OLD PIONEER GONE
Death of William Griggs at the Advanced Age of Eighty-Five Years.
For Eighteen Years He Had Lived in the Cottage by the River Bank.
But Little Known to the Public – For Thirty Years Suffering From Paralysis
For eighteen years past William Griggs, father of the founder of the city of Grand Forks, has lived with his wife and the greater portion of the time their son, Bruce Griggs, and family, in a cozy cottage on the east shore of the Red River, opposite International avenue. Mr. Griggs has been but little known to the public, not only on account of his advancing age, but all these years has been an invalid. For the past year his health had been failing rapidly and for some time past been unable to leave his bed. For several days past it was evident the end was approaching, and Sunday evening (November 19, 1893) just as the shades of night were falling the death angel took the old patriarch to the mystic shore.
Mr. Griggs was born in Cuyohoga county, New York, Aug. 4, 1808. He was married in February, 1834, to Miss Esther McKibben, at Marietta, O (Ohio). They came with the early settlers to Wisconsin and lived at Cassville, until 1853, when they removed to St. Paul where they lived for twenty-two years, coming to Grand Forks in 1875. Sixteen children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Griggs, of whom the survivors are Capt. Alex. Griggs, the well known pioneer citizen of Grand Forks, now of Wenatchee, Wash,; Capt. Bruce Griggs, of East Grand Forks; William Griggs, Jr., Mrs. S. Williams, of Washington, D. C.; Mrs. Wm. Connolly, of St. Paul; Mrs. Hagerdorn, of Brainerd, Minn.; Mrs. Geo. H. Walsh, Mrs. R. W. Cutts and Mrs. Geo. Guscott, all of this city.
Forty-eight grand children and twenty great grand children also call the memory of the old patriarch blessed. His consort, “Grandma” Griggs, as she is known and loved by all, survives him, and the entire community of Grand Forks and East Grand Forks sympathizes with her and her large family of children and grand children in the death of their beloved.
The funeral takes place at 2:30 this afternoon from the Methodist church, Rev. A. McGregor officiating.
Source:
Grand Forks Daily Herald
Tuesday Morning, November 21, 1893
Volume 13, Number 18, Page 3
Death of William Griggs
Special to the Globe.
GRAND FORKS, Nov. 20. – William Griggs, father of Capt. Griggs, founder of this city, died today, aged eighty-five years. For nearly forty years he has suffered from paralysis. He was the father of sixteen children, nearly all of whom are now living; also has forty-six grandchildren and twenty great-grandchildren.
Source:
The Saint Paul Daily Globe
Tuesday Morning, November 21, 1893
Volume XV, Number 325, Page 4
GONE TO HER REWARD
Death of Grandma Griggs After a Brief Illness
After a brief illness of only a few days Mrs. Esther Griggs, known to every one in Grand Forks as Grandma Griggs, died at the residence of her son, Capt. Bruce Griggs, in East Grand Forks yesterday afternoon (April 12, 1895). A severe cold which manifested itself on Monday soon developed into serious complications, and with her enfeebled health and advanced age the progress of the disease could not be stayed. It became evident to the friends that she could not long survive. Mrs. Griggs was a native of Ohio and was 76 years of age. She came to Grand Forks with her husband, William Griggs, nearly twenty years ago, soon after her son, Capt. Alex. Griggs, located here and laid the foundations for the present city of Grand Forks. Grandpa Griggs’ death occurred two years ago. Three sons and six daughters survive Mrs. Griggs, including Capt. Alex. Griggs, of Wenatchee, Wash.; William, of Livingston; Capt. Bruce A. Griggs, of this city; Mrs. R. W. Cutts and Mrs. Geo. Guscot, of this city; Mrs. Geo. H. Walsh, of Ft. Smith, Ark.; Mrs. William, of Washington, D. C.; Mrs. Connolly, St. Paul. Grandma Griggs was a life-long and devoted Christian, endearing herself to all with whom she came in contact by her many graces. She was the first enrolled member of the Methodist church in this city when it was organized and has always been one of its most devoted members. The funeral will take place from the Methodist church Sunday afternoon at 3 o’clock, Rev. H. Witham officiating.
Source:
Grand Forks Daily Herald
Saturday Morning, April 13, 1895
Volume 14, Number 141, Page 4
1857 United States census records show William Griggs (merchant, age 49, from New York) married to Esther (age 39, from Ohio). Children on the census form are John (teamster, 20, born in Ohio), Alexander (19, born in Ohio), Susan (17, born in Ohio), Mary (15, born in Ohio), Eliza (13, born in Wisconsin), Maria (11, born in Wisconsin), William (10, born in Wisconsin), Laura (7, born in Wisconsin), and Frances (3, born in Minnesota). The family was living in St. Paul, Minnesota.
1860 United States census records show William Griggs (laborer, age 51, from New York) married to Esther (age 42, from Ohio). Children on the census form are Alexander (age 21, river pilot, born in Ohio), Maria (age 14, born in Wisconsin), William H. (age 12, born in Wisconsin), Laura J. (age 10, born in Wisconsin), Francis (age 6, born in Minnesota), and Bruce (age 3 months, born in Minnesota). The family was living in St. Paul, Minnesota.
1870 United States census records show William Griggs (plasterer, age 63) married to Esther (age 53). Children on the census form are Florence (age 15) and Bruce (age 10). The family was living in West St. Paul, Minnesota.
1880 United States census records show William Griggs (brick mason, age 72) married to Esther ( age 62). The only child listed on the census form was Bruce A. (age 21, boat pilot). The family was living in East Grand Forks, