GRIMM, George W.

GRIMM, LAUDERMELCH, RAYMER, CALLANAN, HARTHAN, BILLINGS, BIGELO, LEONARD, ADLER

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 2/4/2014 at 12:00:56

HISTORY of CERRO GORDO COUNTY, IOWA
WHEELER, J.H. Vol. II. Pp. 739-40. Lewis Pub. Co. Chicago. 1910

BIOGRAPHY ~ GEORGE W. GRIMM

George W. Grimm, an extensive land owner in Cerro Gordo county, residing in Clear Lake, where he follows the vocation of an auctioneer, was born in Dekalb county, Illinois, September 25, 1858, the son of Henry and Abbie (Laudermelch) Grimm, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. The father was born in 1832 and died at Hinckly, Illinois, February 19, 1900. The mother's demise occurred November 1, 1909, at the age of seventy-six years. They were the parents of eight children, six of whom are living, as follows: Charles M., of Mason township; George W.; Aaron N., residing in Clear Lake township; Alice, the wife of G. A. Raymer, of Paw Paw, Illinois; Elmer S., of Big Rock, Illinois; and Eugene of Clear Lake, Iowa. The father grew to manhood in his native state, married there and in 1856 moved to Illinois. After looking about him he located in Dekalb county and purchased eighty acres of land. By the use of intelligent methods in his farming he prospered and at the time of his death was the owner of a large tract of land.

George W. Grimm was reared on his father's farm, and enjoyed the wholesome advantages of life in the country. He attended the district school in the winter months and in the summer received a very practical training in agriculture. In 1878, when twenty years of age, he left home to make his own fortunes in the world and coming to Cerro Gordo county, secured employment as a farm hand. He continued at this until 1882, when he took his savings and purchased eighty acres of partly improved land in section 14, Union township. He further improved these and added to them from time to time until when he retired to Clear Lake in the fall of 1903 he had accumulated one thousand and forty acres, this consisting of three farms with three sets of buildings and a tract of land in South Dakota. Since coming to Clear Lake he has devoted his time to auctioneering and is a success in this line. He has made a specialty of Hereford cattle-raising and feeds about two car loads of cattle a year.

Mr. Grimm gives allegiance to the Republican party and takes an active interest in public affairs. He has served as township assessor two years and as trustee for six years. He is a member of the Clear Lake Independent Order of Odd Fellows and his wife attends the Methodist Episcopal church. His success in life has been principally due to his own efforts, for he came to Cerro Gordo county with nothing and has made of life a success.

Mr. Grimm was united in marriage, in December, 1SS3, to Miss Henrietta Callanan, born in 1865. Five children were born to this union: Milton, living in South Dakota; Irving, of New York city; Floyd, of Union township; Hazel, wife of Henry Harthan of Lake township; and Gladys, who is at home. His second wife was Miss Anna Billings, born at Shabbona, Illinois, September 25, 1865. Her parents were John and Martha (Bigelow) Billings, the former born in Michigan May 3, 1837, and at present a resident of Clear Lake township; the latter, born in Michigan in 1842 and dying September 5, 1893. They located in Illinois at an early date and in 1882 moved to Cerro Gordo county and took up their residence in Union township. Mr. Grimm's second marriage took place December 24, 1900, and has been blessed by the birth of one child, Edna P., who is at home. Mrs. Grimm was married the first time October 1, 1882, to William Leonard, by whom she had two children, Dora, wife of Charles Adler of Union township, and Daisy, who resides at the Grimm home. Both Mr. and Mrs. Grimm were legally separated from their former wife and husband.

NOTE: George W. Grimm died on May 28, 1935. Anna (Billings) Grimm died on June 2, 1913. They were interred at Clear Lake Cemetery, Clear Lake IA.

Transcription and note by Sharon R. Becker, February of 2014