Jonathan Groome was the fourth child born to Joseph and Elizabeth (Smith) Groome. He was born in the Shoreditch area of Greater London on 29 Nov 1845. The family emigrated to America, arriving at New Orleans in 1850.
In 1861, at the outbreak of the American Civil War, some of his brothers joined the Confederacy as members of the 28th Mississippi Cavalry, Company C. As soon as he was old enough, Jonathan joined as well as a buglar. Following the war, Jonathan apparently returned home to Vicksburg and went to work for a local butcher. The 1866 Vicksburg City Directory had him living at Fred Loyd's butcher shop where he also worked.
Jonathan (known as John) married Mary Dorney on 23 Apr 1867 at St. Paul Catholic Church in Vicksburg. By 1870 he was a foreman for the Constitution Fire Company. Then by 1880 he was working as the city marshall. [1880 Federal Census: Mississippi, Warren County, Vicksburg, District 70, page 337D, household 237/248]
We learn quite a bit about his life from his obituary which was published in the Vicksburg Evening Post on 17 Jan 1903.
CAPT. GROOME
Death Carried Off a Well Known Citizen
After an illness of some two years, death came to Captain John Groome at 4 o'clock this morning, in the 57th year of his age.
He was a native of this city, and a veteran of the Confederate army. For 20 years he was Chief of Police of this city. In the days of the old Volunteer Fire Department, he was one of the most active workers, and a loyal member. For several years he wa in command of No. 1 Fire Company. His service as Chief of the Police force, date back to the time when the conditions in this city were much different from today.
The decreased gentleman leaves his wife, one daughter, Mrs. Joe Katzenmeyer; two sons, Mr. Robert and Mr. Fred Groome; four brothers, Mr. Will Groome and Mr. R. G. Groome of this city; Mr. Joe Groome of El Paso Texas, and Mr. Chas. E. Groome of Washington City.
His funeral will take place from the family residence No. 321 East Clay street at 3 p.m. tomorrow, and at St. Paul's Catholic church at 3:30 o'clock. The following named gentlemen have been selected as pall-bearers: John O. Kearney, W. O. Smith, Geo. P. Roach, J. D. Laughlin, Dr. T.G. Birchett, J.D. Thames, T. J. Hossley and Dan. Keefe.
Mary Dorney Groome was born 15 Oct 1849 to John and Ann Dorney in Ireland. The Dorney family entered the United States in 1852 according the the 1900 census record. Mary died in Vicksburg on 11 Aug 1928.
John and Mary had four children: Annie, Fred, Robert Lee "Bob", and Rose who died on 10 Jun 1882 after her fourth birthday.
Annie Groome married Joe Katzenmeyer. She was born 14 Jul 1869 in Vicksburg. According to her obituary (shown below), she died in Greenville MS on 8 Jan 1952.
MRS. KATZERMEYER DIES; FUNERAL TO BE AT ST. PAUL'S
Mass For Former Resident Wednesday At 11 O'Clock
Mrs. Annie Katzenmeyer, widow of the late Joseph Katzenmeyer, died early today at the home of her daughter, Mrs. J. A. Crawford, in Greenville. She is survived by her daughter, Mrs. J. A. Crawford, four grandsons and five great-grandchildren. Mrs. Katzenmeyer was related to the Groome, Katzenmeyer and Evans families of this city.
Mrs. Katzenmeyer was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Groome and wa a member of St. Paul's Catholic Church congregation until she moved in 1924 to make her home in Greenville. She was born in Vicksburg on July 14, 1869, and received her education at St. Francis Xavier Academy.
Funeral services will be held at her home in Greenville at 8 o'clock Wednesday morning and then the remains will be brought to Vicksburg to St. Paul's Catholic Church, where funeral mass will be held at 11 o'clock Wednesday morning. Interment will be in the City Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Walter Smith, Joseph DiRago, Joseph Balconi, Hardy Katzenmeyer, C. Leonard Katzenmeyer, Sr., F. J. Groome, J. D. Evans,Jr., R. F. Evans and Joseph E. Palermo.
The Fisher Funeral Home is in charge of local arrangements.
[from Vicksburg Evening Post, 8 Jan 1952, page 1]
Fred J. Groome was born 14 Mar 1871 in Vicksburg and died 31 Mar 1925 according to his obituary (shown below). He married Lucy Piazza, daughter of Lewis and Gertrude Santoni Piazza. She was born 30 Mar 1875 and died 7 Nov 1949 in Vicksburg.
FRED J. GROOME DIED SUDDENLY OF PARALYSIS
Chief Clerk of Y. & M. V. Railroad Office Here Expires at Home
Fred J. Groome, 51, born and reared her, member of a prominent family and chief clerk at the Y. & M. V. railroad freight office, suffered a paralytic stroke at his home 909[?] norht Cherry Street, about 8 o'clock this morning and died at 10.
Mr. Groome had just finished dressing and had not complained of feeling ill. The funeral wil take place Thursday morning at 10 o'clock from the home and 9:20 at St. Paul's Catholic Church.Requiem mass will be celebrated. Monsignor J. M. Prendergast to officiate.
Mr. Groome was the son of Capt. Jack and Mary Groome, his father for some years having been chief of police here. His mother is still living and has been making her home with her son.
Deceased is survived by a wife and four children: John Louis of Asheville, North Carolina; F. J. and Misses Natalie and Lucille; also a brother, Bob Groome of Clarksdale, a twin of the deceased, and a sister, Mrs. A. E. Katzenmeyer of Greenville.
While Mr. Groome had not been in the best of health of late he had continued at work daily and was in bright spirits when he retired last evening.
With Y. & M. V. Railroad
Mr. Groome, as a young man, had worked for the A. & V. railroad, subsequently was with Plazza and Botto, then went in business for himself for some years, and later was employed by the Y. & M. V. railroad.
Mr. Groome was faithful and conscientious in all his dealings. He was modest and unassuming and devoted to his family.
Deceased was a member of the Knights of Columbus, and had served the local council as recording secretary and lecturer.
The dead man was held in high esteem by the community and his sudden death comes as a great shock.
[from Vicksburg Evening Post, 31 Mar 1925, page 1]
Robert "Bob" Groome was born 14 Mar 1871 and died 28 Sep 1947 in Vicksburg. He married Mary Catherine Towbridge. She was born 6 Jun 1871 and died 8 Dec 1956 in Vicksburg. His obituary is given below.
Robert L. Groome Dies In Clarksdale, Funeral Rites Here
Robert L. Groome, former resident of Vicksburg, died at his home in Clarksdale Sunday after failing health for some months. He was born in Vicksburg and attended Saint Aloysius High School.
He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Mamie Trowbridge Groome; two daughters, Miss Doris Groome and Mrs. Ira Lane; one granddaughter and one great grandson; a sister, Mrs. Annie Katzenmeyer of Greenville and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday morning at 9 o'clock from Fisher Funeral Home with Rev. Father Martin Glenn officiating at the home and graveside and Rev. Father Michael Campbell officiating at services at St. Paul's Catholic Church at 9:30 o'clock. Interment will be in City Cemetery.
The pallbearers will be Abe Meyer, S. J. Treanor, F. J. Groome, John B. Evans, Fred Evans, and Dr. L. J. Gilbert.
[from Vicksburg Evening Post, 29 Sep 1947, page 2]
John and Mary's last child was a daughter they named Rose. She was born on 23 Mar 1878, but died on 10 Jun 1882 at the age of four.
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