George F. Grimes
Encyclopedia
George Frederick Arthur Grimes (June 29, 1877 – August 10, 1929) was a businessman and political figure in Newfoundland
. He represented Port de Grave from 1913 to 1919, Fogo
from 1923 to 1924, Twillingate
from 1924 to 1928 and Lewisporte
from 1928 to 1929 in the Newfoundland House of Assembly.
He was born in Channel
, the son of William Grimes and Amelia White. The family moved to St. John's
when Grimes was twelve after his father, a policeman, was posted there. He was employed as a clerk from 1890 until 1902, when he became a department manager for retail firm George Knowling Limited. In 1900, he married Annie Clarke. In 1906, Grimes helped form the Newfoundland Socialist Society; he also served as financial secretary for the St John's Trades and Labour Council in 1908. He is credited with exposing a future Newfoundland prime minister Joey Smallwood
to socialism. A supporter of the Fishermen's Protective Union
, he became manager of the dry goods department in the Union Trading Company
in 1912 and, in 1913, was elected to the House of Assembly in Port de Grave as an FPU representative. In 1914, Grimes helped form the Newfoundland Socialist League. He was invited to become a member of the Executive Council
in 1917 and served on Newfoundland's board of food control during World War I
. Grimes was defeated by John Chalker Crosbie
when he ran for reelection in 1919. He was elected again in 1923 and served in the cabinet as Minister of Marine and Fisheries from 1923 to 1924. Grimes died in office in St. John's at the age of 52 after suffering an "apoplectic attack
".
Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador is the easternmost province of Canada. Situated in the country's Atlantic region, it incorporates the island of Newfoundland and mainland Labrador with a combined area of . As of April 2011, the province's estimated population is 508,400...
. He represented Port de Grave from 1913 to 1919, Fogo
Fogo, Newfoundland and Labrador
Fogo is an outport town on Fogo Island, Newfoundland in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador.-History:The largest community on the island, the town may also be the location of the island's first permanent settlement, which took place in the early 18th century, though it is unknown...
from 1923 to 1924, Twillingate
Twillingate
Twillingate is a town of 2,448 people located on the Twillingate Islands in Notre Dame Bay. It is located off the northeastern shore of the island of Newfoundland in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. It was incorporated on September 30, 1965. The town is about north of Lewisporte and...
from 1924 to 1928 and Lewisporte
Lewisporte (electoral district)
Lewisporte is a provincial electoral district for the House of Assembly of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. As of 2011, there are 7,797 eligible voters living within the district....
from 1928 to 1929 in the Newfoundland House of Assembly.
He was born in Channel
Channel-Port aux Basques, Newfoundland and Labrador
Channel-Port aux Basques is a town at the extreme southwestern tip of the island of Newfoundland fronting on the eastern end of the Cabot Strait. A Marine Atlantic ferry terminal is located in the town which is the primary entry point onto the island of Newfoundland and the western terminus of...
, the son of William Grimes and Amelia White. The family moved to St. John's
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
St. John's is the capital and largest city in Newfoundland and Labrador, and is the oldest English-founded city in North America. It is located on the eastern tip of the Avalon Peninsula on the island of Newfoundland. With a population of 192,326 as of July 1, 2010, the St...
when Grimes was twelve after his father, a policeman, was posted there. He was employed as a clerk from 1890 until 1902, when he became a department manager for retail firm George Knowling Limited. In 1900, he married Annie Clarke. In 1906, Grimes helped form the Newfoundland Socialist Society; he also served as financial secretary for the St John's Trades and Labour Council in 1908. He is credited with exposing a future Newfoundland prime minister Joey Smallwood
Joey Smallwood
Joseph Roberts "Joey" Smallwood, PC, CC was the main force that brought Newfoundland into the Canadian confederation, and became the first Premier of Newfoundland . As premier, he vigorously promoted economic development, championed the welfare state, and emphasized modernization of education and...
to socialism. A supporter of the Fishermen's Protective Union
Fishermen's Protective Union
The Fishermen's Protective Union was a workers' organization and political party in the Dominion of Newfoundland...
, he became manager of the dry goods department in the Union Trading Company
Fishermen's Union Trading Co.
The Fishermen's Union Trading Company , a limited liability company, was founded in 1911 to be the commercial arm of the Fishermen's Protective Union...
in 1912 and, in 1913, was elected to the House of Assembly in Port de Grave as an FPU representative. In 1914, Grimes helped form the Newfoundland Socialist League. He was invited to become a member of the Executive Council
Executive Council of Newfoundland and Labrador
The Executive Council of Newfoundland and Labrador is the cabinet of that Canadian province....
in 1917 and served on Newfoundland's board of food control during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. Grimes was defeated by John Chalker Crosbie
John Chalker Crosbie
Sir John Chalker Crosbie, was a Newfoundland politician and businessman.Born in Brigus, Newfoundland, the son of George Graham Crosbie and Martha, he started a company, Crosbie and Company, which was an exporter of fish. In 1908, he was elected to the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly...
when he ran for reelection in 1919. He was elected again in 1923 and served in the cabinet as Minister of Marine and Fisheries from 1923 to 1924. Grimes died in office in St. John's at the age of 52 after suffering an "apoplectic attack
Apoplexy
Apoplexy is a medical term, which can be used to describe 'bleeding' in a stroke . Without further specification, it is rather outdated in use. Today it is used only for specific conditions, such as pituitary apoplexy and ovarian apoplexy. In common speech, it is used non-medically to mean a state...
".