Farmer, landowner, and businessman Junius G. Groves was one of the wealthiest Black Americans of the early 20th century. Born a slave in Green County, Kentucky, Groves was later liberated and joined other freedmen in the “Great Exodus” to Kansas in 1879, eventually finding work as a farmhand. Impressed with his strong work ethic and production, Groves’ employer offered him nine acres of land to farm on shares.
By 1884, he and his wife Matilda had saved enough to purchase 80 acres of land near Edwardsville, Kansas. So successful was their venture that, just four years later, they had acquired a total of 2,000 acres and replaced their one-room shanty with a 22-room mansion.
Groves made a name for himself as a potato grower, producing as many as 721,500 bushels in one year – far and away more than any other farmer – and earning the title of “Potato King of the World.” He also operated a general store, maintained several orchards, and had investments in various mining and banking interests. Groves worked the farm until his death in 1925. He attributed his success to the endless hard work and devotion of his wife and 12 children.
Thanks for posting this. It’s good to have a variety of people’s stories on here.
All three of his houses burnt down. The 22-room mansion burned down last in 1968, damn shame but at least there is a colored picture.
Always awesome to hear someone succeed when all the odds were stacked against them.
Long love the Potato King of the World!
I wonder what ever happened to all that land? Surely he has descendants that are still around
Farmer, landowner, and businessman Junius G. Groves was one of the wealthiest Black Americans of the early 20th century. Born a slave in Green County, Kentucky, Groves was later liberated and joined other freedmen in the “Great Exodus” to Kansas in 1879, eventually finding work as a farmhand. Impressed with his strong work ethic and production, Groves’ employer offered him nine acres of land to farm on shares.
By 1884, he and his wife Matilda had saved enough to purchase 80 acres of land near Edwardsville, Kansas. So successful was their venture that, just four years later, they had acquired a total of 2,000 acres and replaced their one-room shanty with a 22-room mansion.
Groves made a name for himself as a potato grower, producing as many as 721,500 bushels in one year – far and away more than any other farmer – and earning the title of “Potato King of the World.” He also operated a general store, maintained several orchards, and had investments in various mining and banking interests. Groves worked the farm until his death in 1925. He attributed his success to the endless hard work and devotion of his wife and 12 children.
Hmmm, Lou Gossett’s grandpa?
Became the The potato king of the world, this story should be a least a book, from slaves to millionaire more than inspirational! Honorable, it shows grit, courage, undeniable courage.
Appreciate a post like this. Informative and interesting! Thanks for the info op.
First wealthiest? How does that make any sense
First wealthiest?
The family should look at a book deal!! It’s part of the American history book!!
Looks like a repost. I’ve seen this image 1 time.
First Seen [Here](https://redd.it/1ea6qxe) on 2024-07-23 95.31% match.
[View Search On repostsleuth.com](https://www.repostsleuth.com/search?postId=1fnru20&sameSub=false&filterOnlyOlder=true&memeFilter=false&filterDeadMatches=false&targetImageMatch=92&targetImageMemeMatch=97)
—
**Scope:** Reddit | **Target Percent:** 92% | **Max Age:** None | **Searched Images:** 624,420,968 | **Search Time:** 0.04486s
Obviously he grew some large spuds, since his income wasn’t small potatoes.
They need to make a movie about this
I feel like the first wealthiest black family in the US would be the actual first black family in the US. These could be the second, first ?rated? wealthiest…
Another story you aren’t told during Black history month.
“Best we can do is a 40 second snippet from MLK’s 17 minute Dream speech.”
>hard work and devotion of his wife and 12 children
yeah, free labor, LOL
Baby Yoda was here.
That’s actually Chris Paul’s twin brother Cliff Paul.
Thank you! This is fantastic. I’m very happy for him and his family. Does anyone know if his family still owns the farmland?
Looks like James Earl Jones‘s mother.
Guess they built those chairs looking antique from the shop. Got a chair like that and it looks to be in similar condition.
And he use slavers too?
You mean without reparations? Hmmm
So hard work, wisdom, morality, confidence.
Had this been about Henry Ford, the Kennedy’s or any other white folks this would have gotten more interest.
But a black man that actually WORKS to make a living and becomes extremely successful? Naw not interesting.
Couldn’t afford a new hat?
We are all eating his potatoes! Hopefully you are not choking 🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂
Stop colorizing things that don’t need to be colorized.