1914 Delaware County History pgs. 488-491
Franklin A. Grimes
Franklin A.
Grimes is a capitalist of Colesburg, now living retired.
He was in former years closely connected with its industrial and manufacturing
interests and his efforts contributed in no small degree to the material upbuilding of the city as well as to the advancement of his
individual success. He was born December 2, 1850, at Otisville, near Elkport, Clayton county, Iowa, a son of Joseph and Melissa A.
Grimes. The family is of Irish descent and has been represented on the American
continent through four generations. The mother of Franklin A. Grimes belonged
to the Phelps family, of Owego, New York, the first ancestor having come
from France about the year 1790. Mr. and Mrs.
Joseph Grimes left the Empire state in 1844 and became residents of Clayton
county, Iowa, the former conducting a milling and lumber business at
what was afterward known as Otisville. He was not only a prominent factor in
industrial circles but also did much to shape the history and mold the policy
of the county in regard to public affairs. He was called upon to represent his district
in the house of representatives in 1858 and 1859 and
in 1868 was elected to the position of state senator for a term of four years,
so that he left the impress of his individuality upon the history of the
commonwealth.
Franklin A.
Grimes supplemented his early education by study in the Lenox Collegiate
Institute at Hopkinton, Iowa, and then became connected with the Union Pacific
Railroad, which he represented in the transfer department for two years. On the
expiration of that period he took up the profession of teaching, which he followed
for two years, and later engaged in the pottery business in Colesburg
as manager and part owner for fourteen years. On severing his connection with
that enterprise he embarked in the flour-milling business at Colesburg, in which he continued for six years, and during
that time he also engaged in the stave and heading business in company with Byran Baker, continuing the operation of that industry
until the raw material was consumed. It was while he was thus actively engaged
in business that he was elected one of the county supervisors, which office he
filled for six years. On the discontinuance of his activity in connection with
the stave and heading business he organized the Delta Lumber Company of
Sunflower City, Mississippi, the partners therein being N. M. Pittman, of
Evansville, Indiana; Byron Baker, of Greeley, Iowa; and F. A. Grimes, of Colesburg. That company continued the business until their
supply of timber was exhausted. Mr. Grimes also became connected with financial
interests of Colesburg, having aided in the organization
of the Farmers Savings Bank, of which he was elected president and of which he
is now a director.
Mr. Grimes
was united in marriage at Colesburg on the
19th of March, 1873, to Miss Emma J. Rea, a daughter of G. W. and Mary P. Rea, who removed
from Ohio to Iowa in 1848. They have become the
parents of four children, Blanche E., Joseph R., F. C. and Marie R. The elder
son married Elizabeth Landis. Mr. and Mrs. Grimes are Methodists in religious
belief and are ever loyal to the teachings of that denomination.
Mr. Grimes
belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and has filled all of the
chairs in his lodge. His political indorsement is
given to the republican party. It was in 1892 that he
was elected a member of the county board of supervisors, on which he served for
six years, during which period the courthouse at Manchester was completed. His associate
members of the board at that time were Gus Merriam, of Hopkinton, Iowa, and Thomas Rose, of Masonville. At no time have his efforts been confined so
closely to business affairs that he has had no opportunity to participate in
the public life of the community. On the contrary he has ever recognized his duties
and obligations in that regard and has advanced steadily and persistently in
cooperation with others to bring about, the best interests of town and county.
In all of his business connections he has displayed keen sagacity,
indefatigable energy and laudable ambition. What he has accomplished represents
the fit utilization of his innate powers and talents, and his life record
stands as incontrovertible proof of the fact that success and an honored name
may be won simultaneously.
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