Born in Utica, N. Y. May 1st, 1843. He came to Jackson county first in 1863, remaining only a short time, when he again returned in 1866, settling in Van Buren township, and since that time has been a constant resident of the county. In 1857 he married Miss Jane Means, whose parents were residents of the same township. Mr. DeGroat was a man widely known and highly esteemed. He was a man of excellent traits of character, good business qualifications and superior judgment. He had been honored in public life by the election as the representative of the county to the state legislature in1869. In 1881 he was elected sheriff, and was re-elected to the same office, his term expiring in January, 1880. After his first election to the latter office he moved his family to Maquoketa, but subsequently removed to Preston, where only, a short time previous to his death he erected a handsome residence.