Morgan County AlArchives Biographies.....Grubbs, L. Hensly 1838 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/al/alfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 January 6, 2012, 4:14 pm Source: See below Author: Smith & De Land, publishers DR. L. HENSLY GRUBBS, Editor and Proprietor of the Decatur Weekly News, and son of Thomas Washington and Lucy D. (Brown) Grubbs, was born at Pulaski, Tenn., September 28, 1838. His early boyhood was spent on a farm. At the age of twelve years he procured employment in a dry goods store in his native town, and continued as a salesman several years. He spent two years in La Grange College, and went to Leighton, Ala., in 1852, where he was again employed in a dry goods store, railroad office and assistant postmaster. In April, 18556, he was licensed to preach in the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and continued in the pastoral work of the itinerant ministry fourteen years. In 1872 he located in Decatur, Ala., and engaged in the drug business, in which he continued until 1886. In 1873 he established the Decatur Weekly News, which was the only paper published in the city until 1885. The News has a large and rapidly increasing circulation, and has been a potent factor in controlling local politics and county, judicial and congressional elections. The News has been foremost in promoting the development and progress which has so signally characterized the city of Decatur during the last twelve months. Dr. Grubbs was appointed postmaster at Decatur March 27, 1885, it being the first appointment of a Southern man made by President Cleveland except his cabinet officers. The following year he was chosen president of the first national convention of postmasters held in the city of Chicago. As a citizen and business man he is prominent, and has exerted his influence for the advancement and upbuilding of every interest in the community where he resides. He owns stock in the Decatur Land, Improvement and Furnace Company and the Morgan County Building and Loan Association. As a newspaper writer he is strong, forcible and incisive, and expresses his convictions with a clearness that is easily understood. Mr. Grubbs was united in marriage with Miss Mary J. Perry, second youngest daughter of Rev. Francis A. and Rhoda (Thompson) Perry, at Cornersville, Tenn., March 20, 1860. To this union seven children have been born, six daughters and one son. Four of them are now living, namely: Minnie Lou Hense, now Mrs.B. H. Lambert of New York City; Walter Marvin, Lelia Virginia and Nona Aline. Mr. and Mrs. Grubbs and their children are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Order of Knights of Pythias, Knights of Honor, and Ancient Order of United Workmen, and is prominently connected as a State officer with each of these secret societies. Our subject's father, Thomas W. Grubbs, was born in Brunswick County, Va., about 1792. His wife was a native of the same county, and just thirty days younger than her husband. In early married life they moved to Giles County, Tenn., where they lived on a farm and where their dust now repose. He filled various offices of trust, such as sheriff, collector and census taker, and in 1840, it is said, was personally acquainted with every householder in Giles County. He was a son of Ezekiel Grubbs of Revolutionary fame. Additional Comments: Extracted from: Northern Alabama: Historical and Biographical Birmingham, Ala.: Smith and De Land 1888 PART IV. MONOGRAPHS OF THE PRINCIPAL CITIES AND TOWNS IN NORTHERN AND CENTRAL ALABAMA, TOGETHER WITH BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF MANY OF THEIR REPRESENTATIVE PEOPLE. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/al/morgan/bios/grubbs988gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/alfiles/ File size: 4.0 Kb