Grover was born in Springfield, Livingston Co., New York, August 5, 1825; died in Lawrence, Kansas, July 28, 1879. He came to Lawrence in the second party. He was made Captain of the 1st military company in Lawrence. He served in defense of Lawrence in the Wakarusa War and participated in battles of Franklin, Ft. Saunders and Ft. Titus. In 1858 he was elected to County Commissioners and held the post four years. Other local positions he held: trustee; school board member; member House of Representatives, 1867; commission board member, 1869; chairman of the board, 1871 for four years; director St. Louis, Lawrence and Western RR Co.; commanded a company in Gen. Price's raid.
From the guide to the Joel Grover diary, 1857-1858, (University of Kansas Kenneth Spencer Research Library Kansas Collection)