GRINSTEAD, Benjamin Rufus: Died 1936

GRINSTEAD, RUGH, BIGGS, DOUGLAS, MCCAFFREE

Posted By: Volunteer: Sherri
Date: 9/2/2014 at 05:01:13

**Handwritten: KEO REP 14 JAN 1937

Benjamin R. Grinstead

Benjamin Rufus Grinstead, son of George T. and Emmeline Grinstead, was born in Jefferson county, Indiana, March 1, 1847, and died at Iowa City, Iowa, Dec. 6, 1936.

At an early age he removed with his parents to Davis county, Iowa, near Troy. In 1863, at the age of 16, he enlisted in the Third Iowa Cavalry and served until the close of the war.

On January 20, 1870, he was united in marriage to Kate Amanda Rugh, who preceded her husband in death Feb. 7, 1933. To this union seven children were born, George M. (Mrs. E.J. Biggs of Scotland County); Frank L. of Colville, Washington; Edgar P., who died at Phoenix, Arizona, in 1924; Mrs. Ethel Douglas of Scotland county; Ray of Washington, D.C.; Bessie who died in infancy; and Louis R. of Columbia, Mo.

Mr. Grinstead united with the M.E. church at Mt. Olive in 1894. In addition to being active in the G.A.R., he was a life long Mason. For many years he served as vice president and president of the Scotland county Farmers' Mutual Insurance company.

In addition to the immediate family there are surviving seven grandchildren: Dorothy Douglas, Toadlena, New Mexico; Kate Grinstead, Colville, Washington; Majorie Grinstead, Washington, D.C.; Lieut. John B. Grinstead, Fr. Benning, Georgia; Mrs. William T. McCaffree, Nevada, Mo.; and Frank and Robert Biggs of Scotland county. There are nine great grand children. One brother, W.G. Grinstead of Scotland county survives, and two brothers and two sisters preceded Mr. Grinstead in death. There are many other relatives.

Funeral services were conducted by Rev. A.M. Hadley of Cantril, Monday afternoon at the Prairie View church. Pall bearers were J.D. McIntosh, Olin Smith, Fred (??), (??) Smith, Simeon Stott and Olin Drake.

Burial in the family lot in the Prairie View cemetery.

Note: There is partial letters and overtype where the two names are listed in my copy. Enlarging did not help to transcribe.

Source: Van Buren Co. Genealogical Society Obituary Book D, Page 101, Keosauqua Public Library, Keosauqua, IA