Biography - Samuel Grubbs
SAMUEL M. GRUBBS. The prominent resident of Litchfield, Ill., whose name opens this article is the President of the First National Bank of Litchfield, to which prominent office he was elected in 1890. This bank was organized June 20, 1889, with a capital stock of 8100,000, with J. R. Whitney as President, S. M. Grubbs as Vice-president, and with Eli Miller as Cashier. At the following election, S. M. Grubbs was made President, T. C. Kirkland became Vice-president, and Eli Miller continued as Cashier, and are the present officers. The business has been prosperous from the beginning, and has a surplus of $4,000.
The gentleman who now occupies the most prominent position in the city of Litchfield was born in Hillsboro, Ill., August 12, 1835. His father, Moody Grubbs, was a native of Kentucky, and in that State he married Cynthia A. Boone, who was a grandniece of the great Daniel Boone, the hero of tale and song. Moody was a mechanic, and he and his young wife came to this State at an early day and made Hillsboro their home. Here they lived until the death of Mr. Grubbs, which sad event took place when our subject was a babe of only two years. His mother possessed some of the characteristics of her illustrious ancestor, and kept her family with her, caring for them until the time came when they were able to care for her. Our subject was reared in Hillsboro, went to school, and at an early age began to earn his own livelihood. He first became a clerk, and then went into the drug business on his own account for a short time, and then enlarged his business and became a general merchant. He was attentive to his business and his customers, and was considered a rising young man, but in 1865 he concluded to remove to Litchfield, where he thought he could do better. It is this seizing of opportunities which often turns the scale in a man's life. He became very successful, as the business habits and the agreeable manners of his earlier years continued with him, and he only sold out his mercantile interests in 1868 to engage in the banking business. The firm name of the association was Brewer, Seymour & Co., and when Mr. Seymour retired the firm became Brewer & Grubbs. Finally, Mr. Grubbs succeeded Mr. Brewer, and the business was continued as S. M. Grubbs & Co., and that continued until the organization of the First National Bank, as above stated. The First National Bank now owns the fine building where the business is carried on, and it is the most modern structure in the city. The Litchfield Library is also located in it, and it is the center of the commercial interests of the place. Our subject has been interested in many of the business ventures in Litchfield," and he owns some very valuable real estate. A business block on State Street is in his possession, and a valuable farm in the country, consisting of five hundred acres of valuable improved property, belongs to him. He now holds the position of Treasurer of the Litchfield Marble Company, also Treasurer of the Oil City Building and Loan Association, and for many years has been President of the Library and Heading Room, a valuable acquisition to the city. In the year 1874, his fellow-citizens elected him to the most honorable position in their gift that of Mayor of the city. He was also made Treasurer of the city two terms, and served with credit and to the satisfaction of all.
The marriage of Mr. Grubbs took place in Hillsboro, with Miss Mary Brewer, second daughter of Judge Brewer, of Hillsboro. Seven children were the result of his union, four of whom died in infancy; Ella married G. W. Atterberry, and died leaving one child, Hazel. Mamie is the wife of E. R. Davis, the assistant of the bank, and the other daughter. Lila, became the wife of E. R. Elliott, of this city. Mrs. Grubbs died in 1888, and our subject married Mrs. Bettie A. (Beach) White, on April 30, 1890.
Mr. Grubbs has affiliated with the prominent orders of a social nature in this city, and holds a desirable position in Litchfield Lodge No. 517, A. F. & A. M., and is a member also of the Knights of Honor. He has long been a prominent member of the Methodist Church, in which he is a Trustee and Steward. His social position in the city is of the highest, and in all the relations of life he is a man to be admired and respected.
Extracted 04 Dec 2016 by Norma Hass from 1892 Portrait and Biographical Record of Montgomery and Bond Counties, Illinois, pages 214-215.
