Eaton Co. USGenWeb Archives - Biographies ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ WILLIAM M. GRISWOLD is a representative of one of the pioneer families of the county whose history, and especially that of Vermontville, Eaton County, where he makes his home, would be incomplete without this sketch. We cannot hope to give a full account of what he and his father have done for the public interests of this county but will try to mention a few of the important labors which they have performed in behalf of its welfare. Roger W. Griswold, father of our subject, was born in Benson, VT, March 10, 1812, and until twenty-fours years of age resided in his native town. Emigrating west in 1836, he became one of the original members of the Vermont Colony that founded the present town of Vermontville. He was one of the first movers in the organization of the town and assisted in laying out its boundaries. The country was then all dense forest and gave little promise that in the future it would be transformed into the fine farming land which we today see. Soon after his arrival here, Mr. Griswold went to Calhoun County, Mich., in search of something to live on while getting his land ready for occupancy and purchased a load of wheat which he had ground into flour on his way home. He was the first man to bring a grist of flour to Vermontville. From the date of his arrival here until his death he was a leader in every public enterprise calculated to benefit the community, and no man has ever taken a more important part in the upbuilding and advancement of the county's interests. Where money was to be raised by subscription his name headed the list whether it was for building the old Academy, erecting a church, raising the minister's salary or bringing up arrearages, clearing the town of the "war draft" or aiding to build the railroad. He not only made large donations himself but carried around the paper and induced others to do the same. His power and influence were always exerted on the side of education, temperance, social reform and morality and the important work he did for Vermontville, where he resided for half a century, cannot be over-estimated. He was assisted in all his labors by his estimable wife who proved a true helpmate to him in many ways. Her maiden name was Abigail S. Bascom, and she was born in Benson, Vt, in 1816. After preparing a home for her in the West, Mr. Griswold returned to his native state and they were married in 1838. Hand in hand they traveled life's journey, mutually encouraged and sustaining one another and doing all in their power for those with whom they came in contact. Mrs. Griswold was a highly-educated lady and one of the brightest women who ever adorned the circles of Vermontville. She and her husband were long members of the Congregational Church. He held a number of public offices of trust, was Town Supervisor for a number of years and on several occasions received every vote polled in the town. He supported the Whig party until its dissolution and then joined the new Republican party. Socially he was a member of the Masonic Fraternity. After the death of his first wife in 1871, he married Mrs. Frances Browning, of Vermontville, who still survives him. In business affairs Mr. Griswold was greatly prospered and at his death left a handsome estate to his family. He died May 31, 1886. Thus one of nature's noblest men passed away, but his memory lives after him. Our subject is one of six children born to Roger and Abigail Griswold - Hattie J. who now resides in Grand Rapids, Mich., is the widow of Albert Bacon, who was killed by the explosion of the ill-fated propeller, "Nile", at Detroit a few years ago; Joseph B., who served as surgeon in the Fourth Michigan Infantry during the late war, is a prominent practicing physician of Grand rapids; Isaac S., is a teacher in the schools of Hiawatha, Kan.; William M. is the next younger; Della C., is the wife of Rev. Homer J. Parker, a congregational minister of Wichita, Kan.; and Mary N. died in infancy. We now take up the personal history of W. M. Griswold who has followed in the footsteps of his illustrious father, as regards the prominent part he has taken in public affairs. He was born on the farm where he now lives, inside the corporation limits of Vermontville, June 27, 1849, and has spent his entire life on the old homestead. His education was acquired in the Vermontville Academy and High School and he has made farming his life work. During the last few years, he has also given considerable attention to the breeding of roadsters and trotting horses. He owns one hundred and seventy-six acres of good land, lying within and north of the village, which is one of the finest, as well as of the oldest farms in town. The greater part is under a high state of cultivation and nothing is lacking which would add to its development and convenience. His home is a large two story brick residence, constructed on an excellent plan, richly yet neatly furnished and supplied with all the comforts and accessories which go to make life worth the living. Sharing with him his pleasant home are his wife and six children. On the 22nd of April, 1875, Mr. Griswold married Miss Rose W. Loring, of Vermontville, who was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1852, and is a daughter of Allen T. and Eliza (Oliver) Loring, whose sketch will be found elsewhere in this volume. A lady of culture and refinement, highly endowed with the grace of nature and art, she has the respect and love of her many friends and acquaintances and is an acknowledged leader in the social world. The children of the family are Robert L, Della S, Joseph G, Graham A, Ruth L, and Kate M. Mr. Griswold is a stanch Republican in politics and has held a number of town, city and school offices but has always declined to engage more actively in public affairs. Since about twenty years of age he has been a consistent member of the Congregational Church and also belongs to the United Workmen fraternity, having been the first Master and one of the charter members of the Eaton Lodge, No. 71, A.O.U.W. of Vermontville. Genial and affable in his manner, of a pleasant and gentlemanly address, Mr. Griswold makes friends wherever he goes and wins the confidence and high regard of all with whom he is brought in contact. Taken from "Portrait Biographical Album of Barry and Eaton Counties, Mich." Chicago: Chapman Bros, 1891. pages 595, 596.