Charles Keeling GRIMES

GRIMES, BALLARD

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 5/27/2010 at 02:09:25

C. K. GRIMES settled in Section 7, Tingley township, in May of 1856. He was a native of Indiana while his parents were natives of North Carolina. He was married to Harriet BALLARD in Indiana. His first house was 14x16 and at different times eleven families made their homes with him while they located land or built their cabins. Indians often visited them as they were so near their trail from the southwest to Iowa City,where they went to draw their annuities.

The southern slave found a friend here when fleeing from slavery to Canada and freedom. At one time he had six slaves hidden in hay shocks through the day until a favorable time for them to travel on. He was the first settler in Tingley township to own sheep as the wolves were so troublesome, but with eternal vigilance he succeeded with them. Mr. GRIMES was the founder of Eugene and laid out and platted the lots in 1857. He was the father of nine children, but all died in infancy but four.

SOURCE:

LESAN, Mrs. B. M. Early History of Ringgold County: 1844 - 1937 p. 20. Blair Pub. House. Lamoni IA. 1937.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, May of 2010