James
Grimes was
born in Deering, New Hampshire, on 20th October, 1816. After graduating
from Dartmouth College he studied law and worked as a lawyer in Wisconsin
Territory.
Grimes served in the Iowa House of Representatives in 1838-1839 and
1843-44. He served as Whig Party governor
of Iowa (1854-1858) before joining the Republican
Party. Grimes was elected as a member to the Senate in November
1858.
In July, 1861, Grimes was a member of a group of politicians, including
Benjamin Wade, Lyman
Trumbull and Zachariah Chandler,
who witnessed the Battle of Bull Run.
The battle was a disaster for the Union forces and at one stage Grimes
came close to being captured by the Confederate
Army. After arriving back in Washington,
Grimes was one of those who led the attack on the incompetence of
the leadership of the Union Army.
Grimes served in Congress and served until he resigned in December,
1869, due to ill health. James Grimes died on 7th February, 1872.
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