not see them. On the evening of Thanksgiving day his redeemed spirit forsook its wasted tenement and went to join the ransomed above. The deceased left a wife and several sons to mourn their loss. May God's blessing rest upon the bereaved family and the church which he loved and for which he labored, is the prayer of his brother.
                                                         J. S. GROVES.
   Mexia, Texas.
[Source: The Cumberland Presbyterian, December 29, 1898, page 825]

[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1899, page 165a]