Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 62

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Chicago, Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 774

USA > Illinois > Sangamon County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2 > Part 62

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spent his life there, dying January 4, 1904, and lils wife, who was boru iu Saugaiuon Couuty, March 5, 1832, died May 16, 1908. Both are buried iu Zion Cemetery.

John Thomas Greeuwalt was educated iu Crabapple College, iu Cottou Hill Township and his boyhood was spent ou his father's farm. He went to Texas in 1885 and remained there for six months, when he removed to Kausas aud stayed there until 1889. He was engaged iu farming and for oue year carried on a butcher business, but sold out and returned to Sangamon County May 6, 1889, having been rather un- successful In his undertakings. He theu rented the John Kincaid farm, and next the Willan farm, where he remained one year, theu pur- chased a farm of eight and one-half acres, on which was situated a log cabin. Four years later he sold this and bought a twenty-acre farm. Two years later he purchased seven aud oue- half acres of the Funderburk property, and still later added from time to time to his property by purchasing land from Mr. Funderburk, Al Crowder and Ed Fox, paying $6,000 for forty acres from the latter, and he now owns au ex- cellent property of 156 acres on Section 20. Mr. Greenwalt has always been a Democrat aud is now serving as Township Trustee, this being his second term. He was one of the incorpora- tors of the Zion Cemetery in 1906 and Is still serving as Secretary of that organization. He also owns stock In the State and National Bauks of Pawnee, Ill. Religiously he is connected with the Zion Methodist Episcopal Church, of Cotton Hill Township. He fraternizes with the A. F. & A. M. No. 675 of Pawnee, and the Royal Circle, his wife also being a member of the lat- ter, also a member of the Royal Neighbors, New City Camp No. 194.

Mr. Greenwalt was married in Moline, Kan., December 27, 1885, by Rev. Samuel Huntebury, to Margaret Elinor Hankiuson, who was born March 25, 1867, lu Montgomery County, Ill., daughter of Nicholas B. and Rhoda E. (Blair) Hankinson, the former boru iu Darke County, Ohio, January 28, 1833, and the latter April 6, 1840. Mr. Haukinson came to Illinois as a boy and died in Kansas in 1SS1, his wife passiug away June 24, 1877. The children boru to Mr. and Mrs. Greenwalt were as follows: Helen E., born October 2, 1889, died December 12th of that year ; Opal F., born September 2, 1887, in Moline, Kan., was married to Emnery Browu, February 30, 1909, by Rev. M. V. Hill, and has one child; Gordon E., boru December 20, 1899, of Sangamon County ; Walter H., born March 31, 1891; Loy S., born May 30, 1894; Jessie J., born June 17, 1897; Margaret E., born July 1, 1900; Elsie M., born November 5, 1903; and Nellie E., born January 4, 1908. Mr. Greenwalt is one of Sangamon County's self-made men. He has a fine home, is very popular in his neighborhood aud has a wide circle of friends and acquaintances.

GRIDER, Marshall S .- To become a successful cattle raiser it is necessary that oue should spend years of study aud observation, years of experimeutiug with breeds aud couditious, aud years wrought with failures and disappoint- ments, aud combine with this a certaiu keen insight aud a faculty to recognize the time when the proper conditious have been brought about. One of the most successful stockralsers of San- gamon Couuty, who is known throughout Cart- wright Towuship as an excellent judge of all kluds of stock, is Marshall S. Grider, who car- ries on operations ou Sectiou 34. Mr. Grider was boru withiu a mile aud oue-half of his preseut home, on a farm iu Meuard County, 111., Jąunary 23, 1865, a sou of Thompsou aud Martha (Bradley) Grider, the former a native of Keutucky aud the latter from Teuuessee, who were married iu Menard County, Ill., where their six children were born, as follows: Hat- tie, the wife of Heury Hodgius, a resident of Petersburg, Ill .; Emery, a farmer uear Gleu- arm, this couuty ; Samuel L., a farmer In Au- burn Township; Marshall S .; Charles A., who is farmlug iu Auburu Towuship; aud Nora, the wife of Heury Erickson, a farmer near Plea- sauton, Kau.

