Bruce Griggs, mate steamer Alsop, residence East Grand Forks (Grand Forks and North Dakota Manual for 1885, William L. Dudley, Plaindealer Book and Job Rooms, Grand Forks, ND, 1885)
1860 United States census records show Bruce Griggs (age 3 months) living with his parents in St. Paul, Minnesota.
1870 United States census records show Bruce Griggs (age 10) living with his parents in West St. Paul, Minnesota.
In East Grand Forks, the Northern Pacific Railroad ran a “…spur track to the (Red) river. It will strike the river near Bruce Griggs’ place, opposite the boat yard, which is the most advantageous spot that can be secured.” (Grand Forks Weekly Plaindealer, Thursday, November 11, 1886, Page 5)
Sunday afternoon about 3 o’clock the steamer Grand Forks, after having been hastily fitted up for a relief expedition (during the record Red River Flood of 1897), started down river in command of Capt. Bruce Griggs, and with Commodore Penniston in charge of the expedition. Barges were fastened to both sides of the steamer to prevent any damage from the ice to the steamer. A considerable quantity of provisions were taken on board for the relief of people who might be found short of eatables. Quite a number of row boats were taken along and a crew of men to assist in the relief work of rescuing people and stock. The citizens’ relief committee boarded the boat and the good ship was off to the rescue. Nearly a thousand people were on the bluff to see the boat off. Captain Griggs is a steamboat man of long experience, good judgment and the craft will be in good hands. (Grand Forks Daily Herald, Tuesday, April 13, 1897, Page 1)
Captain Bruce Griggs commanded the steamer Grand Forks during record flooding on the Red River of the North in late April 1897. On April 21, 1897, Captain Bruce Griggs was in Pembina, North Dakota.
1900 United States census records show Bruce A. Griggs (age 40, born in Minnesota, steamboat captain) married to Kattie E. (age 36, from Ireland). Their children were Laura B. (age 17), George H. (age 16), and Ione K. (age 10). Bruce A. and Kattie were married in 1881.
1910 United States census records show Bruce Griggs (age 50) married to Katherine E. (age 47). The couple resides in Wenatchee, Washington.
1920 United States census records show Bruce Griggs (age 59), widowed, living in Seattle, Washington.
Bruce Griggs (age 67) died in Seattle, Washington, on September 1, 1927.
GRIGGS – At 10642 19th S. W., Sept. 1, 1927, CAPT. BRUCE A. A. GRIGGS, aged 67 years, beloved husband of Sadie P. Griggs, father of George H. Griggs, Mrs. Ione Pease, Mrs. Laura Yount; brother of Mrs. Lida Connelly, Mrs. Laura Walsh; member of Bonner Lodge No. 4, I. O. O. F., of Grand Forks, No. Dak. Remains in the care of Daniels & Brinton, West Seattle Undertakers. Funeral announcements later. (Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Friday, September 2, 1927, Page 25)
I. O. O. F. ATTENTION! GRIGGS – The funeral of CAPT. BRUCE A. A. GRIGGS, member of Bonner Lodge No. 4 of Grand Forks, N. D., will be held Sunday afternoon, at 2 o’clock at Daniels & Brinton, West Seattle undertakers. Cremation. (Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Saturday, September 3, 1927, Page 23)