Edmund was born in Clapham in 1823, son of Thomas and Mary (nee Blades) Grove.
In 1851, the family were living in Clapham, London. Father Thomas, then 77, was a retired Fishmonger, born in Penn, Bucks. Mother Mary, 67, was born in Middlesex. Their eldest son, Thomas, was a Master Fishmonger, at 39. There were four unmarried daughters, living at home, then Edmund, a Civil Engineer at 28. There were also a Cook and a Housemaid.
According to Grace's Guide to Industrial History: Mr. Grove was elected an Associate of The Institution of Civil Engineers on the 3rd December, 1850, and was subsequently placed in the class of Associate Members. His name had thus been borne on the Roll over 60 years. In the early days of railway development, he was engaged on the survey and construction of a number of lines, especially in the eastern counties.
Edmund, then living in Middlesborough, married Martha Jane in 1858 in Rugby. Martha was the daughter of John Shaw Sale, Gentleman, of Rugby, and Marianne.
By 1861, they were living in Southfield Villa, in Middlesborough, with a Cook and a Domestic Servant. Edmund was described as a Member of the Cochrane Co., Ironfounder. Cochrane and Co were of North Ormesby Ironworks, Cargo Fleet, Middlesbrough and Woodside Works, Dudley, and supplied most of the ironwork for the 1851 Great Exhibition building. By 1866 it was Cochrane, Grove and Co.. Edmund left the Company in 1871, but he continued as a Partner, in Middlesborough. By 1875 the Partnership was dissolved.
In 1871 Edmund and Martha were living in Glenside Villa, Saltburn, with two Domestic Servants. They were still in Saltburn in 1881, with Martha's sister Mary, plus a Cook, a Housemaid and a Parlour Maid.
Saltburn's Victorian pier was the first iron pier to be built on the North East Coast, is the most northerly surviving British Pier and the only remaining pleasure pier on the North East coast. Built in an exposed position and facing due north into the cruel and unforgiving North Sea, the history of Saltburn Pier tells a tale of survival against the elements. The pier was commissioned by the Saltburn Pier Company in 1867, designed by Mr John Anderson and completed two years later, opening in May 1869. Edmund Grove was part of the Saltburn Pier Company. Ironwork was supplied by Cochrane, Grove and Co.
Saltburn Pier
The Cargo boat, the Sixty-Six, described as a Steam Screw, launched in 1871, was owned by Cochrane, Grove and Co,.By 1897 Edmund Grove was the sole owner. The ship was sunk by a German submarine off Scarborough in 1918.
In Kelly's 1888 Directory of Worthing, Edmund Grove, Esq. was listed at Seabank, Manor Road next door to the former Heene Rectory, so a neighbour of the Rev Beckles. He was there until 1891, but must have moved away after that. Martha died in 1888, not long after they moved to Heene.
By 1891, Edmund was living in Harrington Road, Preston, Brighton, with his sister-in-law, Mary Ann, nephew Walter, and 3 Servants. Edmund was described as a Retired Ironfounder. He was there until his death.