Biographical Sketch of Benjamin Grist, Greene County, Missouri,
North Springfield

>From "History of Greene County, Missouri," St. Louis: Western
Historical Company, 1883.

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Mr. Grist was born in Bradford County, Pennsylvania, July 12th, 1833.
In 1850 he went to LaSalle County, Illinois, where he was engaged for
some years in the nursery business.  When he was twenty-two years of
age he began railroading.  His first work was to pump water with a 
hand pump on the Illinois Central at Wenona, and then he began braking.
In 1855 and 1856 he attended school at Farm Ridge, Ill.  He then re-
turned to the Illinois Central and began braking, which he carried on
one summer, and was then appointed yardmaster at Amboy, Ill.  He held 
that position a year, and then returned to Wenona and was elected tax
collector for a year.  In 1861 he moved to Livingston County, Ill.,
where he farmed two years and then moved to Montgomery County, Ill. and
farmed there two years.  In 1865 he moved to Jefferson City, Missouri,
and began braking upon the Missouri Pacific, and was promoted to con-
ductor in 1866.  He ran on that road as conductor until 1869, when he
went to the Iron Mountain railroad as conductor, where he remained for
eight months.  He came upon the 'Frisco road in December, 1869, and ran
the first mixed train into North Springfield in May, 1870, and was pro-
moted passenger conductor in April, 1871, and is now.  Mr. Grist is a
member of the Gate of the Temple, Lodge No. 422, A. F. & A. M., of 
which he was worshipful master in 1876-7.  He is also a member of the
Royal Arch Chapter, No. 15, and St. John's Commandery, No. 20.  Mr.
Grist was married October 6th, 1856, to Amanda Williams, of Tonica, 
Illinois.  They have two children, Maud F. and Susie E.  Mr. Grist is
president of the school board of North Springfield.

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