only child of Jesse Groner - Mary Ann Alldredge

William C. Groner married Mary Susan Rowland on 6 April 1866. She preceded him in death on 17 September 1873. Two children were born to this union: Mary Alice Groner and Mrs. L.G. Hiller.

William C. Groner married Cleopatra Clementine Dunnegan on 5 December 1875 at Grayson County, Texas. She preceded him in death. There were nine childen born to this union.

Wililam C. Groner married Fannie Groner, his third wife. The couple divorced in 1920.

William C. Groner married Tillie Groner, who survived him.

W.C. Grover, 82, died at his home near Loving, Texas after an illness of only a few hours. Services were held by Rev. G.W. Black and Rev. W.E.B. Lockridge at Loving and a short service was conducted at Oakwood cemetery by Rev. A.R. Bilberry, Baptist pastor in Jacksboro.

W.C. Groner enlisted in the Confederate Army at the age of 17 years and served three years. After the War, he settled in Texas and followed the profession of teaching school and for a time, practicing law, after having been admitted to the bar. He was a strong believer of education and through his efforts all of his children completed high school and several have received college degrees.

W.C. Groner was a charter member of the Graham Baptist Church of which he was a member at his death. His name being the first on the Graham Baptist Church rolls.

Survived by his wife; children - Mrs. L.G. Hiller, Mrs. M.A. Moore, Dr. F.S. Groner, H.L. Groner, Mrs. Maud Robinson, Mrs. Carrie Bell Bondeson; Orville Groner, Mrs. Winnie Horsfall.

The First Baptist Church of Graham was founded 13 April 1880. On that date, Rev. W.B. Long, Rev. M.S. Stamps and Rev. G.W. Black called the Baptists together and the church was organized. W.C. Groner was the first Baptist to step forward and be recognized and became a charter member.

The old Groner home was built in 1895 by W.C. Groner and his wife, Clementine. The lumber was hauled by wagon from a sawmill on Big Sandy River between Bridgeport and Decatur. It took one day by wagon each way and Mr. Groner slept under the wagon during the night until the house was completed. The architecture is a New England "Salt Box" type with three gables on the front. The walls were formed by standing rough sawn 1x2s on end side by side without any studs to support the framework. There are one foot steel bars criss-crossing the north and sourth was to form a huge "X" support for both stories. On the second floor can be seen two 1" steel bars, extending from west to east through the rafter area to add strength. The original fireplace in the north living room is built out of native stones similar to the stone on the west side of the Jacksboro square. This fireplace was built in 1895. The west side of the Jacksboro square was built in 1898. The original front porch was made of wood and high enough off the ground to provide storage for onions, potatoes underneath the floor. In the 1950s, Homer Whitsitt did extensive remodelling to the house. Indoor plumbing was installed and studs were put in the walls with sheet rock inside. Butane gas was installed. In 1952, electricity was added to the house. In January 1961, Dr. and Mrs. W.G. Mask bought the property and did extensive restoration.

Contributed by Dorman Holub