Grundy County IL Archives Biographies.....Griggs, Jacob M 1829 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/il/ilfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com March 25, 2006, 4:18 pm Author: Bio/Gen Record LaSalle/Grundy 1900 Jacob M. Griggs There are few residents of Grundy county whose arrival within its borders antedates that of Mr. Griggs, for through fifty-three years he has made his home here and has been actively associated with the business interests which contribute to the material prosperity and welfare of the county. He was born in Northumberland county, Pennsylvania on the 12th of April, 1829, his parents being Peter and Catherine (Moore) Griggs, who also were natives of the Keystone state, the father being of English lineage, while the mother was of Dutch descent. The grandfather of our subject was John Griggs, a native of Philadelphia, and the great-grandfather was Dr. John Griggs, who was born in England and became the founder of the family in the New World. He crossed the Atlantic to the United States, taking up his residence in Philadelphia, and the various generations of the family since that time have been represented in the Keystone state. Peter Griggs, the father of our subject, was a farmer by occupation, and in 1836 he made his way westward to Grundy county, pre-empting canal land, on a part of which is now located the present town of Morris. He then returned to the east, and the following year brought his family to the new home. He lived less than ten years after his removal to this county, but his wife survived many years, passing away at the very advanced age of eighty- four. She was a second time married. Jacob M. was the second in order of birth in a family of eight children, six of whom reached years of maturity, namely Mary, Jacob M., Priscilla, John, Henry and Wilson. Mr. Griggs, of this review, was only eight years of age when his parents came to Grundy county, where he has resided continuously since. He was reared amid the wild scenes of the frontier, and with the family experienced all the hardships and trials incident to frontier life. He obtained his education in the district schools and attended the first public school held in Morris, his teacher being his aunt, Miss Eliza Griggs. He also aided in building the second house in Morris. Through the years of his minority he assisted in the work of the home farm, and after arriving at man’s estate he began farming on his own account. He has always carried on agricultural pursuits, although interested at various times for brief periods in other business enterprises, including the manufacture of tiling, the grocery business and general teaming. Farming, however, has been his chief occupation in life, and through his close application, untiring industry and capable management he has met with very creditable success and is now the owner of three valuable farms, two being located in Grundy county, while one is situated in Iowa. He also owns considerable town property. He certainly deserves great credit for the success which he has achieved in life, and has justly won the proud American title of a self-made man. In 1861 Mr. Griggs was united in marriage to Miss Emma E. Cochran who was born in New York and came to Grundy county during her early girlhood with her parents, Samuel and Hannah Cochran. Mr. and Mrs. Griggs now have eight children, namely: Siegle A., Henry Beecher, Helen Jeanette, Minnie May, Bert Watson, Archie Ray, Grace G. and Lillie Mabel. In early life Mr. Griggs served as constable and town collector. In politics he has long been a supporter of the Republican party, which he upholds by his ballot at each election. He is also a persistent temperance worker, and has “fought whisky” for fifty-three years. His labors have been earnest and effective in this direction, and at all times he has given his support to measures and movements which he believes will prove of public benefit. He has now reached the Psalmist’s span of three-score years and ten, yet is still actively connected with business affairs. He has witnessed almost the entire growth and development of Grundy county, and as one of its honored pioneer settlers he well deserves representation in this volume, being the oldest settler alive to-day in Morris. Additional Comments: Source: Biographical and Genealogical Record of La Salle and Grundy Counties Illinois, Volume 11, Chicago, 1900, pages 569-570 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/grundy/bios/griggs592nbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/ilfiles/ File size: 4.8 Kb