FRANKLIN COUNTY OHIO - BIO: GRISWOLD, Isaac (published 1880)
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Centennial History of Columbus and Franklin County,  Ohio
By William Alexander Taylor

ISAAC GRISWOLD

The history of pioneer development in Franklin county records the
achievements of Isaac Griswold,  who became on of the earliest settlers
of this part of the State and aided  in transforming it from a wild and
uninhabited region to a district of rich fertility.  His labors were
continued here for more than fifty years,  covering the first half of
the nineteenth century and he was therefore among those who laid broad
and deep the foundation for the present development and progress of this
part of the state.  A native of Connecticut,  he was born in Windsor, 
October 27,  1779,  and there spent his early youth on a farm with his
parents,  Isaac(sp) and Christina (Holcomb) Griswold.  He was of the
third generation who had resided in Connecticut,  the family having been
founded there at an early period in the colonization of the new world.

Isaac Griswold,  of this review,  was reared in the state of his
nativity and there continued until he sought a home in Ohio,  the then
far west.  In company with Edward Phelps and Colonel Kilbourne he came
to Franklin county in 1805 in order to see the country.  The journey was
made on horseback and they found a region untouched by evidence of
civilization.  It was just as it was when it came from the hand of
nature.  Not a tree had been cut nor an improvement made but the country
was rich in its natural resources and offered to give possession to
those who were not afraid  to brave the hardships,  privations and
dangers of pioneer life.  Mr. Griswold was a determined,  energetic man
and he feared not the difficulties that would beset him in an attempt to
establish a home on the frontier.  Returning for permanent settlement he
made the trip with three yoke of oxen,  horses and wagon,  driving all
the way,  about two months having required for the journey,  which was
completed in August 1806.  On a previous trip he had purchased two
hundred acres of land,  which still remains in possession of the family.

Mr. Griswold while in Connecticut had married Miss Ursula Clark,  who
was born and reared in the same neighborhood in which his boyhood and
youth were passed.  Coming to Ohio with his wife he first built a cabin
on the fifty-acre tract of land now owned by George W. Clark.  There he
resided until 1812,  when a new survey was made and he secured one
hundred and fifty acres of land,  which has since remained the old
homestead property of the family.

In that year he built on it a little log cabin and in 1823 erected the
present home of his daughter,  Mrs. Clarke,  although many modern
improvements have been added in the intervening years.  Here he resided
until his death,  his time and attention always being given to the
cultivation and improvement of his farm.  He was practical and energetic
in everything that he undertook and accomplished gratifying results.

Mr. Griswold was also active in community affairs and did much for the
upbuilding of his section of the county.  He acted as postmaster from
1824 until 1853,  the post office being kept in his own home until
1868,  his son,  Cicero P. Griswold,  succeeding him as postmaster. 
This is known as Blendon postoffice.  Mr. Griswold gave his early
political support to the Whig party and upon its dissolution he joined
the ranks of the new republican party,  which he continued to support
until his death,  which occurred in July,  1869.  Thus passed away one
of the oldest settlers of the county,  a pioneer whose work had been most
beneficial in the improvement and upbuilding of this section of the
state. In early days he was known to every settler here and all
respected him for his genuine worth and his many sterling traits of
character.  He had survived his wife for about fifteen years.

Mr. and Mrs. griswold were the parents of six children:  Isaac M,.  who
was born in Conn. and died in Illinois;  Edwin B..,  who was also a
native of Conn. and died in this county;  Christie A..,  a native of
Franklin County and now the wife of Thomas Schrock;  Fredus N.;  Cicero
P.;  and Mindwell E.  The last named is the only one now living,  her
home being upon the farm which became her fathers property in 1812.  She
was married in 1843 to George B. Clarke,  who was born in Mount Vernon, 
Knox county,  Ohio,  in May,  1818,  while Mrs. Clarke's birth occurred
December 19,  1822,  on the farm which is still her home.  In the year
1838,  George B. Clarke came to this county with his parents.  After
their marriage they went to Iowa,  where they resided until his death in
1852.  Mrs. Clarke then returned to her fathers home with her five
children:  Louisa,  the wife of II. Warren Phelps of Columbus;  Edwin
E..,  who wedded Della Newcomb and who died in Delaware in 1893;  George
W.,  who wedded Minnie Shr___,  and who follows railroading,  and owns
the fifty acres which his grandfather first settled on;  Eunice G.,  the
wife of Rev. F.M. Pitkin,  who resides on the farm with Mrs. Clarke; 
and Charles W.,  who wedded Ella J. Kuttz,  of Sharon Township.

Mrs. Clarke,  now eight six years old,  still occupies the old home in
which she was born.  It was formerly the stopping place for people who
traveled by stage from Columbus to Cleveland,  it being the first
station on the stage route out of the capital city.  The house has been
greatly remodeled and is now a substantial farm dwelling,  while all of
the buildings are modern.  Mrs. Clarke can relate many interesting
incidents of the early days,  her mind being stored with reminiscences
of pioneer times when the homes of the settlers were largely log
cabins,  when cooking was done over the fireplaces and the people had to
depend on what they raised to supply their larder.  Houses,  too,  were
lighted by candles,  while later kerosene lamps came into use.  Many of
the common comforts of the present time were then unknown but the years
have wrought a marvelous change in the way of living.  The early homes, 
however,  were noted for their generous and warm hearted hospitality, 
neighbors being willing to oblige or aid one another in any way
possible.  As time has passed many changes have been wrought.  Mrs
Clarke living to witness the remarkable development of the county and
the marvelous growth of the capital city which is today one of the
important manufacturing and industrial centers of the state.


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