Washington Co., AR - Biographies - Major James M. Grimes *********************************************** 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 *********************************************** Major James M. Grimes, farmer and miller, is the son of William and Elizabeth (Harris) Grimes. The father was a native Virginian, was of Welsh descent, and was a soldier in the Creek War. Grandfather Grimes was a captain in the Revolutionary War, and Grandmother Grimes lived to be one hundred and ten years of age. At the age of one hundred she could walk a mile as quickly as when a girl. The mother of the subject of this sketch was born in North Carolina, was of English descent and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Grimes immigrated to Tennessee, settling in Rutherford County, and there passed the remainder of their days. Of the six children born to their union, two sons and four daughters. Maj. James M. Grimes was the youngest but one. He was born May 1, 1826, in Rutherford County, Tenn., was reared on a farm and there educated to a limited extent. After reaching manhood he began for himself, and for five years was overseer on a plantation, after which he married and began farming on his own account. Miss Balsora Patterson became his wife in 1852, and to them were born twelve children, four sons and eight daughters, of whom eight are now living. In the days of militia Mr. Grimes held the office of major, and in November, 1861, he enlisted in Company D, Forty-fifth Tennessee Infantry Volunteers, Confederate States Army. He went out with the rank of orderly sergeant, and a year later was elected second lieutenant, which position he held until the close of the war, serving four years. He was in the battles of Shiloh. Murfreesboro, Chickamauga and Jonesboro, and at the first-named battle had one of the bones in the left forearm broken by a ball. After the war Maj. Grimes followed farming in Rutherford County until 1868, when be moved to Washington County, Ark., and located in Prairie Township. In 1879 he lost his wife, and the following year he married Miss Brunetta J. Rieff, a native of Wilson County, Tenn., who bore him one child, a daughter. He and Mrs. Grimes are members of the Christian Church, as was also his first wife. He is a Democrat in politics, casting his first presidential vote for Lewis Cass, of Michigan. Maj. Grimes is the owner of 280 acres of land, 160 of which are under cultivation and well improved. In 1886 he built a saw-mill on White River, and is now adding a flour mill. All his property is the result of his own industry and good management. He is a liberal supporter of schools, churches and all other worthy enterprises. In September, 1888, he was chosen justice of the peace of Prairie Township.