Biographical Sketches
P. N. GRINTER
One does not have to pursue his investigations far into the history of Jackson county before he finds that this gentleman has been prominently connected with pioneer life in this locality. Since the days when its forests were uncut and its bottom lands uncultivated save by the Indians, he located within its borders and for 46 years has been numbered among its valued residents, taking an active and commendable interest in all that pertained to its upbuilding, its welfare and its advancement. Such is his known honesty and uprightness in all the walks of life that he has the unqualified confidence and respect of friends, neighbors and business associates. Certainly in the history of his adopted county he well deserves representative, and it is with pleasure that we present to our readers the following record of his career.
In early colonial days the Grinter family was founded in America. At the time when the attempt was made to throw off the yoke of British thralldom, the grandfather of our subject, John Grinter, joined the Colonial forces and served in the Revolutionary war for 6 years and 7 months. He was on board a vessel which was captured by the English and the crew made prisoners. At the battle of Brandywine he was severely wounded and left for dead on the field. A spear was thrust into his body, but he killed the man who wounded him and kept the spear as a relic of the encounter throughout his life. A native of Virginia, he removed it an early day to Kentucky, locating in Logan county, where his son John H. had previously secured a location for the family.
This son was the father of our subject. He too was born in the Old Dominion, but became one of the honored pioneers of Kentucky. He married Nancy Crewdson, a native of Virginia, as was her father, William Crewdson, who removed to Kentucky, where he spent his remaining days. The parents of our subject were married in Logan county and always lived in that locality upon a farm. The father served in the War of 1812 under General Harrison and gave his political support to the whig party. Both parents were members of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. Their family numbered 10 children - 7 sons and 3 daughters, of whom 5 sons and 2 daughters are now living, namely: Mrs. Minerav Lasley, Mrs. Nancy Wood, Samuel A., P. N., John J., George W. and James. Thomas and James were both soldiers of the Union army during the civil war. The former, now deceased, was a member of a Kansas militia regiment. Thus in the 3 important wars of the nation the Grinter family was represented, and also as loyal and patriotic defenders of their country.
Mr. Grinter of this review was born on the old family homestead in Logan county, Kentucky, December 20, 1820, and was reared on the farm, spending his time at work in the fields and in attendance at the public schools of the neighborhood. In 1849 he bade adieu to the scenes of his boyhood and came to his present home in Jackson county, Missouri. The county was then but sparsely settled. There were no improvements upon his place but he built a log cabin and at once began clearing and planting his land. On the 10th of January, 1850, was celebrated the marriage which secured to him as a companion and helpmeet on life's journey Miss Sarah D. Moore, a native of Jackson county, and a daughter of Traverse G. Moore, a pioneer of this locality who died prior to the war. Mrs. Grinter was born June 2, 1832, and has always lived in Jackson county. By their marriage they became the parents of 2 children, but John Tacitus died March 5, 1877. Persifer Herschel, the honored mayor of Independence, is the surviving son. He wedded Mary L. Jones, and has 5 children.
Mr. Grinter has always carried on agricultural pursuits. During the war he was obliged to leave his farm and remove to Independence in obedience to Order No. 11. He belonged to the enrolled militia in Jackson county, in the Union service, and was sergeant of his company. For 43 consecutive years he has made his home upon his farm and all the improvements there have been secured through his efforts. He today has 300 acres of land, all improved, and the richly cultivated tract yields to him a handsome return for his labor.
In early life Mr. Grinter gave his political support to the whig party, but since the organization of the republican party has been one of its stalwart advocates. He cast the only vote for Abraham Lincoln in Independence in 1860, and has always stood loyally by his party. Even when party spirit ran high and he was surrounded by those who favored secession, his upright, manly course commanded their respect, and there is no more highly esteemed citizen in this locality then Mr. Grinter. He has served as a member of the School Board, but has never been an office-seeker, and he and his wife hold membership in the Cumberland Presbyterian church.
This page was last updated August 2, 2006.