Marshall S. Grider's father died when he was but five years of age, aud oue year later his mother passed away, aud the young lad then weut to live with Audrew M. Houghtou, with whom he made his home until twenty-six years of age, meauwhile securing an educatiou iu the district schools aud being taught the business of stockraising by his euiployer, with whom he eventually weut iuto partuership. While this conuectlou was still iu force, Mr. Grider came to Sangamou County aud purchased seveuty- eight acres of land on Sectiou 34, Cartwright Towuship, aud to the little log cabin which was ou this farm he brought his wife, who was formerly Miss Lelia Wells, whom he had mar- ried March 11, 1891. She was born April 22, 1869, iu Salisbury Township, the daughter of James H. and Margaret (Sackett) Wells, the former a uative of Indiana and the latter of Saugamon Couuty, Ill. Mr. Wells died July 13, 1902, but his widow still survives and makes her home in Salisbury Township. Mr. and Mrs. Wells had five children, uamely : Mariou L., a farmer of Salisbury Towuship; Hattie E., the widow of A. B. Hohimer, residing in Chatham, Ill. ; Mary B., who married George Curran, of Springfield ; Richard R., living uear Salisbury, Ill .; and Mrs. Grider. Mr. Wells was a promi- ueut cltizen of Salisburg Township, serving several times as Supervisor, to which office he was elected on the Democratic ticket. Although a member of no especial church, he was a con- sisteut attendant of Sunday school, and In his charities was known as oue of the most gen- erous men in his community.

After thelr marriage Mr. aud Mrs. Grider located ou the little farm and began to clear away the timber, and they continued to reside

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. in the little frame building on the south end of the farm nntil 1901, when Mr. Grider erected their present modern residence, which is fitted with the latest plumbing and lighting systems, is furnished with steam heat and is one of the handsome structures of that part of the town- ship. From time to time Mr. Grider has added to his acreage, his farm now comprising 130 acres, which with his forty acres in Salisbury Township and the farm of 324 acres owned by his wife there, makes a total of 494 acres, all in the highest state of cultivation.

Mr. Grider has always been active in brecd- ing fine stock, making a specialty of short horn cattle and Duroc Jersey hogs, of which latter he ships abont 200 each year, his animals bring- ing top-notch prices in the Chicago market. Among the blooded animals to be found on his farm may be mentioned Border Buck, a fine registered stallion, 161% hands high, coal black, sired by Confident, an imported stalllon ; and a Missouri jack, named Bob Bodine, black, with wbite points, bred at Chillicothe, Mo.

Mr. and Mrs. Grider have had three children : Loren H., born August 15, 1892; Ray R., June 23, 1894; and Percy J., born Jnne 29, 1899. The boys have been given liberal educations and are now assisting in the duties of the home farm. The family are consistent members of the Richland Baptist Church. Ile is a stanch Republican in politics and has filled the office of Collector of Cartwright Township. Mr. Grider is fraternally connected with Pleasant Plains Lodge No. 770, I. O. O. F.

GRIESSER, Conrad, of Springfield, where he has lived the past ten years, was born in Wur- temburg, Germany, February 21, 1865, and is a son of Andrew and Julia F. Griesser. The father was a soldier in the German Army and fought against Napoleon in 1870-71. He died in Germany but the mother still resides there. They were parents of children as follows: Con- rad; Josephine, living in Germany; John, of Cincinnati, Ohio. Mr. Griesser learned fores- try in Germany and became a forester under the Government.

The education of Conrad Griesser was ob- tained in his native country, and at the age of fourteen years he left school. He learned the trade of brewer, which he has followed most of his life. and in 1886, came to the United States. He landed in New York, and soon afterwards, went to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he obtained a position as assistant brew master, and held it fifteen years. In 1898, he took a course at Wahl and Henins Brewing academy, at Cbi- cago, returned to bis position in Cincinnati, and in 1900, came to Springfield as brew master for the Reisch Brewing Company, which position he still holds. He has expert knowledge, abil- ity and experience in his line and is an honest, reliable citizen. He is a member of the Roman Catholic Church and politically votes for the men and measures he considers for the general good of the people.

Mr. Griesser was married in Cincinnati, Ohio, May 5, 1892, to Miss Pauline Cetjock, who was born in Germany and came to the United States at the age of fifteen years. Two children bave blessed this union, namely, Hilda and Frank, who has learned the trade of brewing with his father. Mr. Griesser has a very pretty home on East Miller Street.

GRIFFIN, Mrs. Mary .- A number of the prop- erty `owners of Springfield belong to the sex which does not have a vote, for many of them are women. However, although they have no voice in the management of public affairs, these women exert a powerful influence for good, and are a very important factor in the life of the city. Many of them give largely and generously to charities; otbers devote themselves to their homes and families, but all of them are good, earnest women, whose highest desire is to bet- ter humanity and make their wealth work for the best purposes. Among those who are ac- complisbing so much, is Mrs. Mary Griffin, a widow, daughter of John Mahoney, long one of the solid, reliable men of Springfield. Mrs. Griffin was born in that city, March 15, 1873, daughter of John and Mary (Pendergast) Mahoney. Mr. Mahoney is a contracting brick- layer, and is connected with much of the build- ing of the city. Both he and his wife are na- tives of Ireland, who came to Springfield many years ago, and have become identified with its interests. They have lived there for at least forty years.

