PHILIP GRASSHAM, Livingston County, is a native of Tennessee, having been born in Roane County, that State, December 27, 1827. His father, Nehemiah Grassham, was born in the same county and State in 1802. He was a skillful mechanic, and resided in his native State until 1851, at which time he came to Kentucky and located in Dycusburg, Crittenden County, where he died July 27, 1868, at the age of sixty-six years. The maiden name of subject's mother was Mare Clark. She was a daughter of John Clarky of Tennessee, and was born in 1808. Her death occurred in 1858, ten years previous to that of her husband. The following are the names of the children born to Nehemiah and Mary Grassham: John C., deceased; Mary, deceased; Nancy, Caroline, Jane, Montgomery, James M. and Philip (subject). The last named commenced making his own living when but ten years of age, working at anything he could get to do for the insignificant sum of ten cents a day. He continued as a common laborer for several years, working part of the time on a farm, and a part in a tanyard, reserving a portion of his hard-earned wages for his parents, after whose interests he looked as long as they lived. By industry and rigid economy he succeeded in accumulating a sum of money sufficient to enable him to make a payment on a tract of land in Crittenden County, which he purchased and on which he worked for two years, when he sold out at a good figure. After this transaction he followed farming and trading in real estate until 1865, at which time he moved to Salem, Livingston County, and engaged in the hotel keeping and mercantile business, the latter of which he still continues. Probably no merchant in the county has sold as many goods as Mr. Grassham, and certainly no one has been more successful. From a very meager beginning he has built up a large trade, and is at present doing an extensive business, with a general stock of merchandise representing a capital of about $10,000. In 1874 Mr. Grassham purchased his home farm, consisting of 700 acres, three miles south of Salem Village. This is one of the best improved farms in the county. He was married, December 17, 1851, to Miss Catherine Grimmett, daughter of Samuel and Fannie (Rankins) Grimmett, of Monroe County, Tenn. Mr. and Mrs. Grassham are the parents of eight children, viz.: Mary E., deceased; P. T., Sarah, wife of W. A. Bryant; Washington, deceased; Jeannette, Elizabeth, Robert H., Washington, deceased.
Source: J. H. Battle, W. H. Perrin, & G. C. Kniffin. Kentucky. A History of the State. Louisville, KY, Chicago, IL: Battey, 1885. Page 820.