California Biographies Mendocino and Lake Counties, California Transcribed by Peggy Hooper This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm Source: History of Mendocino and Lake Counties, California With Biographical Sketches History by Aurelius O. Carpenter And Percy H. Millberry Illustrated, Complete In One Volume Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1914 JOSHUA GRINDLE. � Long identification with the lumber business and other interests of Mendocino county have given to Mr. Grindle a wide acquaint- ance throughout this portion of the state, where for years he made a success of important milling and lumbering enterprises and where since he has made the Mendocino Bank of Commerce one of the financial forces of its com- munity. The twentieth century extension of the banking facilities on a solid basis into the smaller cities of the country finds illustration in the bank of which he is president. The building occupied for banking purposes is admir- ably adapted for its use and stands on a prominent corner on the main street of the city, near the shores of the Pacific ocean. Capitalized at $25,000, with a substantial surplus, the bank forms a vital and integral part of the town and ranks high among the business enterprises of the county, whose citizens, ap- preciating the advantages offered herein, have tendered to the institution an excellent and growing patronage. Pride of ancestry is one of Mr. Grindle's characteristics, and his own life has contributed much to a name well and favorably known in New England. He was born at Surry, Hancock county, November 3, 1844, the son of Robert and Mercy (Varnum) Grindle, natives of Brooksville, Me. At the time of the Civil war Robert Grindle was over the age at which recruits were taken into service, nevertheless he volunteered and was accepted, serving in the Eight- eenth Maine heavy artillery. This regiment was cut to pieces and he served in another regiment until the close of the war, taking part in all of the en- gagements of his command. After the war he followed farming in New England with the usual success. He was a man of strong personality and the courage of his convictions, and lived to the ripe age of ninety-four years. His widow is residing at Surry, Me., and though past ninety-three is still active and useful, retaining all of her faculties. Blessed indeed have been those per- mitted to know this remarkable woman personally. Though her life has been a busy one, it has been filled with the joy of service to others and an exem- plification of those moral attributes which with so many are mere theories and not rules of daily practice. Like many of those who were reared in Maine Mr. Grindle followed the sea throughout a considerable part of his early years. When fourteen he left school and went to sea, where he remained for a considerable period. During 1869 he came via Panama to California and ever since has made his home in Mendocino county, although his interests have not been limited to this county, but include enterprises in other localities, particularly in San Fran- cisco. In that city he owns valuable property and is also president of the Auto Service Company at No. 64 Golden Gate avenue. For thirty years he devoted his time to lumbering, being an employe of the Mendocino Lumber Company. In Mendocino occurred the marriage of Mr. Grindle. uniting him with Miss Alice E. Hills, who was born in Boston, Mass., the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. S. W. Hills, the former a pioneer rancher of Mendocino in the early "60s. Mrs. Grindle was a school teacher in Mendocino county for several years before her marriage. One son was born to Mr. and Mrs. Grindle, Aliston. Hills, who after completing the machinist's trade in the Union Iron Works enlisted and is now serving in the United States navy. The Mendocino Bank of Commerce was incorporated in September of 1905 by Joshua Grindle and Fred ^^^ Stickney, its establishment coming as a successor to Grindle & Stickney, brokers. Mr. Grindle was chosen the first president and has been the sole incumbent of the office, while John S. Ross serves as vice-president. J. N. Rea is cashier and W. B. Coombs. C. J. Wood and Fred W. Stickney directors. The report of the bank rendered August 26, 1913, showed a capital stock, paid-in, of $25,000, with $10,000 surplus, $4,000 undivided profits and $135,000 in deposits, which is an excellent showing in every respect and indicates the capability and sagacious judgment of the directors. Throughout the long period of his residence in Mendocino Mr. Grindle has been interested continuously and earnestly in the welfare of the town and has promoted its educational advancement through efficient service as school trustee. 'Sir. Grindle was made a Mason in Lygonia Lodge No. 40, F. & A. M., at Ellsworth, Me., in 1865-66. Afterwards he demitted and affiliated with Mendocino Lodge No. 179, was exalted to Royal Arch degrees in Santa Rosa Chapter No. 45, R. A. M.. April 10, 1878. and afterwards be- came a charter member of Mendocino Chapter No. 88, R. A. M. With his wife he is a charter member of Ocean View Chapter No. 111, O. E. S.