WILLIAM S. GRIMES. When young men of culture, intellect and education deliberately choose a peaceful rural life in preference to the glittering show and ceaseless din of a metropolis, it augurs well for progressive agriculture. No profession is more free from petty annoyances or more conducive to mental and moral as well as physical growth, than is that of an intelligent farmer. The youth of to-day realize this fact as never before, and the illiterate farmer from the rural districts will soon be a legend of the past, for his place is even now filled with men who are equally able to take their places in college halls or harvest fields, and among whom is the family of William S. Grimes. William S. Grimes is a grandson of Isaac Grimes, who was born in Washington county, Penn., and followed the blacksmith's trade in early life. When a young man he was married to Sarah Pool, a native of this county, and they were the parents of four children, viz.: William (deceased), Joshua N., Mary (deceased), and one that died in infancy. Both parents died on the old place in 1871.
William Grimes, father of subject, was born June 19, 1823, in East Pike Run township, Washington Co., Penn. He learned and followed the blacksmith's trade when a young man, and in 1851 was married to Margaret A. Springer, who was born in 1831, in East Pike Run township, this county. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Grimes located on the home place, where he followed farming and stock raising. He took an active interest in the Republican party, and served in local offices; in religious faith he and his wife were members of the Presbyterian Church at Coal Centre, Penn., of which he was an elder about thirty years. Their children were as follows: William S.; Leroy C., a farmer of Stark county, Ohio; Anna L., wife of C. Miller, a physician of Fayette county, Penn., and Mary B., deceased wife of Townsend Theakston. The father died November 22, 1880, the mother having "gone before" in February, 1877.
William S. Grimes was born October 11, 1852, on the home farm in East Pike Run township, this county. His elementary education was secured at the district schools, and he then attended the Southwestern State Normal School, at California, several terms. After completing his studies he taught for some time, and finally settling on the homestead, has since devoted his attention to agriculture. On March 25, 1874, he was united in marriage with Lizzie Dorsey, who was born September 1, 1855, in East Pike Run township, this county, a daughter of George and Martha (Phillips) Dorsey, also natives of this county, who were the parents of nine children, of whom three are now living: Cassius A., Charles I. and Lizzie. Mr. and Mrs. Grimes are living on the old homestead, consisting of 114 acres of well-cultivated land, upon which he carries on practical farming with signal success. Good buildings have been erected on the place, and the stone part of the house was built over one hundred years ago. He votes with the Republican party, and in religion he and his wife are members of the Taylor M. E. Church, of which he is a trustee. The names and dates of birth of the children of Mr. and Mrs. Grimes are as follows: Nora E., August 8, 1875; Elva L., October 23, 1876; Margaret A., April 22, 1878; George D., August 15, 1880; William C., July 20, 1884; Mattie R., March 24, 1886, and Mansell F., December 14, 1891. Mr. Grimes is the present auditor of West Pike Run.
Text taken from page 1230 of:
Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893).Transcribed February 1997 by Neil and Marilyn Morton of Oswego, IL as part of the Beers Project.
Published February 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.[ [Back to Beers Table of Contents] [Back to Beers Project Page]