Los Angeles County
Biographies
CHARLES GRIMES
GRIMES, CHARLES,
Mining, Pasadena, California,
is a native of the State of Maryland,
where he was born on September 20, 1859.
His father was Charles H. Grimes and his mother Sarah A. (Hobbs) Grimes. He married Florence E. Black, at Pasadena, October 9,
1889. They are the parents of two
children, Zillah and Gladys Grimes.
Mr. Grimes was
not well favored in the matter of education in his youth, his studies being
confined to the country schools of his native State, and consequently his
success in life is due to his own ability.
He spent his early days in working on a farm in the State of Maryland, but when he
was a young man he left the farm and went to work on a railroad.
He continued in
the railroad business for several years, but in October, 1885, was attracted by
the stories of wonderful opportunity to be found in California.
This was the boom time of the Golden
State and Mr. Grimes was
in the great army of fortune hunters who went there at that period. He arrived in Pasadena, and was so struck with the beauties
of the place that he decided to make that his future home.
The first few
years after his arrival Mr. Grimes was engaged in various capacities, but being
a man of progressive ideas he kept his eyes open for a chance to go into
business for himself.
Finally, in
February, 1892, he embarked in the tobacco business at Pasadena, and about four years later he
became proprietor of a restaurant, which he conducted until 1910.
California is a place where opportunities
for investment are numerous and Mr. Grimes has interests in many
enterprises. But it was not until about
three years ago that he really became a factor in the mining field, at that
time renouncing practically all other business except that of mining. He assisted in the organization of the Tom
Reed Gold Mines Company, and was elected president of it, a position he has
held down to the present day. After he
had served as president for a year the office of treasurer was added to his duties,
and he is now occupying both. The Tom
Reed property is located in Mojave County, Arizona, near the town of Kingman,
and is one of the best gold mining properties in the United States today. In the three years it has been in existence a
tremendous amount of ore has been mined, and it gives promise of being one of
the most productive mines in the country.
In addition to
his interests in the Tom Reed Mine, Mr. Grimes is a stockholder in mining
enterprises in other parts of Arizona and in
northern California. In the policies of each of these his counsel
plays an important part and he has shown keen judgment in the management of the
Tom Reed property.
Another business
which claims part of Mr Grimes’ time is the Austin
Biscuit Company, of Pasadena,
a growing and prosperous concern in which he is one of the principal
stockholders and a member of the board of directors.
Mr Grimes is not clubman, but he is prominent in lodge
circles in Southern California and has been
the recipient of honors from his various fraternal orders. He is a life member of Pasadena Lodge, No.
272, A. F. & A.M., also of the Council Chapter, Royal Arch and Pasadena Commandery, Knights Templar. He belongs to Pasadena Consistory. He is a thirty-second degree member of the
Pasadena Consistory, and also belongs to the Maccabees,
W. O. W., Elks and the Knights of Pythias. He is a man of more than ordinary civic pride
and has taken an active part in various improvements which have tended to make Pasadena almost a model city
of beautiful homes and environment.
Transcribed 11-25-11
Marilyn R. Pankey.
Source: Press
Reference Library, Western Edition Notables of the West, Vol. I, Page 865, International
News Service, New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Boston,
Atlanta. 1913.
© 2011 Marilyn R. Pankey.
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