daughter of John Groom & Mary Ann Barwell-Dixey

Her actual date of birth(1861) does not match the tombstone(1857), but can be proved to be correct through genealogical research.

1860 Copely Twp.,Summit Co., OH
John Groom 35yrs
no occupation listed b. England
Mary Ann Groom 30yrs England
William Groom 8yrs England
Walter Groom 5yrs England
Andrew Birge 65yrs $2500 b. ??
Betsey Birge 58yrs b. OH
George Birge 25yrs b. OH
Samuel Birge 23yrs b. OH
Emily Birge 14yrs b. OH
(no Elizabeth born yet)

1870 Barkley Twp., Jasper Co., IN
John Groom 48yrs farmer $1500 $800 England
Mary A. 43yrs keeping house England
William 19yrs Eng farmer
Mary A 18yrs Eng
John W. 15yrs Eng
Elizabeth 8yrs OH
Martha J 2yrs IN
Joseph 6/12yrs IN Nov

1880 Barkley Twp., Jasper Co., IN
John Groom 56yrs farmer Eng Eng Eng
Mary Ann 53yrs wife keeping house Eng Eng Eng
Elizabeth 19yrs dau OH
Martha Jane 11yrs dau IN
Joseph Walter 9yrs son IN

She married Eli Washington Critser 4 Feb 1883 Rensselaer, IN

Rensselaer Republican 14 Jul 1952 front page & page 6
MRS. ELI CRITSER WHO CAME HERE BY COVERED WAGON TRAIN DIES AT 95.
The city lost some of its sparkle last night. "Aunt" Elisabeth Critser died.
The little lady who went through life with melody in her heart and who so courageously accepted the responsiblilties that were hers during her early years; one whose life span approached 96 years and who saw Jasper County history in its making since the covered wagon days when she came here from her native Ohio to ride with the tide of several generations to come, and certainly to heavily share in the moulding of the then new country.
The end came for the near-centenarian at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Charles (Daisy) Lohr, with whom she had made her home in recent years, after a four week illness. She became seriously ill several days ago when a thyroid ailment developed and placed still greater strain on her already greatly depleted strength. She died at 8:45 PM. Mrs. Critser would have reached 96 years of age on Aug 21.
Born In 1856
Mrs. Critser was born in Akron, Ohio Aug 21, 1856, a daughter of John Groom and Mary Ann (Dixie) Groom. She was not yet of school age when her parents and their family, that eventually was to include six children, set forth in a covered wagon and joined the westward flow of the thousands seeking homes in the "new country" lying to the west. As they did so the Civil War was just entering its second year. They left the wagon train as it crossed Indiana, and here in Jasper County the parents decided to settle and here she was destined to spend the balance of her lifetime. In the one-room log school-houses of that day and at home reading circles by night she gleamed education the hard way. An avid reader ever seeking new knowledge she expanded her education much beyond that of the average child of her day. This early-formed reading habit made up for the lack of school facilites of that early period, and was one that remained with her until the deepest years of her life.
It was on Feb. 4, 1883, that she married to Eli W. Critser, a farmer of this community. Their home was a farm in Milroy twp. Retiring from farm life the family came here to make residence, and she since had lived here. Mr. Critser passed away June 24, 1914.
Mr. and Mrs. Critser became parents of ten children, seven of whom survived her. The latter are Mrs. Daisy Lohr, Mrs. Leota Gates, John Critser, Russell Critser, Mrs. Martha Hurley, James Critser, Vern Critser, and Joseph M. Critser, all of this city. Besides her husband, a daughter and a son, Mrs. Critser was preceded in death by three brothers and two sister.
For many years Mrs. Critser was active in the Methodist church with which she united at an early age. She was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary in which she was deeply interested even after having reached extreme advanced age. During her early membership in the organization she took an active part in its work.
Few enjoy the depth of sincere appreciation that was extended this lovely lady whose privilege it was to spend almost a century in the same community. And it was in every respect an appreciation that was deeply deserved. Her interesting personality combined with the beauty of her character indeed gave to Rensselaer one who was outstanding. Her rich background, as throwback to the picturesqueness of pioneer days was a heritage that set her in sharp relief as one of the very few who remained to span a century. A kind, considerate lady, her wealth was her family and friends and memories of many generation as the part she had played in the development of a new county. She will always be fondly remembered by many whose privilege it was to enjoy her friendship and to realize her worth.
Funeral Wednesday
The funeral service will be held from Jackson Funeral Chapel at 3 o'clock Wednesday afternoon with the Rev. Earl Moore, former pastor of the local Methodist church officating. Interment will be at Crockett cemetery. Friends may call at the Chapel after 6 o'clock this evening.

Critser family bible owned by Alana Knochel Bauman
Births
Eli and Elizabeth Critser
Daisy Dean Critser born Oct 21, 1873
Mary Anne Critser b. Nov 21, 1885
Dora Leota Critser b. March 9 1887
John William Critser b. Aug 3, 1889
Albert Franklin Critser b. Feb 27, 1892
Eli Russell Critser b. April 7, 1885
Martha Jane Critser b. Feb 23 1897
James Walter Critser b. Jan 11 1899
Henry Vernen Critser b. Apr 28, 1901
Joseph Merl Critser b. July 20. 1907
Franklin -eth Jan 13 1895
father Cr June 24, 1914

all information & links by Alana Knochel Bauman

more children
Daisy Dean Critser Lohr
Mary Ann Critser Shelhart
Dora Leota Critser Gates
Martha Jane Critser Hurley
Joseph Merl Criter