BIO:  Cyrus S. GRIEST, Butler Township, Adams County, PA

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History of Cumberland and Adams Counties, Pennsylvania
Chicago:  Warner, Beers & Co., 1886
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Part III, History of Adams County, Page 384

CYRUS S. GRIEST, farmer, P.O. Guernsey, was born in York County, Penn., in 1835, 
a son of Cyrus and Mary Ann (Cook) Griest, natives of York County, Penn., who 
settled in Menallen Township in 1839, and there passed the balance of their 
lives.  Nine children were born to them, seven of whom are living:  Hiram, 
George M. (deceased), Jane, wife of William Whitson; Ann M., Cyrus S., Jesse W. 
(deceased), who was Indian agent seven years in Nebraska; Maria E., wife of 
Charles J. Tyson; Lizzie, wife of Andrew Koser, and Amos W.  Cyrus Griest, Sr., 
died in 1869, aged sixty-eight years.  Mary Ann Griest (his wife) died in 1884, 
aged seventy-seven.  Both were members of the Society of Friends.  Cyrus, Sr., 
was a son of Willing and Ann (McMillen) Griest, natives of York county.  Willing 
was a son of Willing, Sr., who was the first white male child born in 
Wilmington, Del., then Willingston, and for which he was named.  The early 
ancestors of the family came from Ireland, and as far back as the knowledge of 
them extends they belonged to the Society of Friends.  Cyrus S., our subject, 
was partially educated by private instruction at home, in addition to public 
school instruction, supplemented by a course in the Academy at London Grove, 
Chester Co., Penn.  In 1861 he married Miss Letitia daughter of John Broomell, 
of Chester County, Penn.  A year later he purchased his present farm, which has 
since been his home, with the exception of two years, during which he resided in 
Gettysburg.  His farm consists of 136 acres of well improved land.  In 1885 he 
completed a modern creamery at Sunnyside, the first one in the county.  He keeps 
the most profitable grades of stock, having a fine herd of Guernsey cows.  To 
Mr. and Mrs. Griest have been born seven children, all living:  E. Belle, Mary 
E., Florence, Lizzie, George, C. Arthur, Maurice.  The eldest three are 
graduates of the West Chester Normal School, and rank high as teachers.  To the 
cause of education Mr. Griest is devotedly attached.  He and his wife are 
birthright members of the Society of Friends.  On his entrance into business his 
capital consisted on $800, and he incurred a debt of $5,000, which has long 
since disappeared.  The improvements he has made have cost him more than as much 
as the purchase price of the farm.  Mr. Griest is one of the few who have never 
tasted whisky nor tobacco in any form.