Nick was the son of Isaac Grindstaff and Mary Heaton. He and three siblings were orphaned at an early age, and they were raised by relatives. When a young man, he sold his share of the family property and went west to seek his fortune. After being robbed of all his assets, he returned to Tennessee and eventually settled on the highest peak of Iron Mountain on the county line between Johnson and Carter Counties (between Doe Valley and Stoney Creek). For over forty years he lived as a hermit, building himself a hut made of logs and boards. He cleared land, built fences, had a garden and gathered roots and herbs which he traded for supplies. He was found dead in his bed one day, guarded by his favorite dog. Local men laid him to rest near his cabin, next to the Appalachian Trail, and the Cherokee National Forest maintains the monument that marks his burial site.
Inscription: "UNCLE - Lived alone, suffered alone, and died alone."
Inscription: "UNCLE - Lived alone, suffered alone, and died alone."
Nick was the son of Isaac Grindstaff and Mary Heaton. He and three siblings were orphaned at an early age, and they were raised by relatives. When a young man, he sold his share of the family property and went west to seek his fortune. After being robbed of all his assets, he returned to Tennessee and eventually settled on the highest peak of Iron Mountain on the county line between Johnson and Carter Counties (between Doe Valley and Stoney Creek). For over forty years he lived as a hermit, building himself a hut made of logs and boards. He cleared land, built fences, had a garden and gathered roots and herbs which he traded for supplies. He was found dead in his bed one day, guarded by his favorite dog. Local men laid him to rest near his cabin, next to the Appalachian Trail, and the Cherokee National Forest maintains the monument that marks his burial site.
Inscription: "UNCLE - Lived alone, suffered alone, and died alone."
Inscription: "UNCLE - Lived alone, suffered alone, and died alone."
