William and Dora (Tinley) Grimshaw Immigrants From Ontario to Detroit

(Note: Webpage in preparation)

William A Grimshaw was born in East Gwillimbury, Ontario in about 1850. He was descended from the Edward and Dorothy (Raner) Grimshaw line. His parents, Abraham and Sarah Grimshaw and their family apparently emigrated to East Gwillimbury, a Quaker settlement area, from Yorkshire. (Most of Edward and Dorothy Grimshaw’s descendants were Quakers).

William married Dora Tinley on July 1, 1875 at Bradford, which is located near East Gwillimbury. By the 1881 Canadian Census, the family was living in Tecumseh, which is just across the border from Detroit. Subsequently the family moved across the border to the Detroit area in about 1882, where they apparently had strong connections to the GR (probably George R) and Ellen Grimshaw family, especially John Thomas (son of GR) and Arvilla (Whitesell) Grimshaw and their children (see companion webpage). The exact nature of the connection is not known; e.g., whether William and GR Grimshaw were brothers. There is no indication of a George or GR Grimshaw among William’s siblings born in about 1836 (there is a Joseph), the approximate birth year of GR Grimshaw.

Webpage Credits
References

Webpage Credits

Thanks go to

Grimshaw Indications” webpage:

William and Dora Grimshaw of Michigan

In connection with the above postings, James Pillon posted the following message on the Grimshaw Family Genealogy Forum in June 1999:

My mother was a Grimshaw from Detroit. Her Father was George and he was born in Aurora Canada about 1878. My Grandfather had a Brother Albert E. and a sister Anna Sara Lisa who married a Charles Kimmel. My great grandfathers name was William and he was married to a Dora Tinley. I do not know if William had any siblings or not. He died in 1911 in Detroit. Don’t know if this fits with what you have but, who knows we may be related.

David J. Grimshaw responded in July 2001 with the following:

The information shown on the 1900 Census of Michigan shows the following;
William Grimshaw (Head) Born May 1845 in Illinois
Dora (Wife) Born Apr 1853 in Canada
Albert E (Son) Born Aug 1876 in Michigan
Ches? R (Son) Born Aug 1879 in Michigan
Annie (Daughter) Born Jan 1881 in Michigan
Lester (Son) Born Sep 1890 in Michigan
Dora arrived in USA in 1875 and had been living in Michigan 25 years at the time of the census.

Obituary information on Albert E, Anna, and J Lester Grimshaw was obtained from the Detroit Public Library on October 15, 2005.

Partial Descendant Chart:

William Grimshaw (ca 1850, East Gwillimbury, ON – 1911, Detroit, MI) & Dora Tinley Douglas (1853, Canada – ?). Married 1 July 1875, Bradford, ON
|–Albert E Grimshaw (Aug 1875, MI – ?) & Emma Nollett
|–|–Frederick J Grimshaw
|–|–Carmen Marie Grimshaw
|–George R Grimshaw (ca 1878, Canada – ?) &
|–|–Charles W Grimshaw & Eileen Donellon
|–|–|–Doreen Grimshaw
|–|–|–Charles Grimshaw, Jr
|–|–|–Mary Delores Grimshaw
|–|–|–Jacquelyn Grimshaw
|–|–George Grimshaw
|–|–Richard Grimshaw
|–|–James Grimshaw
|–|–Unknown Daughter & Frank Pillon
|–|–Unknown Daughter & M. Hohner
|–Ches? R Grimshaw (Aug 1879, MI – ?) &
|–Annie Sara Lisa Grimshaw (Jan 1881, MI – ?) & Charles J Kimmel
|–John Lester Grimshaw (Sep 1890, MI – Apr 1940) & Ada Ebling
|–|–William A Grimshaw (15 Sep 1915 – 15 Dec 1970)

http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Search/frameset_search.asp:

Household Record 1881 Canadian Census

Name Marital Status Gender Ethnic Origin Age Birthplace Occupation Religion

William GRIMSHAW M Male English 35 O <Ontario> Painter Methodist Canada

Darah GRIMSHAW M Female English 27 O <Ontario>    Methodist Canada

Albert E. GRIMSHAW    Male English 4 O <Ontario>    Methodist Canada

George R. GRIMSHAW    Male English 2 O <Ontario>    Methodist Canada

Sarah A. GRIMSHAW    Female English <1 Born: Jan; 3/12 O <Ontario>    Methodist Canada

