JOHN B. GRIMSLEY

From the 1887 History of Vernon County, Missouri, p. 867:

John B. Grimsley

(Farmer and Blacksmith, Section 4, Post-office, Montevallo)

   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 101^st 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.

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