David Grim, Prominent among the retired farmers and representative citizens of
Knox County home stands on section 24, of Copley Township. He is one of the
those men who have shown the keen foresight and prompt dispatch of duty which
bring their own reward. He has been a resident of the homestead he now occupies
since 1862

Mr. Grim was born in Augusta County, VA., Feb. 18, 1819. His parents were
Phillip and Mary Selbridge Grim, natives of Virginia. Their family circle was
large, including 13 children. They came to Fulton County in 1832, and settled in
Canton. They were farmers by occupation and remained on the home place until
1870. Date of father's death, August, 1866. The mother died in 1838.

David was the ninth child in order of birth, and he remained at home until he
was 21 years of age, working on the farm and gaining only limited education.
After leaving home he engaged with a brother in the coal business, but after one
year they dissolved partnership, and he has since carried on the business alone.
Up to 1862 he lived in Fulton County, then came to the place he now owns, and
has since been engaged in farming. cultivating and improving his place. He
values his land at $60 an acre.

Mr. Grim was married Feb 07, 1841, to Miss Rebecca Berkshire, the daughter of
Otho Berkshire. Before his marriage he lived in Canton, Fulton County. He went
up to see his intended wife and staid all night. In the morning her father told
him to "leave -- that was all he asked of him." So he went home, and in one week
returned and stole her away. When he crossed Spoon River he had to be ferried
across; the water was nine feet deep, and the ferryman said it was impossible to
ford it. ?So, he went on, and when he got within a hundred yards of Mr.
Berkshire's house his sweetheart came to meet him, got into the vehicle and they
fled back toward the river. When they got there he had forgotten about hiring
the ferryman to ferry them over, and so drove into the river. The water was
nine feet deep or more and running very swiftly. The team, however, swam
straight across, and just as they reached the bank the rear spring of the buggy
broke. In landing they got wet to the knees, and then had 18 miles to drive,
and it was one of the coldest nights of the winter when within four miles of
their stopping place, they looked back and saw two men coming on horseback to
catch, as they supposed. At their entreated the driver cracked his whip and the
horses flew over the ground at their best speed. It proved, however, that the
men were not pursuing them, being partied on their way home from a dance. The
young couple arrived safely at their destination, and at 10 o'clock in the
morning were married by Rev. Richard Haney, whose name has since become so
famous in connection with the history of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Their family comprised nine children, five of whom survive, as follows: Lucinda,
David, Annie, Anson, and Edwin. Mrs. Grim departed this life August 09, 1881.
Lucinda, now Mrs. Abraham Suydam, has eight children, as follows: Arthur, Della,
Carrie, John, Emmie, Jerusha, Charles, and Maud. David married Sarah Daniels,
and to them have been born six children--Ida, Minnie, Sadie, Ella, Emma, Fred,
Annie, whose husband is Simeon Durham, has seven children--Emma, Ella, John,
Allie, Effie, Sadie and Sophia. Anson married Julia Goff, and has four
children--Marvy, Mary, Julia M. and Jennie.
Mr.
Grim is a republican in politics, holding some of the political offices of his
county; he has been pathmaster and School Director, and is interested in
educational matters. With his wife he is a member of the First Methodist
Episcopal Church, and one of the most substantial and practically good men in
this vicinity.