After school days spent in St. Joseph's School and high school of Springfield, Mrs. Griffin took up the dressmaking and millinery business, in which she was very successful. Her marriage occurred in St. Joseph's Catholic Church, of Springfield, in November, 1899, when she was united with Mr. Griffin. Mr. Griffin was a Re- publican in political faith and belonged to the Catholic Church, as does Mrs. Griffin. Mr. Griffin was a member of the Modern Woodmen, and also belonged to the Foresters and Carpen- ters' Union. Mrs. Griffin is proud of the fact that lier father served as a soldier in the Civil War. She is a good churchwoman, energetic in religious work, and is a valued member of any circle she sees fit to join. She is a member of tbe Catholic Churchi.

GRIFFITH, Benjamin M., M. D .- It is not the purpose of biography to give a man's modest estimate of himself, but rather to establish his character by the consensus of public opinion, for the public is a discriminating factor. readily determining between the true and the false, the real and the baser metal. Viewed tbrongh the medinm of public opinion, then, the life and work of Dr. Benjamin M. Griffith stands out prominently upon the pages of Springfield's his- tory. He was a man whom to know was to re- spect and honor and he left the impress of his individuality for good upon the great majority of those with whom he came into contact, be-

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cause of an upright life devoted to the wel- fare of his fellow men, morally as well as physically.

On the Griffith farm, near Shelbyville, Ky., April 14, 1831, the Doctor was horn, and he ac- quired his literary education in the public schools and Woods Academy at Lonisiana, Mo., under Professors Woods and Ash. He then be- gan the study of medicine uner Drs. Bartlett and Pinkney, of that place, and subsequently en- tered the St. Louis Medical College, in 1858, diligently applying himself to the mastery of those branches of learning forming the college curriculum. At a class meeting he was chosen to formally present to the faculty and managers of St. Louis Medical College, a portrait of Prof. M. M. Pallen, as a token of gratitude to their alma mater; and on the completion of the conrse in 1859 he was gradnated with valedic- torian honors of his class, numbering 170 mem- bers.

As an under graduate Dr, Griffith began practice at Rockport, Ill., in 1854, but after leav- ing college returned to Louisiana, Mo., where he opened an office and continned in practice for six years, when in 1865 he moved to Springfield, Ill., and was for a third of a century a distin- guished member of the medical fraternity of that city. He was spoken of as an "ideal fam- ily physician," and well he might be so called, for he possessed not only marked skill in the line of his profession, but also a ready sympathy and kindly interest in his patients, and his cheery presence in the sick room was like a ray of sun- shine, breathing of nope and promise. As a conscientious physician he was never found wanting when his services were needed in char- ity, and though his patronage came largely fromn the best families of Springfield, no home was too humble, no family too destitute, to receive the professional aid of Dr. Griffith when it was needed. A deep and earnest student through- out his professional career, he continned his reading an investigations, an kept abreast with the foremost thinkers of the medical fraternity. In 1892 he was appointed consulting physician of the St. John's Hospital and was, throughont the remainder of his life connected with the in- stitution, being the head of the staff at the time of his death. An honored and valued member of the Illinols Central District Medical Society, he was always loyal to its interests, contributed many valnable papers to its meetings and served as its president. He firmly believed in the dis- semination of knowledge concerning the laws of health and the nses of remedial agencies, and was always glad to assist a younger member of the profession hy advise which was the ontcome of years of experience and investigation on his part. At the time of his death he was the sec- ond oldest physician in the city, but through a long period he had malntained a position second to none in skill. Becoming a member of the State Medical Society, he gave to it the same unwavering allegiance which marked his connec- tion with the District Society and carefully

watched its interests and workings for science, truth and humanity, presiding for some years over the organization as its President. He had a deep and sincere interest in his work, arising not from a desire for its pecuniary rewards, but because of his unbounded sympathy and desire to be of benefit to his fellow men.

