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Below is a family biography included in the Biographical Annals of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania published in 1905 by The Genealogical Publishing Company.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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REV. JACOB LUTHER GRIMM, pastor of the U. B. Church at New Cumberland, comes of German ancestry, and the founder of the family in America, the first one to cross the Atlantic, was Jacob Grimm, who settled in Washington county, Md. He was a relative to the Grimms of Germany who were distinguished for their literary work.

The grandfather of Rev. Mr. Grimm died in Washington county, Md., and there Joseph Samuel Grimm, his father, was born. His education was the best afforded in the local schools of the time, and he was reared on his father’s farm and also learned the trade of carpenter. It was while working at the carpenter’s bench, as we have reason to believe his Master once did, that he felt the call that led him finally to adopt the ministry, and he not only preached the Word until his death, but left behind him sons to carry on the work the weight of years made him lay down. He passed away in 1892.

The mother of Rev. Mr. Grimm was Sarah Huffer, a native of Washington county, also daughter of Jacob Huffer, a farmer, and she died in January, 1904, the beloved mother of children as follows: Rev. William O., who is deceased; Rev. John Wesley, a minister of the U, B. Church, of Spring Grove, York county, a member of the Pennsylvania Conference: Martha A., Mrs. Simon Gloss, of Salina, Kans.; Rev. Jacob L.; Sophia, widow of Mahlon Smith, of Washington county, Md.; Amanda, Mrs. Hiram J. Smith, of Hagerstown, Md.; Sarah, widow of Albert Smith, of Washington county; Elizabeth, a school teacher in Washington county; Emma, also a school teacher in Washington county; Joseph, of Rohrersville, Md.; Harmon L., a farmer of Rohrersville, Md.; and Irwin Randolph, a farmer of Washington county. Three members of this family have devoted their lives to the ministry of the U. B. Church, a commentary of meaning on their home training.

Rev. Jacob L. Grimm was born Nov. 27, 1842, at Rohrersville, Washington county, Md., and attended the common schools and the Rohrersville Academy. He taught school for six years, beginning at the age of seventeen, during the summer seasons completing his academic course. His study of theology was pursued along with his duties of teaching, and thus, by close application, he completed the four-year course. In 1866 he was licensed to preach, and was ordained in 1870, at the annual conference session at Mill Creek, Pa., by Bishop J. J. Glossbrenner. His first charge was the Hagerstown circuit, and his second, the Boonsboro (Md.) circuit, and he was subsequently at Hagerstown; Frederick, Md.; back to Boonsboro; Baltimore, Salem Church; Baltimore, Scott Street Church; and Baltimore, Otterbein Memorial Church, where he erected a church and parsonage.

Rev. Mr. Grimm was then elected presiding elder and served in this capacity for five years, finally returning to the Baltimore district and in 1902 coming to New Cumberland as pastor of Trinity Church. His work here has been of a character to develop his church both materially and spiritually. His worth and work are appreciated by a large and intelligent congregation, and by the citizens of other religious bodies who are capable of understanding the aims and aspirations of a clergyman so earnest and so faithful as Rev. Mr. Grimm.

While always a man of peace, this learned man went out in defense of his State in 1864, enlisting for the 100 day service in Company B, 11th Maryland Volunteer Infantry. He took part in the battle of Monocacy, when the forces under Gen. Lew Wallace defeated Gen. Early. On Sept. 7, 1899, he was elected chaplain of the G. A. R. at Philadelphia, and served one year. He is an interested member of that organization.

In Chewsville, Washington county, Md., Rev. Mr. Grimm was married, in 1870, to Miss Mary E. Harp, of that place, daughter of Jacob and Lydia (Kline) Harp, farming people. The mother survived until February, 1904, dying in her ninety-fourth year. The children of Rev. and Mrs. Grimm are three in number, namely: Virginia, who married A. F. Kottcamp, of York, Pa.; Odo R., who married Dr. H. C. Algire, of Baltimore, Md.; and Elsie May, who married Warren H. Baldwin, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

Rev. Mr. Grimm is one of the prominent members of his great church, and he is eminently fitted for the work that is his at Trinity. His intellectual gifts only equal his spiritual influence, and such a man can not help exerting a powerful influence for morality in any neighborhood. All who come into contact with him are not only impressed with a sense of his intellectual vigor, but are drawn by the kindly, genial manner with which nature has endowed him.

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This family biography is one of numerous biographies included in the Biographical Annals of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania published in 1905 by The Genealogical Publishing Company. 

View additional Cumberland County, Pennsylvania family biographies here: Cumberland County, Pennsylvania Biographies

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