John Charles Groome (Pennsylvania)
Encyclopedia
John Charles Groome was the first commissioner
of the Pennsylvania State Police
from 1905 to 1917. He was the former warden of the Eastern State Penitentiary
and a Colonel in World War I.
in 1882. On April 15, 1884, he married Agnes Price Roberts (1868–1937), and had three children.
In the First Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry
he was promoted to Corporal
in 1887, then Sergeant
in 1889. He was promoted to Captain in 1896. He was active in the Homestead Strike
in 1892 and the Coal Strike of 1902
in 1902. In 1905 he became the first commissioner
of the Pennsylvania State Police
. He served as a Colonel
in World War I.
He retired from the Pennsylvania State Police on February 28, 1920 and died August 31, 1930 at the age of 68.
Police commissioner
Commissioner is a senior rank used in many police forces and may be rendered Police Commissioner or Commissioner of Police. In some organizations, the commissioner is a political appointee, and may or may not actually be a professional police officer. In these circumstances, there is often a...
of the Pennsylvania State Police
Pennsylvania State Police
The Pennsylvania State Police is the state police force of Pennsylvania, responsible for statewide law enforcement. It was founded in 1905 by order of Governor Samuel Pennypacker, in response to the private police forces used by mine and mill owners to stop worker strikes and the inability or...
from 1905 to 1917. He was the former warden of the Eastern State Penitentiary
Eastern State Penitentiary
The Eastern State Penitentiary is a former American prison in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is located on 2027 Fairmount Avenue between Corinthian Avenue and North 22nd Street in the Fairmount section of Philadelphia and was operational from 1829 until 1971...
and a Colonel in World War I.
Biography
He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on March 20, 1862, one of six children, of Samuel William Groome and Nancy Andrew Connelly. He was privately tutored and graduated from the Protestant Episcopal Academy in 1878. He became a member of the First Troop Philadelphia City CavalryFirst Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry
thumb|right|300px|Captain [[Joseph Lapsley Wilson]] of the First City Troop circa 1894The First Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry, also known as the First City Troop, is a unit of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard.-History:...
in 1882. On April 15, 1884, he married Agnes Price Roberts (1868–1937), and had three children.
In the First Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry
First Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry
thumb|right|300px|Captain [[Joseph Lapsley Wilson]] of the First City Troop circa 1894The First Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry, also known as the First City Troop, is a unit of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard.-History:...
he was promoted to Corporal
Corporal
Corporal is a rank in use in some form by most militaries and by some police forces or other uniformed organizations. It is usually equivalent to NATO Rank Code OR-4....
in 1887, then Sergeant
Sergeant
Sergeant is a rank used in some form by most militaries, police forces, and other uniformed organizations around the world. Its origins are the Latin serviens, "one who serves", through the French term Sergent....
in 1889. He was promoted to Captain in 1896. He was active in the Homestead Strike
Homestead Strike
The Homestead Strike was an industrial lockout and strike which began on June 30, 1892, culminating in a battle between strikers and private security agents on July 6, 1892. It was one of the most serious disputes in U.S. labor history...
in 1892 and the Coal Strike of 1902
Coal Strike of 1902
The Coal Strike of 1902 was a strike by the United Mine Workers of America in the anthracite coal fields of eastern Pennsylvania. Miners were on strike asking for higher wages, shorter workdays, and the recognition of their union...
in 1902. In 1905 he became the first commissioner
Police commissioner
Commissioner is a senior rank used in many police forces and may be rendered Police Commissioner or Commissioner of Police. In some organizations, the commissioner is a political appointee, and may or may not actually be a professional police officer. In these circumstances, there is often a...
of the Pennsylvania State Police
Pennsylvania State Police
The Pennsylvania State Police is the state police force of Pennsylvania, responsible for statewide law enforcement. It was founded in 1905 by order of Governor Samuel Pennypacker, in response to the private police forces used by mine and mill owners to stop worker strikes and the inability or...
. He served as a Colonel
Colonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
in World War I.
He retired from the Pennsylvania State Police on February 28, 1920 and died August 31, 1930 at the age of 68.