HISTORY OF KANE COUNTY.
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a member of the G. A. R. Mr. Griggs was married, Dec. 5, 1877, to Miss Hattie Patterson, and they are the parents of three children: Leslie E., John G., and Jessie B.
JOHN GRIGGS, Sr. (deceased), pioneer, was born Nov 6, 1782, in Sheffield, Mass. He married Ruth Dibble in 1800, at Mt. Washington, Mass., and three years later removed to Wind-ham, Green County, N. Y., where they lived some years. In 1812 their home was at Black Rock, N. Y., where he saw service in the War of 1812. He owned a vessel plying on the Niagara River and Lake Erie, and was engaged in the transportation of Government supplies. In 1814 he went to Ohio and helped found the town of Sheffield in Ashtabula County. In 1834 he removed to Illinois, and settled in what is now Plato Township, Kane County, where he built an old-time tavern on the Galena stage line, which he kept many years in connection with his farming operation. He was one of the first Justices of the Peace in Plato Township, and held that office many years. He died in 1868.
ALEXANDER GRIMES (deceased), pioneer settler, Batavia, Ill., was born in Linden, N. Y., in 1826, and, when a boy about ten years of age, came to McHenry County, Ill. Here he passed several years with the usual experiences of frontier life, when he returned to New York, and completed his education at Madison University, graduating in 1852. The same year he married Miss Malvina Loveland, who had just graduated from Hamilton Female College, and the young couple at once came west to make their home in Batavia, Ill. Mr. Grimes was interested in real-estate operations, farming, contracting and many other business enterprises, during his long and active business career. In 1864 he was commissioned Captain of Company B, One Hundred and Forty-first Illinois Volunteer Infantry (a 100-day regiment), and served out the period of his enlistment. Mr. Grimes was a life-long Democrat and took an active part in politics, and was the local leader of his party for many years. He died at Batavia in 1883. His wife died Feb. 3, 1904.
WILLIS L. GRIMES, merchant and ex-Postmaster, Batavia, Ill., was born in Batavia, Aug. 20, 1854, and is a son of Alexander and Malvina (Loveland) Grimes. He completed his education in the Batavia High School, and was trained to mercantile life. He entered the railway service in his early manhood, and was appointed Postmaster at Batavia by President Cleveland. He served a little over four years under this appointment, after which he became Cashier of the Van Nortwick Bank at Batavia. In 1893 he was again appointed Postmaster and served a little over four and a half years, acting at the same time as cashier of the bank. In 1898 he engaged in the hard ware business, in which he has built up a very profitable trade, and one which promises much growth in the immediate future. In municipal affairs and in the councils of the Democratic party he is prominent. He is a Mason, a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America. He was married June 1, 1881, to Miss Anne E. Shaw, daughter of Whitely Shaw of Batavia, and of this union there have been born three daughters, Rebecca M., wife of Wm. Krause; Effie Madge, and Florence L. It is worthy of note in this connection that five generations of Mrs. Grimes' family are now living in Batavia.
WILLIAM GROTE, Real Estate and Loans, Elgin, Ill., born at Winzlar, Hanover, Germany, Nov. 22, 1849; received his education in the German schools and the public schools of Cook and DuPage Counties, whither he removed in 1866. In 1871 he entered mercantile life, but turned his attention in 1882 to real estate. He is a Republican and has served four years as Assistant Supervisor and two years as Supervisor. For six years he was on the Board of Education, was elected Mayor of Elgin in 1891, and re-elected in 1893. Mr. Grote is President of the Elgin Packing Company, President of the Kane County Title & Trust Company, Secretary of the Elgin Lumber Company, President of the Elgin Brick & Tile Company, a Director of the Home National Bank and the Home Savings Bank, Vice-President of the Elgin Academy and of North Western College. Naperville; is also Chairman of the Industrial Association of Elgin and Chairman of the Republican Central Committee of Kane County. He was a promoter and a stockholder of the Elgin, Carpentersville & Aurora Railway Company, of which he was President from 1890 to 1901.
