GRANTHAM, Richard (1805-1882)

GRANTHAM

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 8/17/2017 at 16:08:46

Richard Grantham
(February 23, 1805 - June 27, 1882)

Advocate Tribune, Indianola, Iowa, Thurs., June 29, 1882, p.5
Death of Richard Grantham – At six o’clock Monday morning, Richard Grantham, one of the oldest citizens of Indianola died. He had returned but a few weeks ago from Texas, where he has spent the winter, in the hope of gaining strength. He was very weak at the time of his return and sank gradually till his death. The writer’s earliest recollection was as an inmate of Mr. Grantham’s house, in the winter of 1854, and in those early memories “Uncle Richard’s” good humor and never failing kindness were prominent. This is a testimony which hundreds can corroborate, no matter what the exact circumstances of their acquaintance with him; kindness, sympathy, and generosity were his distinguishing characteristics. Of his early life we learn that he was born on February 23rd, 1805, in Granger County, Tennessee, where he lived until he was grown, from whence he moved to the then new settlements of Talladega, Alabama, where he lived several years returning to Hawkins County, Tenn., and in 1850 he built a keel-bottomed boat, in which he floated to the mouth of the Ohio river, then by steamboat to Burlington and by wagons to this county. His place in the early history of Indianola is important. He had much to do with its business enterprise, and especially with its education and religious affairs. He was one of the principal supporters of the first school, helping to put up the two story building opposite his house, and establishing in it an academy. It was this taste of higher learning in its very infancy that probably made Indianola a college town. Mr. Grantham was also one of the founders of the Presbyterian Church here, and has been an honored member of that society ever since. As the town grew he laid off an addition to the east, known as Grantham and Steel’s addition. He was buried with Masonic honors at 2 o’clock Tuesday afternoon.