Source Information:

Census Place Tecumseth, Simcoe South, Ontario

Family History Library Film   1375886

NA Film Number   C-13250

District   138

Sub-district   A

Division   2

Page Number   69

Household Number   334

John Lester and Ada Ebling Record from FamilySearch:

Family Group Record Husband John Lester Grimshaw Pedigree

Birth:

Christening:

Marriage:

Death:

Burial:

Wife Ada Ebling Pedigree

Birth:

Christening:

Marriage:

Death:

Burial:

Children 1. William A Grimshaw Male

Birth: 18 SEP 1915 ,
, Michigan

Christening:

Death: 15 DEC 1970

Burial:

Marriage Record from Simcoe County, Ontario

The Ontario Vital Statistics Project, Ontario Marriage Registrations, Part 2, 1869-1917 Ontario Archives, microfilm MS 932, by Mary Crandall (Simcoe County)
http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~maryc/simcoe75.htm
008467-75 (Simcoe Co.) William A. GRIMSHAW, 25, painter, East Gwillimbury, County of York, s/o Abraham and Sarah GRIMSHAW, married Dora TINLEY, 22, Bradford, Bradford, d/o George and Sarah TINLEY, witn; Thomas KILKENNY and Ann DOUGLAS, both of Bradford, 1 July 1875 at Bradford.
For these entries the following format is followed – registration #, groom’s name, age, occupation, his birth place, his residence, his parents’ names; bride’s name, age, her birthplace, her residence, her parents’ names; witnesses, date & place of marriage

Possible Candidate Ancestor Line from Edward and Dorothy Line

May have been born after end of indicated lineage (after Abraham and Sarah departed for the U.S.)

Evidence: Parents, Abraham and Sarah; “Lister”, variant of “Lester”, in lineage; William’s daughter, “Annie Sarah Lisa” combines Sarah and Anna Eliza of two sisters of William. Abraham was the nephew of Joseph Grimshaw (m. Margaret Wetherald) who was living in New York (see companion webpage)

Problems: No GR or George R indicated as a brother born about 1836. And George R was born outside London, according to family lore….

Edward Grimshaw (About 1559 – 22 Jun 1635) & Dorotye Raner
|–Abraham Grimshaw (1603 – 1670) & Sarah ( – 21 Sep 1695)
|–|–Josias Grimshaw (25 Apr 1658 – 15 Dec 1722) & Sarah Ibbitson (25 Dec 1647 – 15 Feb 1741/1742)
|–|–|–Abraham Grimshaw (24 Feb 1691/1692 – ) & Elizabeth Sandall (5 Dec 1701 – 13 Apr 1787)
|–|–|–|–Aaron Grimshaw (14 Dec 1722 – 8 Oct 1777)
|–|–|–|–Elizabeth Grimshaw (19 Jan 1724/1725 – )
|–|–|–|–Mary Grimshaw (29 Mar 1727 – ) & Samuel Cooper
|–|–|–|–Sarah Grimshaw (20 Feb 1729/1730 – )
|–|–|–|–Abraham Grimshaw (7 Nov 1731 – 7 May 1786) & Ellenor Whalley (24 Aug 1744 – 28 Oct 1841)
|–|–|–|–|–Joseph Grimshaw* (5 Apr 1765 – 27 May 1841) & Margaret Wetherald
|–|–|–|–|–Aaron Grimshaw* (23 Nov 1778 – About 1834) & Mary Lister (11 Feb 1776 – 5 Aug 1826)
|–|–|–|–|–|–Abraham Grimshaw (14 Dec 1801 – )
|–|–|–|–|–|–Josiah Grimshaw (29 Jul 1803 – )
|–|–|–|–|–|–Eliza Grimshaw (22 Feb 1806 – )
|–|–|–|–|–|–William Grimshaw (14 Jun 1809 – )
|–|–|–|–|–|–Mary Grimshaw
|–|–|–|–|–|–Henry Grimshaw (7 Dec 1810 – )
|–|–|–|–|–|–Abraham Grimshaw (12 Oct 1812 – ) & Sarah
|–|–|–|–|–|–|–Mary Jane Grimshaw (15 Dec 1834 – )
|–|–|–|–|–|–|–Joseph Grimshaw (17 Jun 1836 – )
|–|–|–|–|–|–|–Anna Eliza Grimshaw (15 Dec 1838 – )
|–|–|–|–|–|–|–Abraham Grimshaw (13 Aug 1840 – )
|–|–|–|–|–|–|–Joseph John Grimshaw (24 Aug 1842 – )
|–|–|–|–|–|–|–Sarah Grimshaw (1843 – )
|–|–|–|–|–|–|–William? Grimshaw (1850 – ) [hypothetical entry added]

