William C. Grimes

William C. Grimes (November 6, 1857 – April 8, 1931) 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.[1] For many years, he served as chair of the Territorial Republican Committee. He also served as the territory's member of the Republican National Committee.[2]

William C. Grimes
Acting Governor of Oklahoma Territory
In office
November 30, 1901 – December 9, 1901
Preceded byWilliam Miller Jenkins
as Territorial Governor
Succeeded byThompson Benton Ferguson
as Territorial Governor
Personal details
BornNovember 6, 1857
New Lexington, Ohio
DiedApril 8, 1931(1931-04-08) (aged 73)
Santa Monica, California
Political partyRepublican
ProfessionBusinessman, politician

Early life

Grimes was born near New Lexington, Ohio on November 6, 1857 to George Washington Grimes.[3] 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 to 1922). He also became active in Republican politics.[2]

Political career

Grimes was appointed U.S. marshal for Oklahoma Territory in 1890. During his career as marshal, which lasted until 1893, he established a sound mechanism for the enforcement of federal law.[2]

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.[2]

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.[2]

Later years

After serving in the Ferguson's administration, Grimes moved to Oregon and later to California. He died in Santa Monica, California on April 8, 1931.[3]

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References
  1. "Governors of Oklahoma". Rootsweb. Retrieved August 1, 2008.
  2. "GRIMES, WILLIAM C. (1857–1931)". Oklahoma State University. Retrieved August 1, 2008.
  3. "Index to Politicians: Grimes". The Political Graveyard. Retrieved August 1, 2008.
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