Dr. Griffith was intimately associated with Dr. John H. Ranch in organizing the Illinois State Board of Health, and although a Demo- crat, was appointed by a Republican, Governor Fifer, naming him for the position in 1890, while Governor Altgeld reappointed him in 1894. In 1893 he served as its Treasurer, in 1895 was its President, and in the following year he resigned his position. He was President of the City Board of Health in 1880, and during that time advised and presented plans for improving the sanitary condition of the city. He gave mnuch at- tention to the study of sanitation and was re- garded as an authority on such matters. lle suggested a currienlum of study for colleges es- pecially arranged for students contemplating the study of medicine, and advocated this until its adoption in 1891, and as Secretary of the Na- tional Confederation of Examining & Licensing Boards, he made a concise but far-reaching and conclusive report to the American Medical Asso- ciation, of which he was a member, when it met in Atlanta, Ga., in 1896. This was his last public work. Of the Illinois Auxiliary Sanitary Asso- ciation he was a helpful member, his advice and counsel being of much value.

On the 1st of June, 1859, following his gradn- ation, Dr. Griffith was married in Springfield, Ill., at the home of her cousin, Col. James A. Barrett, to Miss Alice A. McElroy, and for al- most forty years they travelled life's journey happily together. The Doctor is survived by his wife and two children. The daughter, Eloise, is the wife of Dr. T. J. Pitner, of Jacksonville, Ill., and the son, Dr. B. B. Griffith, a graduate of Rush Medical College, Chicago, of the class of 1882, and of the College of Phsyicians & Sur- geons of New York, of the class of 1885, is now a successful practitioner of Springfield, occupy- ing the office which was his father's, and is also his father's snecessor at St. John's Hospital.

While Dr. Griffith mnade the practice of inedi- cine his real life work, he yet fonnd time to de- vote to the welfare of the city, meeting fully every obligation of citizenship and laboring ef- fectively for the general good. He was actively interested in intellectual development in Spring- field, and was a member of the first local Board of Education in the city, being appointed by Mayor Broadwell in 1869, served for seven years and during that period was largely instrumental in establishing a high school system which has proved a credit to the city. He was a charter inember and for six years the honored President of the Authors' Club, which was organized in 1882, and for six or seven consecutive years his hospitable home was its meeting place. The success of the club from the beginning was largely due to his nutiring efforts in its behalf.

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His kindly conrtesy won all hearts and made the meetlugs of the club important events in the social life of Springfield, while his papers were prepared with painstaking care after thorough research, displayed marked literary ability, and were greatly enjoyed and appreciated by the club members. Dr. Griffithi also belonged to the Ma- sonle fraternity and was a Sir Knight, who exemplified in his life the beneficent and broth- erly spirit of the order. One who knew him well said of him: "He was one of the hest of men, at all times a gentleman, a man of ednca- tion and principle; a well informed and enter- taining conversationalist; of excellent hahits and a hard worker; a good father and loving husband. He had a social nature as warm and genial as spring sunshine. A man of sterling worth, dignified bearing and inflexible integrity, he endeavored, in an nnpretentious manner, to leave upon others the impress of his own char- acter and to reveal, by a true life, the power of nohle manhood." He died at his home In Springfield, September 24, 1898, hut his life la- hors will benefit mankind for many years to come, and the memory of his career will long linger as an influence for good. Vita pulchra nobilisque, Deo ct humanitati.

Dr. Griffith's father, Nicholas Howard Griffith, helonged to the Tenth Regiment Missouri Vol- unteers, 1861-65, his grandfather was Mordecai Griffith 'of Baltimore, Md. His mother, Sarah M. (Parish) Griffith, was the granddaughter of Colonel Harlow, a pioneer of Kentucky and an officer in the Revolution. His father's unele. Prof. Dorsey. of Baltimore, and his consin, Prof. Dorsey of Philadelphia, were hoth eminent phy- sicians and anthority on medical questions.

GRIFFITH, Mrs. Alice A. (McElroy), daughter of William Irvine and Jane (Muldrow), McEl- roy, was horn near Palmyra, Mo., September 20, 1831. Her early life was spent on a big prairie farm near Perry, Mo., where inherited colored people did the planting, plowing, mowing, etc. Her father died before she was sixteen years old and she began the individual struggle for preparation to teach school, in which, with no libraries, indifferent conntry schools and few people of culture, her progress was unsatisfac- tory and slow. However, relief soon came from Illinois ; her consin, Col. James A. Barrett, who afterwards raised the Tenth Illinois Cavalry for the Civil War, made her a proposition to pay all expenses if she would become a student of the Illlnols Woman's College, at Jacksonville. This she gladly accepted.

