Izard Co., AR - Biographies - W. Grimmett *********************************************** This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: The Goodspeed Publishing Co Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgenwebarchives.org *********************************************** W. Grimmett, ex-county judge and farmer, Newburg, Ark. A plain untarnished statement of the facts embraced in the life of W. Grimmett, a man well known to the people of Izard County, is all that we profess to be able to give in this history of the county; and yet, upon examination of those facts, there will be found the career of one whose entire course through the world has been marked with great honesty and fidelity of purpose, as well as sincere and effective service to those whom he has been called upon to represent in different capacities. Mr. Grimmett was born in the Blue Grass State in 1840, and his parents, Andrew and Mary (Wilson) Grimmett, were natives of Virginia and Kentucky, respectively. Andrew Grimmett came to Kentucky at an early day, worked as a farm hand, and was here married to Miss Wilson. He moved to Arkansas in 1855, settled first in Fulton County, and one year later moved to this county, where he remained for five years. He subsequently located in Van Buren County, resided there four years, and then returned to this county, where his death occurred in 1878, at about the age of sixty-six years. Mrs. Grimmett died in 1887, at the age of seventy-two years. They were the parents of these children: Harvey Watson (the subject of this sketch), Samuel (deceased), Wilson (deceased), Mrs. Elizabeth Reynolds, W. T., Mrs. Minerva Billingsley. Mrs. Grimmett was a member of the Baptist Church. At the age of eighteen years W. Grimmett commenced life for himself by farming, and in 1858 was united in marriage to Miss Sarah A. Hammond. He has followed agricultural pursuits ever since, with the exception of three years, when he was engaged in merchandising at Newburg (1876-78), but he soon closed out his business and returned to the farm. He has held the office of justice of the peace for two terms, four years in all, two terms county and probate judge, and has since resided on and attended to his farm. In 1862 he joined the Confederate army, company C, Shaler's regiment, under Capt. Gibson, and served until the close of hostilities, when he surrendered at Jacksonport on the 5th of June, 1865. He was engaged in some severe skirmishes, notably Augusta and at Village Creek. After the war he came home, and went immediately to farming. Although starting with limited means the Judge has been quite successful, and is now the owner of 190 acres of land, with 100 acres under cultivation. To his marriage were born the following children: Amanda M., wife of J. O. Hammond; Caldona, wife of R. F. Lacy; Charles M., Averilla, C. E., at home; George A., Amos J. and Joseph Roscoe. Judge Grimmett is a man who favors all public improvements, and is a great friend to education. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. lodge, and in politics casts his vote with the Democrat party. Mrs. Grimmett is a member of the Baptist Church.