Vanishing Man

The June 19, 1947, Lowell Ledger headline screamed, “Lowell Man Vanishes; Newton Grimwood, Proprietor of the Lowell Creamery, Mysteriously Disappears leaving No Trace Despite Diligent Search; Thought to Be Suffering Amnesia.”

Newton Grimwood was born in 1919. He joined the navy in 1942 and married Ruth Holzer in 1943. Their first son Douglas was born in 1945. Grimwood was discharged from the navy on January 6, 1946. Looking for work, Grimwood bought the Lowell Creamery from Ed Compagner, who had started the business in 1934, and moved his family to Lowell. A second son, Neil, was born in 1947.

On June 12, 1947, Grimwood suffered an injury while at work. The Lowell Creamery occupied 208 East Main Street, the home of Chimera Design today. He had been on a ladder doing repair work when a brick fell from the building, striking him on the head. Donald Lind, Grimwood’s employee, brought him home. While Lind offered to drive Grimwood to Blodgett hospital in East Grand Rapids, Grimwood refused the offer, as he didn’t see the need to pull Lind from work. Ruth said her husband tried to contact a Lowell doctor but was unable to reach one. Grimwood started out on his own, attempting to hitchhike to Grand Rapids to have x-rays taken and get a medical check.

Sheriff Deputy Frank Stephens of Lowell investigated the case. It was discovered that Lowell Village President Peter Speerstra gave Grimwood a ride to Ada, but there were no clues after that. Grimwood never made it to the hospital. Descriptions were given to the public that included physical descriptions. Grimwood was fond of children and had been born and raised on a farm, enjoying farm work.

The search was conducted by the sheriff’s department, with boy scouts joining in. The day after the disappearance, a woman in Grand Rapids reported that she gave food to a man matching Grimwood’s description. She told deputies that the man conversed with her children while she made sandwiches.

Ruth Grimwood, with two very young children, worked to keep her husband’s disappearance in the public eye. She, along with the Lowell American Legion Post, offered a $100 reward. The Associated Press joined in and publicized the disappearance. After two weeks, the American Legion, VFW, Board of Trade, Legion Auxiliary and Ruth increased the reward amount to $200.

Finally, on August 9, 1947, a slightly unkempt man walked into a police station in Monmouth Illinois, laid a wallet on the desk and then fainted. Police were able to identify him as Newton Grimwood through the papers and cards in his wallet.

A physician examined and cared for him, saying he was dazed and slightly undernourished but was overall in good physical shape. Grimwood told authorities he was married with two children, but couldn’t remember anything from the recent weeks, saying it felt like he was in a dream. The police notified Michigan State Police, who notified the family. Grimwood’s dad, still living in Illinois, picked him up.

Grimwood finally made it to Blodgett hospital, after nearly two months. His checkup and examination completed, Grimwood was released to go home. Ruth told reporters that he still had a headache and was terribly tired.

Again, the Lowell Ledger gave the community response, stating that “expressions of gladness were on every hand when word reached here Saturday morning that Newton Grimwood, proprietor of the Lowell Creamery, who had been missing for nine weeks, had turned up alive at Monmouth Illinois.” The reunion of Grimwood with Ruth and the boys was described as “an occasion long to be remembered.” In true small town community style, a card of thanks shows how the community supported Ruth Grimwood. “I wish to thank my neighbors, friends and everyone for their thoughtfulness and help during the absence of my husband.”

Newton Grimwood jumped back into his life. He continued with the Lowell Creamery until 1951 when dairy regulations changed and wood floor facilities were outlawed. Grimwood merged with Highland Hill Dairy. Owner Arie Leeman had a building with concrete floors. Lowell Creamery’s business had included a retail store and office, unlike Highland Hill Dairy. Grimwood brought the office equipment with him to Highland Hill, including a Burroughs adding machine.* The office was set up in an upstairs bedroom of the adjoining Leeman house. After merging, the two men kept their own milk routes to maintain their relationships with loyal customers. This often meant they were both delivering on the same streets.

In 1954 Pete Leeman, an employee of Highland Hill for twenty years and Arie’s brother, purchased Grimwood’s share in the business. The Grimwood family stayed in the Lowell community for a year or two before moving to Phoenix, Arizona. They added two more boys to the family. Newton passed away in 1987, and Ruth in 2009.

Images:

Newton Grimwood

Ruth Grimwood with 2 of her children
​
Lowell Creamery Advertisement