More Evidence: Marriage of Eliza A. (reversal of Anna Eliza) to George Williams

Birthdate of Eliza, 1838, matches.

http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~maryc/york1858.htm
York County Marriages, 1858
from Ontario Archives microfilm MS 248 reel 18, vol 84: York Co. 1858 – 1862
FORMAT: birth place is given before residence
George WILLIAMS, 24, England, East Gwillimbury, s/o Richard & Sarah, married Eliza A. GRIMSHAW, 20, Canada, Whitchurch, d/o Abram & Sarah, witn: William RANEY of Whitchurch, 9 Oct 1858

Albert Edward Grimshaw, Son of William and Dora Grimshaw

Biography in City of Detroit¹, Volume 4, p. 528-531:

ALBERT E. GRIMSHAW

ALBERT EDWARD GRIMSHAW. One of the more popular and attractive mercantile establishments in Detroit is the mens furnishing goods store owned and conducted by Albert Edward Grimshaw. In fact he is proprietor of two establishments of that character and his business methods are of a character that makes patronage of his stores a pleasant experience to those who give him their trade. Mr. Grimshaw is of Canadian birth, the place of his nativity being Orangeville and the date August 21, 1876. His parents were William A. and Dora Tinley (Douglas) Grimshaw and his grandparents came to the new world from Leeds, England.
When but six years of age, A.E. Grimshaw was brought to the United States, the family home being established in Detroit, where he pursued his education. He earned his first money as a newsboy, beginning to sell papers in 1888, when a lad of but twelve years. He spent four years at that task, thus making a start as do so many successful business men for there are comparatively few city boys who do not at one time or another sell papers. His next step in the business world was to enter the employ of Van Gallow Brothers, hatters and furriers, with which he continued in 1892 and 1893. Through the succeeding two years he was with the J.L. Hudson Company. Constantly he was learning more and more about business methods and the trade that was to claim his attention later. He was from 1895 until 1909 in the employ of F.W. Baumgartner, hatter, furnisher and clothier, and during this period, possessed of a laudable ambition, he accumulated the capital that enabled him to engage in business on his own account in 1909 as senior partner of the firm of Grimshaw & Stevens, of which he is president. The house deals in all kinds of mens furnishings except shoes and the business is one of extensive and gratifying proportions. With the development of the trade, a second store was opened, the two establishments being located, one at 34 West Grand River avenue and the other at the corner of Woodward and Charlotte. Mr. Grimshaw keeps in close touch with the market as well as the trend of business in other particulars and has been able to buy advantageously and sell profitably. He belongs to the Detroit Credit Mens Association.
On the 11th of August, 1903, Mr. Grimshaw was married to Miss Emma Nollett and they have become parents of a son and a daughter, Frederick J., born August 6, 1904, in Detroit; and Carmen Marie. Mr. and Mrs. Grimshaw are members of the Presbyterian church and he also is a follower of the high standards of Masonry, belonging to Palestine Lodge, A.F.&A.M.; King Cyrus Chapter, R.A.M.; Monroe Council, R.&S.M.; Michigan Sovereign Consistory, A.A.S.R.; and Moslem Temple, A.A.O.N.M.S.; and Detroit Commandery, No. 1, K.T. He belongs to the Detroit Board of Commerce and he is a member and one of the directors and charter members of the Canopus Club; a member of the Associated Retail Credit Men of Detroit; a member of the Detroit Yacht Club; and a director of the General Discount Company. His elegance of manner, his cordiality of address and his thorough reliability make for popularity both in social and business circles. Well defined purpose has characterized him since he sold newspapers as a lad of twelve, and commendable ambition has guided his course until he is now occupying a place of leadership in mercantile ranks in Detroit. Mr. Grimshaws residence is at 2963 West Grand boulevard.

Birthplace at Orangeville, Ontario (about 40 miles southwest of East Gwillimbury)

Store at 34 West Grand River Avenue

Store at Woodward & Charlotte

Residence at 2963 West Grand Boulevard