Grimes, James Wilson, 1816-1872

Staff Only

Biography

James Wilson Grimes was born 20 October 1816, at Deering, New Hampshire. He entered Dartmouth College in 1832 (at the age of sixteen), but left in 1835, just after the first term of his junior year. He was awarded his degree from the College in 1845, as a member of the Class of 1836. After leaving college, he studied law and became a resident of Burlington, Iowa in 1836. He acted as secretary of the commission which made two important treaties with the Sac and Fox Indians that same year. He was elected to the first Legislative Assembly of the Territory of Iowa (1838), the sixth Legislative Assembly (1843), and a member of the fourth General Assembly of the state (1852). Grimes was nominated (and elected) for the office of governor by the Whigs in 1854. In 1859, Grimes took his seat in the United States Senate for the first time. He served in the Senate until 1869, at which time he retired after suffering two strokes. Grimes died in Burlington, Iowa, on February 7, 1872.

Found in 3 Collections and/or Records:

James Wilson Grimes letter

Collection

Identifier: Mss 861119

Mss 861119

Date(s): 1861-01-19

Scope and Contents

Three-page autobiographical sketch from James Wilson Grimes in Washington to Charles Lanman, mentioning time spent in New Hampshire and at Dartmouth College.

James Wilson Grimes letter

Collection

Identifier: Mss 865210

Mss 865210

Date(s): 1865-03-10

Scope and Contents

Two-page letter from James Wilson Grimes in Washington to Asa Dodge Smith, telling him that writer must wait until his return to Iowa before deciding how much he can give to Dartmouth.

James Wilson Grimes letters

Collection

Identifier: MS-925

MS-925

Date(s): 1863 to 1868

Abstract

James Wilson Grimes (1816-1872), politician. Dartmouth College Class of 1836. The collection consists of correspondence from Grimes to "John," written during his tenure as senator for the state of Iowa.