James F. Grinstead

Who was James F. Grinstead?

James Fontleroy Grinstead was mayor of Louisville, Kentucky from 1907 to 1909. He had a common school education in Barren County, Kentucky before moving to Louisville in 1866 at the age of 21 to work in a wholesale grocery. He was a full partner in 1871 and worked in the company for twenty years, and founded his own wholesale company in 1892, becoming a well-known local businessman.

In 1901 he won the Republican nomination to run for mayor, but learned his backer, Republican Party boss Charles Sapp, had used some questionable tactics to get Grinstead votes. Grinstead declined the nomination, earning the nickname "Honest Jim".

Grinstead was elected mayor in 1907 to complete the term started by Paul C. Barth, whose 1905 election had been thrown out by the Kentucky Court of Appeals. He ran for reelection in 1909 but lost to Democrat William O. Head.

Grinstead was elected county commissioner in 1917 and served until his death in 1921. Grinstead Drive, a prominent street running through Louisville's East End, was renamed in his honor. He was buried in Cave Hill Cemetery.

He was a descendent of William & Elizabeth Key Grinstead.