grinsteadt  
 

Transcribed from "An Illustrated History of The Big Bend Country, embracing Lincoln, Douglas, Adams and Franklin counties, State of Washington",  published by Western Historical Publishing Co., 1904.

     THOMAS GRINSTEAD.  Among the worthy pioneers of the Big Bend country there ought not be failure to mention the subject of this article, because he has certainly done his part in bringing about the development and upbuilding of this country and has achieved for himself a standing among the substantial citizens here.
     Thomas Grinstead was born in Washington county, Virginia, on July 7, 1860, the son of Frank and Catherine (Ingram) Grinstead, natives of Kentucky and Indiana, respectively.  The father moved to Virginia, when a young man and there followed his trade of milling until his death in 1898.  Our subject was one of the following named children: Jacob, Hannah, Andrew, Edward, Dorcus, Parker, Ann, Eunice, William, Newton, Thomas, Robert, Florence, and Charles.  Thomas grew to manhood in the Old Dominion State, and there received his education from the public schools.  In 1877, being a lad but seventeen years of age, he journeyed west to Oregon and hired out as a farm hand.  Two years were thus spent then he came on to Walla Walla, where he remained two years more, and, it being then 1881, he took a pre-emption in the Brent's country, just north of Creston.  Like many another stanch frontiersman of this section, he was obliged to go each year to the more populous section of the state to earn money for the improvement of his government claim.  In 1886, he sold this land and took a homestead four miles east from Wilbur.  He bought a quarter section a little later from the railroad company and in 1903 bought one quarter section more, which makes him three hundred and twenty acres of valuable wheat land.  In addition to this, Mr. Grinstead has a fine residence in Wilbur where he lives during the winter season.
     Mr. Grinstead was married in 1887, to Miss Noley, daughter of Allen J. Stookey.  To this union three children have been born, Allen E., Benjamin F. and Williard W.
 


BACK