306 THE PORTRAIT GALLERY 
KEEPER OF THE SHORTHORN SEALS 
118. Since the beginning of Illinois’ agricultural history, 
Sangamon county has stood for the best in improved livestock, 
and some of the earliest Shorthorn herds were cradled within its 
environs. Nurtured in this progressive atmosphere, numerous of 
her sons have stepped out from her borders to render the highest 
of services to purebred livestock breeding. Such a man was 
Joun W. Groves, secretary of the American Shorthorn Breeders’ 
Association from 1901 to 1912. Born in 1849 and possessed of 
a good common school education, Mr. Groves early took a 
prominent part in the rather extensive business affairs in which 
his father and brothers were engaged near Williamsville, IIl. 
Nurtured on the farm his interests naturally ran to farm products, 
and he bred and fed market cattle for a term of years during the 
latter 70’s and early 80’s. An opportunity for personal advance- 
ment brought him to Chicago in the livestock commission busi- 
ness about 1885, but he soon tired of the atmosphere and did not 
realize his expectations, due to the business depression of the 
period. Hence about 1890 he returned to Williamsville and once 
more participated with his family in their business there. He 
took charge of one of the several farms operated by GEORGE 
Groves & Sons, and in addition conducted a flourishing business 
as buyer and shipper of market stock. In 1894 he was elected 
treasurer of his county, retaining that position until 1898. 
The following year Mr. Groves entered into his first relations 
with the Shorthorns, when upon the recommendation of J. FRANK 
PRATHER, (119) his associate in a Williamsville bank, he was 
elected assistant secretary of the American Shorthorn Breeders’ 
Association. At that time Mr. PicKRELL (95) was beginning to 
lose some of that sturdy vigor which had characterized the earlier 
years of his life, and due to insufficient help the work of the 
office had piled up to about a twelve-month arrearage. On Mr. 
PICKRELL’s demise in 1901, Mr. GRovEs was made his successor 
