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The subject
of this sketch, a native of Morgan county, Ill., was born July 2, 1827,
of Southern antecedents on both his father’s and mother’s side.
Fielding Grimsley, originally from Tennessee, was a farmer and
blacksmith by occupation; when a young man he married a lady of Alabama
nativity, Miss Susan Brumet, who bore a family of eight sons and six
daughters, and of this number John B. was the third son and fourth
child. He was reared in his native county, learning from his father the
trade of blacksmith, under whose careful guidance he became well versed
in the details of that calling. Besides this he was also occupied to
some extent in farming. In 1846 he married Miss Ellen Taylor, also born
in Illinois, but she died in this county in 1868, leaving a family of
thirteen children: John M., Fielding, Alexander, Lewis, Matilda, now
Mrs. Mallory, Thomas, Susan, Mary C., James, Cyrus and Charlie. Two had
previously died. In 1867 Mr. Grimsley became located in this county,
and subsequently, in 1869, he was married again, to Miss Emily Bankson,
a native of the county. At her death in 1873 she left two children
living, Oscar and Emma, two being deceased. In 1874 Mary L. Lipe became
Mr. G.’s wife; she was also born in Vernon county. Three children have
blessed this union: Ira, Clarence and Berkie, now living, besides two
who are deceased. During the late war Mr. G. enlisted in August, 1862
in the 101st Illinois volunteer infantry, being mustered out
May 29, 1865. During his term of service he took part in the
engagements of Vicksburg, Mission Ridge, Dallas, Resaca, Peach Tree
Creek, Siege of Atlanta, and through to the sea. While near Raleigh he
was sunstruck and was then sent to New York, where he remained in
hospital until the close of the war, when he returned to Morgan county,
Ill, going thence to Macoupin county. One year later, or in 1867, he
came to this county, where his earnest, active efforts in the direction
of blacksmithing and farming have not gone unrewarded. Mr. Grimsley
owns 190 acres of land, 24 acres of which are devoted to an excellent
orchard. He is one of the township’s reliable residents and enjoys a
wide and favorable acquaintance. |
