Born in Koprivshtitsa, he studied in Plovdiv Greek School. Later
he taught in the Class School of his native town of
Koprivshtitsa, succeeding his teacher, Nayden Gerov on that
position (1848-56). Since 1856, he had lived permanently in
Plovdiv, where he took on the management of the Diocese (the
Central) Class School St.St.Cyril and Methodius, widely known as
the Nayden Gerovs School. Alongside with Gerov, Yoakim Gruev is
one of the initiators for celebrating May 11th as the common Day
of Bulgarian Education. He was also the principle of the Girls
High School for some time. In the period 1868-70 he was
assistant to the plovdiv regional Manager. He actively
participated in the fights for church and national independence.
During the 1876 April Uprising, Gruev was sent to prison. After
the Liberation of Bulgaria in 1878, Yoakim Gruev was Director of
the Education Department of East Roumelia (1879-84), a votable
member-councilor of the Supreme Administrative Court, Chairman
of the Court Council and of the Commer