Montgomery Groenendyke

    Montgomery Groenendyke, an enterprising agriculturist, and one of the representative citizens of Jackson Township, is a native of Indiana, born in Fayette County, July 18, 1828, a son of James and Barbara (Buck) Groenendyke, the former a native of Holland, Germany, and the latter born in North Carolina. They were married in Wayne County, and were among the pioneers of Fayette County, where they settled after their marriage. They had born to them seven children. The father was twice married, and by his first wife had eight children, being the father of fifteen children.

    Montgomery Groenendyke, whose name heads this sketch, was reared a farmer in his native county, receiving his early education in the district schools, which eh completed at the North Western Christian University at Indianapolis. After completing his education he taught school for some time, becoming a popular as well as a successful teacher. He afterward began working at the carpenter's trade, which he followed twenty-five years.

    He enlisted in the war of the Rebellion August 18, 1862, in Company A, Eighth Indiana Infantry, and was in the service of his country until July 10, 1865, when he received an honorable discharge, when he returned to his home.

    September 24, 1866, he was united in marriage to Miss Melinda Senior, who was born in Kentucky, but reared in Marion County, Indiana. They are the parents of three children -Lou, born March 8, 1868; Frank, born May 24, 1870, and Forest, born November 23, 1881.

    Mr. Groenendyke, located on his present farm in 1867, which at that time was a dense forest. He has improved his farm in a good manner, and now has eighty-three acres cleared and under fine cultivation. In connection with his general farming he devotes considerable attention to stock-raising, making a specialty of short horn registered cattle, of which he has the best herd in the county. In politics Mr. Groenendyke affiliates with the Republican party.

Source: Biographical and Historical Record of Jay and Blackford Counties, Indiana by The Lewis Publishing Company, 1887.