William C. Grimes
Encyclopedia
William C. Grimes was an American
politician and businessman who had a major influence on Oklahoma politics. He most notably served as Acting Governor of Oklahoma Territory
from November 30, 1901, to December 9, 1901. For many years, he served as chair of the Territorial Republican Committee. He also served as territorial delegate to the Republican National Committee.
on November 6, 1857 to George Washington Grimes. At the age of twenty, he moved to Nebraska where he became a newspaperman and later sheriff of Johnson County. He traveled south to participate in the Land Run of 1889
into the Unassigned Lands
. He claimed land near Kingfisher, Oklahoma
and established a farm. He went into real estate, enlarged his farm, built business blocks and residential areas in town, and helped to establish Kingfisher College
(active from 1895–1922). He also became active in Republican politics.
in 1890. During his career as marshal, which lasted until 1893, he established a sound mechanism for the enforcement of federal law.
Grimes was turned out of office by the administration of U.S. President Grover Cleveland
. He continued to work in business and farming in Kingfisher. After the Republicans returned to national office, he was reinstalled in federal service. On May 12, 1901, he became territorial secretary under Governor of Oklahoma Territory
William Miller Jenkins
.
In 1901, William M. Jenkins was not reappointed Governor of Oklahoma Territory due to a major scandal over a state contract. Grimes became Acting Governor of Oklahoma Territory from November 30, 1901, to December 9, 1901. Although Grimes was accused of involvement in the suspect transaction, he continued to serve in the administration of Thompson Benton Ferguson
until January 1906.
on April 8, 1931.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician and businessman who had a major influence on Oklahoma politics. He most notably served as Acting Governor of Oklahoma Territory
Oklahoma Territory
The Territory of Oklahoma was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from May 2, 1890, until November 16, 1907, when it was joined with the Indian Territory under a new constitution and admitted to the Union as the State of Oklahoma.-Organization:Oklahoma Territory's...
from November 30, 1901, to December 9, 1901. For many years, he served as chair of the Territorial Republican Committee. He also served as territorial delegate to the Republican National Committee.
Early life
Grimes was born near New Lexington, OhioNew Lexington, Ohio
New Lexington is a village in and the county seat of Perry County, Ohio, United States, southwest of Zanesville. The population was 4,689 at the 2000 census.In 1900, 1,701 people lived in New Lexington, Ohio; in 1910, 2,559 lived here.-Geography:...
on November 6, 1857 to George Washington Grimes. At the age of twenty, he moved to Nebraska where he became a newspaperman and later sheriff of Johnson County. He traveled south to participate in the Land Run of 1889
Land Run of 1889
The Oklahoma Land Rush of 1889 was the first land run into the Unassigned Lands and included all or part of the 2005 modern day Canadian, Cleveland, Kingfisher, Logan, Oklahoma, and Payne counties of the U.S. state of Oklahoma...
into the Unassigned Lands
Unassigned Lands
Unassigned Lands, or Oklahoma, were in the center of the lands ceded to the United States by the Creek and Seminole Indians following the Civil War and on which no other tribes had been settled...
. He claimed land near Kingfisher, Oklahoma
Kingfisher, Oklahoma
Kingfisher is a city in and the county seat of Kingfisher County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 4,380 at the 2000 census. It is the former home and namesake of Kingfisher College.-History:...
and established a farm. He went into real estate, enlarged his farm, built business blocks and residential areas in town, and helped to establish Kingfisher College
Kingfisher College
-Bringing a College to Kingfisher:Founded by the Rev. Joseph Homer Parker, a Congregationalist Minister who had founded many Congregationalist churches in Canada and the Northeast U.S., and who had also founded the predecessor institution to Wichita State University...
(active from 1895–1922). He also became active in Republican politics.
Political career
Grimes was appointed U.S. marshal for Oklahoma TerritoryOklahoma Territory
The Territory of Oklahoma was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from May 2, 1890, until November 16, 1907, when it was joined with the Indian Territory under a new constitution and admitted to the Union as the State of Oklahoma.-Organization:Oklahoma Territory's...
in 1890. During his career as marshal, which lasted until 1893, he established a sound mechanism for the enforcement of federal law.
Grimes was turned out of office by the administration of U.S. President Grover Cleveland
Grover Cleveland
Stephen Grover Cleveland was the 22nd and 24th president of the United States. Cleveland is the only president to serve two non-consecutive terms and therefore is the only individual to be counted twice in the numbering of the presidents...
. He continued to work in business and farming in Kingfisher. After the Republicans returned to national office, he was reinstalled in federal service. On May 12, 1901, he became territorial secretary under Governor of Oklahoma Territory
Oklahoma Territory
The Territory of Oklahoma was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from May 2, 1890, until November 16, 1907, when it was joined with the Indian Territory under a new constitution and admitted to the Union as the State of Oklahoma.-Organization:Oklahoma Territory's...
William Miller Jenkins
William Miller Jenkins
William Miller Jenkins was an American lawyer and Republican politician who briefly served as the 5th Governor of Oklahoma Territory.-Early life:...
.
In 1901, William M. Jenkins was not reappointed Governor of Oklahoma Territory due to a major scandal over a state contract. Grimes became Acting Governor of Oklahoma Territory from November 30, 1901, to December 9, 1901. Although Grimes was accused of involvement in the suspect transaction, he continued to serve in the administration of Thompson Benton Ferguson
Thompson Benton Ferguson
Thompson Benton Ferguson was the sixth Governor of Oklahoma Territory.-Biography:Ferguson was born on March 17, 1857, near Des Moines, Iowa...
until January 1906.
Later years
After serving in the Ferguson's administration, Grimes moved to Oregon and later to California. He died in Santa Monica, CaliforniaSanta Monica, California
Santa Monica is a beachfront city in western Los Angeles County, California, US. Situated on Santa Monica Bay, it is surrounded on three sides by the city of Los Angeles — Pacific Palisades on the northwest, Brentwood on the north, West Los Angeles on the northeast, Mar Vista on the east, and...
on April 8, 1931.