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Submitted: 4/18/12 • Approved: 4/18/12 • Last Updated: 8/14/15 • R157517-G0-S3
Dr. M.M. Grove Called by Death
Well Known and Popular Physician and Surgeon of Dell Rapids Dies at Home After Short Illness, Following Long Period of Failing Health.
Dr. M. M. Grove, the well known and popular physician and surgeon of Dell Rapids and head of the Dell Rapids hospital, passed way at his home Wednesday evening at about nine o'clock, of heart failure, following a few days illness. He had been in steadily failing health for more than a year, but was not confined to his bed until Saturday. While he was only partially conscious for several days before his death, it was hoped that he would rally therefrom, but heart trouble developed and he passed away quite suddenly, and his death came as a great shock to his wife and family and the entire community.
Martin Melvin Grove was nearly 49 years of age. He was born at Plainview, Minn., Sept. 18, 1879, a son of Martin A. and Mary Christopherson Grove, pioneer settlers of Plainview. Following his gradation from high school, Dr. Grove attended the University of Minnesota and later entered the medical university of Illinois at Chicago, from which he graduated in 1905. On January 1, 1906, he was married to Miss Grace Fisk, of Plainview, and soon after came with his wife to dell Rapids and began his practice here.
Dr. Grove quickly developed an extensive practice, gaining a wide reputation as an able diagnostician and skillful surgeon. After becoming well established here he established a private hospital on the second floor of the Granite City Bank building; where he and Dr. J.B. Eagan, who joined him in 1910, carried on a very successful general hospital practice until 1915. In the spring of 1914, in appreciation of the successful work done by Dr. Grove and his associate and the fact that a larger and better hospital building was needed, a movement was started for the building of a new hospital building. A company was organized for the purpose, with more than two hundred stockholders under the name of the Dell Rapids Hospital Company, and during the summer and fall of 1914 the Dell Rapids hospital was erected and completed. Dr. Grove and his associate moved into the new building in February, 1915, and with the doctor's brother, Dr. A.F. Grove, who joined them at that time; have since operated the hospital under the firm name of Grove, Eagan & Grove. With the acquisition of the new building, equipment with all modern facilities, the business of Dr. Grove and his associates largely increased, many patients coming to the hospital from distant points.
Not only did Dr. Grove win general confidence and esteem because of his recognized skill as a physician and surgeon, but coupled therewith was his most pleasing personality helpful spirit and geniality, which made him one of the most popular figures of his time in this community and among all his host of friends and acquaintances over a wide area of country. In his death Dell Rapids and this section of South Dakota not only loses a physician and surgeon upon whom hundreds had come to lean and depend in time of sickness and trouble, but the people of Dell Rapids and vicinity cannot but feel that in his death they have lost a very dear personal friend, and general sympathy will be felt for his bereaved wife and family and associates in their greater loss.
The doctor was a member of the medical advisory board and exemption board during the world war and was also active in medical circles, being a member of the following societies: Tri-State, Southern Minnesota, South Dakota State; Sioux Valley, Sioux Falls district, of which he was formerly president. He was also a fellow of the American Medical Society and American College of Surgeons.
He also was a member of the Zeta Psi and Alpha Kappa Kappa fraternities; a 32 degree Mason and a member of the I.O.O. F., B.P. O.E and M.W. A. orders.
Notwithstanding the doctor was always busy and devoted to his extensive practice, he always took an active interest in civic and education affairs and served as a member of the city council as alderman from the third ward for six years, and was a member of the board of education for twelve years, retiring there from only a week before his death.
The deceased is survived by his wife and five sons, all of whom were born here. The sons are: Stuart, Raymond, Donald, Harold and Max. Stuart, the oldest son, has been a student at Carleton College, Northfield, Minn., the past two years, and Raymond and Donald have been students at the same college the past year, all taking the pre-medical course with a view to fitting themselves for their father's profession.
He is also survived by four brothers and one sister, Dr. Karl Grove of St. Paul; Dr. G.N. Grove, of Owatonna, Minn.; Dr. A.C. Grove, of Sykeston, N.D.; Dr. A.F. Grove of Dell Rapids, and Mrs. R.R. Fisk of Flandreau.
Definite arrangements for Dr. Grove's funeral had not been completed when this article was written, word being awaited from distant relatives, but it is expected that it will beheld tomorrow (Saturday) afternoon, with services at the home, conducted by Rev. W.A. Johnson, of the M.E. Church, of which the deceased was a member, and that interment will be made in the Dell Rapids Cemetery.
Contributed on 4/18/12 by dellsfig68
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Record #: 157517