BIO:  Jesse W. GRIEST, Menallen Township, Adams County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Kathy Francis

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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 475

JESSE W. GRIEST (deceased) was born June 20, 1837, in York County, Penn., a son 
of Cyrus and Mary Ann Griest, members of the Society of Friends.  He had fair 
educational advantages, being taught principally in a Friends’ school at his 
father’s house, and later he attended the Millersville Normal School.  At 
twenty-one years of age he became a partner with his father, Cyrus, in the 
nursery business.  He was twice married; first in May, 1863, to Mary Halsey 
Hollingshead, of New Jersey, and by this union there were three children:  Ella 
M. G., Esther H. and Charles H.  Mrs. Griest died in July, 1866, and Mr. Griest 
next married, in 1869, Sibbilla E. Moore.  Samuel M. Janney, a prominent member 
of the Society of Friends, and formerly superintendent of the Indian agencies, 
under the care of Friends, was personally acquainted with Mr. Griest, and 
believing him to have those sterling qualities of mind and heart that would make 
him a fitting person to fill an office of control among the Indians, recommended 
him to the Friends’ committee, and they reported his name to the President at 
Washington for nomination.  He received the appointment of Unites States Agent 
for the Otoe and Missouri Indians, in southeastern Nebraska, and entered upon 
the duties of his office in May, 1873, his place of residence and agency being 
in Gage County, Neb.  While there he erected a new agency building, a large and 
commodious schoolhouse, a mill and most of the other improvements.  The school 
grew to be popular in time, though at first the Indians were reluctant to attend 
it.  Sibbilla E. Griest, the teacher for seven years, was greatly interested in 
her work, and, to use her own words, “enjoyed the labor.”  Mr. Griest served 
four years; was reappointed and served until July, 1880, when he resigned.  His 
administration had been generally satisfactory to the Indians, and his accounts 
were promptly settled.  After his resignation he returned to his home in 
Menallen Township, where he resided until March 20, 1885, when he died of 
pneumonia, and was buried in the grave-yard near the Friends’ meetinghouse in 
Menallen Township.  After returning from Nebraska a company was organized, 
called the Kent & Bissell Cattle Company, of which he was a vice-president; was 
appointed agent to purchase cattle for the company, and for that purpose went to 
Texas in January, 1884, and bought 2,000 or 3,000 head.  Later he went to 
Wyoming, and located a ranch for their accommodation.  This company was in 
successful operation at the time of his death, but the family have since sold 
their interest in it.  The fine large brick residence, fitted with all modern 
conveniences from plans drawn by Mr. Griest, was erected in 1882.  Mr. Griest 
was an influential member of the Society of Friends, and in every community in 
which he resided was a patron of education, taking a deep interest in the 
welfare of his society.  His daughters, Ella M. G. and Esther H., were educated 
at Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, Penn.  Ella M. G. was married, December 15, 
1885, to Josiah W. Prickett, of Vincentown, N. J.; they now possess and reside 
at the home of her father.