As a green country girl she came to Spring- field, Ill., in 1850. Soon afterward an Invitation was received by her cousin's family, in which she was included, to a large reception given by Major and Mrs. John T. Stuart. It was an em- barrassing compliment, as she was conscions of her ignorance of all society customs and regn- lations, yet she accepted it and attended. As she stood in the large parlors, surrounded by

beautiful women In silks and satins, laces and jewels, trembling in her boots for fear she would say something out of place or hear a re- sponse that she did not understand, Mr. Lin- coln came to them and very cordially spoke to her consin, as they had been yonng men together. Mr. Barret said, "Lincoln, this is a little pro- tege I found over in Missouri, and I'm going to put her in onr new college in Jacksonville." Her name was not mentioned In the introduc- tion, but as she looked np into the face of that tall man with deep searching and questioning gray eyes, she was mesmerized, as it were, feel- ing that he read her character and thoughts. He did not speak for five or ten minutes, and then hegan to talk of schools, teachers and school work, which brought her a restful in- dependence with pleasure and benefit by a half honr talk.

As a student in the Illinois Women's College under the tutelage of the cultured and efficient President, Rev. J. F. Jagness, she did good work, gradnating July, 1852, as salutatorian of the first class to graduate from the college. Af- ter leaving college she taught in Woods Acad- emy, Lonislana, Mo., for four years, and studied Latin and German one year in Fayette, Mo., un- der President Lucky. Again she tanght two years in Collinsville, Ill., with Dr. Samuel Wil- lard and Dr. Merrill. June 1, 1859, she was married to Dr. B. M. Griffith, a practicing phy- sician in Louisiana, Mo. In 1865, just two weeks before Mr. Lincoln was assassinated, they moved to Springfield, Ill., where the Griffith home Is today.

Having received a religious education in child- hood, she has, through life, been interested in Home and Forelgn Missions in connection with the Preshyteriain Church. She has heen Re- cording Secretary for the Local Society, in the Presbyterial Society and in the Synodical So- ciety, in all recording about eighty years' sery- Ice. Mrs. Griffith has always led an active life. She is a charter member of the Anthors' Club of 1882; Is a member of the Bible Class, the Via Christi Study Class, the State Historical Society, the Y. W. C. A., the Alumnae Associa- tion of the Woman's College and the Woman's Club.

She enjoys recreation in the parks with her kodak and friends. In late years she takes great pleasure in making serap-books of clip- pings collected from newspapers, classified as Home, Literature, Science, Religion, Politics, etc .; she pastes them on leaves in book-form and has them bound. She typewrites an index and short preface with each volume. The Home volumes especially always awaken an interest to family and friends, as they review the events of individual interest of the long ago.

The loving Lord gives grace and strength, For all the duties of Life;

If we ask in faith with true Intent, He abrogates all strife.

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GRIFFITH, Ben Barrett, M. D .- Among those who devote their time and euergies to the prac- tice of medicine and have gained a leading place in the ranks of the profession is Dr. B. B. Grif- fith. Since 1885 he has been in active practice in Springfield, and his skill and ability are at- tested by the liberal patronage he enjoys. Dr. Griffith was boru iu Louisiana, Mo., on the 17th of September, 1861, a sou of the late Dr. B. M. Griffith, who is represented elsewhere in this work. The subject of this sketch was priuci- pally reared and educated iu Springfield, beiug there graduated at the High School, June 14, 1878. During the following two years he took a post-graduate course preparatory to eutering the medical college, and for one year was a student at Aun Arbor, Mich. He then entered Rush Medical College, Chicago, where he was graduated in 1882, and after two years spent in his father's office, matriculated at the New York College of Physicians & Surgeons, graduating from that institution with the class of 1885. He thien returned to his home in Springfield and was associated in practice with his father until the death of the latter; since which time he has been in practice alone. Success has attended his efforts and he eujoys a large aud lucrative pat- ronage in his profession.

As a progressive physician, Dr. Griffith keeps well informed on the latest discoveries and the- ories known to the science, and is a member of the State Medical Society, the Sangamon County Medical Society, the Central Illinois District Medical Society and the American Medical As- sociation. For fourteen years he was a member of the City Board of Health, and for eighteen years has been on the staff of the St. John's Hospital. He stands high in the esteem of his professional brethren. Socially the Doctor is cil and Commandery of the Masonic Order, and also belongs to the Knights of Pythias fra- ternity. As a member of the Illinois National Guard, he twice saw active service, once in East St. Louis and once iu Chicago during the riots, first with the Fifth Regiment and later with the Second Brigade.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 62

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913 Publication date: 1912 Publisher: Chicago, Munsell Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 774

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Chicago, Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 774