Christmas at Cross Ridge School...

Blog Author:  Linda Groves Worden 
For a holiday event in 2012, I was asked to share a personal Christmas  tradition or memory with a group gathered for a dinner of fellowship and fun.  When asked, I hesitated only momentarily before I agreed to accept the assignment.  I knew of a memory I had been wanting to write about and this would provide the perfect time and place to share.  

With that story composed, I share it here as well.

Cross Ridge School as it looks now - not much different than it looked in the 1950's when I attended grades 1-8.

My elementary school days were all spent at a one-room country school named Cross Ridge School. 

JBG Planting Corn With a Team of Horses near Viroqua, WI...

James Burton Groves planting corn on his Grandmother's farm near Viroqua, WI

James Steven Groves, son of James, 

shares his memories sparked by this photo...   

Hello Gang, 
Thanks so much, Bob, for scanning and forwarding this picture to us.  I 
would like to add a little more commentary.  But, before I do, I want you 
to know up front that it is a Groves' Family History Lesson. This photo 
of my Dad sparked the motivation within me to give some background to the 
picture.  Frankly, I want to do it now while I am of sound mind and 
remember all of these details.  This kind of information is so easily 
lost forever if not recorded and shared.  Some of you may find this 
boring, so feel free to disregard. 
 
1.   I agree with Linda, these horses are not Sadie and Boots.  I 
definitely remember Dad (James) talking about a horse named Nig.  I also 
think he mentioned one named Sally.  This could possibly be Nig and 
Sally. I don't remember seeing them. 
 
2.  This photo was taken on the farm east of Viroqua.  Compared to other farms in 

the area, it was large, well over 200 acres.  It was owned by my 
great grandmother, Minnie B. (Cox) Groves.  Her husband's name was Isaac. 


 
View from Groves Lane