For the past 30 years, the Kansas Business Hall of Fame has recognized business leaders from the past and present for their contributions to Kansas.
Each year, the organization chooses a contemporary and historical business leader to honor with a plaque installed in Cremer Hall at Emporia State University.
This year, the Kansas Business Hall of Fame honored Junius G. Groves, also known as the “Potato King,” who earned his nickname in the early 1900s after becoming the largest grower of Irish potatoes in the world.
“We are pleased to recognize this individual who achieved extraordinary success in the face of horrific obstacles,” said James Leiker, chairman of the Kansas Business Hall of Fame board of directors.
Groves was born enslaved in Kentucky in 1859, then made his way to Kansas at age 19 as an Exoduster. He and his wife saved their resources, moved to Edwardsville in Western Wyandotte County, where he rented farmland and specialized in growing potatoes.
By 1913, Groves owned over 500 acres of rich farmland, producing 55,000 bushels of potatoes a year. Groves also owned a general store, stock in mines and banks, and even a casket and embalming company. With an estimated wealth of $1 million, at the time, Groves was the richest Black man in Kansas.
“Junius Groves started out as an enslaved person. That means he had zero income – none. After emancipation, they didn’t get checks. They had to go out and make their way, and that’s what (Groves) did for him and his family,” said Dr. Carmaletta Williams, executive director at the Black Archives of Mid-America, at the Kansas Business Hall of Fame induction ceremony held in late July. “It takes courage, strength and commitment to do that.”
The story of Groves is featured in the permanent exhibit at the Black Archives of Mid-America.
Groves had a 20-room mansion, with electricity, hot and cold running water and telephones, all considered rarities at the time. However, he was most known for using his resources to help the local Black community.
At a time when sports venues were segregated, Groves built a golf course for African Americans that was possibly the first such course in the nation. To encourage African-American entrepreneurship, he also sold small parts of his property for them to make their way into the potato industry.
Groves was a founding member of the Kansas State Negro Business League and of the Pleasant Hill Baptist Church. Groves died in 1925 at 66 years old.
“One of the things that we focus on here at the Black Archives is that we have to remember people like Junius’ legacies. We have to promote it to the people, so they see it and share it,” Williams said.
Groves’ great, great niece, Nina Kimbrough attended the induction ceremony and said she was pleased his story is still being recognized.
The Kansas Business Hall of Fame also honored Cliff Illig as their contemporary honoree. Illig is the co-founder and head of Cerner.
Thank you for posting this story. I have lived in Kansas City, Kansas all my life and just recently as I was preparing to teach a Social Studies lesson, I discovered who Junius George Grove was. Now, I’m angry, I never knew about him (over 50 years) and wondering, Where are his descendants? Why isn’t there a school named after him in Edwardsville? What happened to his land?
I also believe more needs to be done to let people know about Mr. Groves.
I just learned about Junius G. Groves as well and as I learn every day about the amazing accomplishments of black Americans, I become more and more upset that WE have been whitewashed. from society. Where are his descendants and why are they not keeping his legacy alive? Thanks for sharing this article. Please keep them coming
The Groves family is huge and has many descendants still in the area, mainly in Kansas City Missouri. The history is not lost and the family keeps this legacy alive and even turned out in large numbers when the state of Kansas established the official Junius Groves Days in August of 2007. There are many stories of great accomplishment all across this world, so it is not a surprise that everyone hasn’t heard every single one of them. But that in no way means the Groves family is non-existent or doesn’t care. The fact that there’s a Junius Groves the 5th alone if proof of that. And anyone from Kansas City, MO should know the Groves name for other reasons as well (entrepreneurs, senators, leaders, community center/park/pool/street). There’s even a Potato King children book that’s been sold on Amazon for nearly 10 years.
By the way, for those showing concern about the, legacy, and land, join the family in the fight against the city of Edwardsville, Kansas who has been blocking the claim to the land since at least the 1980s as the city claims they are not sure of actual property lines. As of recent Edwardsville City Council dockets, they continuously postpone the great-grand-niece who has personally searched the land (including wooded areas and nearby highways) for artifacts and headstones along with well-documented history from presenting during meetings — they k now she will fight and can show what land belonged to the family….they are just running out of excuses. One other thing this article does not touch on is how Junius Groves and his wife and children built the house, but it was burned down. And they built another one, that also “mysteriously” burned down. This happened a third time after his death. Just think about the times we’re talking about in America. Maybe the movie Rosewood will give you a hint, or Tulsa’s Black Wall Street. Do you still think it’s hard to figure out what happened to the land? But please, if this is really something you are passionate about like the comments show, help make some noise and bring this to justice.