From: The Portrait and Biographical Review of Johnson, Massac, Pope and Hardin Counties, Illinois. Chicago Biographical Publishing Company 1893 Transcribed by Cindy Pegg William M. GRISSOM was born in Grantsburg Township, Johnson County, IL, 9 December 1830. His father was Warren GRISSOM of North Carolina who was the son of John GRISSOM. Warren moved to Tennessee at the age of 6. In 1818, at the age of 12, they moved to Illinois. John GRISSOM's wife died in Grantsburg Township and was buried in Grissom Cemetery. John then returned to Tennessee, remaining there until his death. At the age of 18, Warren GRISSOM left his parents farm and went to live with the SIMPSONs where he was able to attend a year of school. He remained in that neighborhood for seven years. At the age of 22 he went to Golconda where he worked in a tobacco warehouse and general merchandise store for five years. At the age of 24, he married Miss Miranda FINNEY, a native of Ohio. Miranda's parents died when she was six and she lived in Golconda, IL with her aunt. They bought a farm in Grantsburg Township. His first wife died in 1849 and he then married Sarah WILLIAMS from Georgia who also preceded him in death. Warren died in 1867 and he was buried in Pope County, IL. With his first wife, he had seven children: William M.; Naomi, who died on the old farm at the age of 1 year; Elizabeth, who also died at the farm at the age of 1 year; Pleasant G. who died at the age of 3; Nancy, deceased; Mary A., who married and lived in Massac County, IL; and Thomas L. who died in Massac County. With his second wife, he had: Warren J. and Delilah Jane, deceased; and a child that died in infancy. William M. GRISSOM was the first born. He lived with his parents on the farm until he was 13 years old at which time he went to live with Pleasant Rose. He lived with him for 8 years. He was then employed on another farm for 4 years. At that time, he had saved enough money to buy a farm of his own. In 1859, he married Miss Eliza FARLES, a native of Johnson County, IL. She died in 1886 and was buried in Concord graveyard. William was married second to Miss Eliza SPENCE of Massac County, IL. By his first wife, he had the following children: Sidney A., deceased; James E., Jane, Thomas L., Kittie and Ida, all of whom died in infancy; Mary Elizabeth, wife of Frank FAERIES; William J., who was a teacher in Johnson County, and Barney. --------------------------------------------------------------------- UGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Cindy Pegg