GRIMES, Charles H. - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

Charles H. Grimes, believed to be Tippecanoe County’s only centenarian and one of the few men of 100 years in the state of Indiana died Saturday morning Oct 16 at the home of his son, HC Grimes, Lafayette RR C, his demise resulting from infirmities of age.  Mr. Grimes had been bedfast for the past six weeks and unconscious for the past several days, although previous to that time he enjoyed fairly good health and was very keen mentally.  Mr. Grimes, enrolled his name among the list of registered voters last September, filling out the registration blank at his home and mailing it to the county auditor’s office and it was his earnest wish that he would live until after election day, Nov 2 and cast his vote at his 20th presidential election.  Mr. Grimes was a lifelong democrat and his first ballot was cast for James K. Polk.  Mr. Grimes was born in Lexington NC June 19, 1820 and he came to Indiana with his parents 15 years later, travlling in an old covered wagon and being on the road 7 weeks and 3 days. The family first settled in Jackson Township, Fountain county near the little town of Wallace, where Mr. Grimes entered upon his active career.  A short time after he became postmaster at Wallace, which position had been held by him and one of his descendants for 53 years and at present is held by one of his grandsons. Mr. Grimes joined the Masons at Covington in 1850 and he was believed to be one of the oldest Masons in Indiana. The term “pioneer” can be no better bestowed than on this venerable gentleman, just deceased. He enjoyed relating remarkable evens and condition of early Indiana when there were no railroads and little land cleared, when the big cities of today were rambling villages and the country was the natural hunting ground of wild game, such as deer and wild turkeys.  Indian villages were not infrequent in those days and Mr. Grimes could tell some interesting stories of redskin customs.  Mr. Grimes came to Lafayette the first time in 1836 when it was a rambling village of but a few houses and he witnessed the building of the Erie Canal and also served as one of the appraisers for the right of way of the Wabash railroad.  In his long career Mr. Grimes met and associated with many prominent men and he was extremely fond of telling how Dan Vorhees and his father remained overnight with the Grimes family while young Vorhees was on his way to college.  Mr. Grimes also was intimately acquainted with Gen. Lew Wallace, Henry Lane, John Purdue, Moses Fowler, John Heath, John B. Ruger and many other prominent men of that time, now dead.  He was very eager to recall a conversation he once had with one of General Morgan’s sharpshooters in which the latter described how the Yankees whipped the British at Guilford courthouse. This old soldier, Mr. Grimes stated had three bullets in his breast which he would not have removed as he wanted substantial proof that he actually took part in this battle.  Mr. Grimes was twice married and he left 92 descendants, namely 5 children 26 grandchildren, 51 great grandchildren and 10 great great grandchildren.  His first wife as Mary Bruner of Tennessee whom he married about ¾ of a century ago. She died in 1867, four children surviving by this marriage.  They are: Mrs. Esther A. Livengude (Livengood), Hillsboro, Ind; HC Grimes, Lafayette RR C; Charles A, Kingman and Mrs. Mary Clawson, this city.  In 1869, Mr. Grimes married Mary Ann Lairy mother of Dr. MM Lairy of this city and one son by this marriage survives.  He is Rev. JE Grimes, Limestone, Fla district superintendent of the United Brethren Church.  The second Mrs. Grimes died in 1897.  He also leaves one brother, George Grimes of Chicago who is 94 years old. Mrs. Harry E. Hershey of this city is a granddaughter.  Mr. Grimes was fond of having the members of his family about him and his birthdays were made the occasions of joyous reunions. On June 19, 1919 such a reunion was held on the occasion of his 99th birthday, his aged brother from Chicago being a guest of honor. On last June, his 100th birthday he first became to feel the effects of old age and a few days before he was confined to his bed. A short time later he was taken critically ill and it was feared for a time that he would not survive. Mr. Grimes of Chicago again visited his brother last summer and the two old men had a great time reminiscing of their boyhood days.  It was announced by the family that the funeral would be held Sunday afternoon, Oct 17 at 3 o’clock Rev LL Shaffer of the United Brethren Church of which the deceased was a lifelong member officiating; burial in the Isaly cemetery. ?