Raleigh, Jan. 11—J. Bryan Grimes, secretary of state since January, 1901, died at 8:30 o’clock at his home on East Lane street after an illness of two weeks with pneumonia and influenza.
The disease that left him a mark for complications had run its coarse without giving special alarm. But failure to show any improvement for days and particularly today left no doubt that his reserve had all gone. He passed the crisis in both diseases with ability to rally. The news of his death struck the city a staggering blow. He had never relinquished his Pitt county residence, but he held all but his farming interests and his voting here. Since taking the oath of office h had held the distinction f being the strong man in the state’s cabinet. It will be written of him that an abler secretary of state has not served the state.
Colonel Grimes was the son of Gen. Bryan Grimes of Confederate fame and was born in Pitt county 54 years ago. He was graduated from the university in the class of 1888 and among the trustees he was regarded one of the greatest lovers of his alma mater. The political revolution of the east sent him into office with the adoption of the constitutional amendment of 1900 and every candidate seeking to dislodge him had found in him a political foe with only a service record as his machine in politics. Six terms he was chosen secretary of state on that record alone. Universally he was regarded invincible.
Colonel Grimes was tice married, first in 1894 to Miss Mary Laughinghouse and in 1904 to Miss Elizabeth Forrest Laughinghouse, daughters of Capt. Joe J. Laughinghouse of Greenville. Four children came of the two unions. He is survived also by a brother, William Dempsie Grimes, and a sister, Mrs. W. Croom Rodman of Washington, N.C.
From the front page of the Lincoln County News, Lincolnton, N.C., Monday, Jan. 15, 1923.
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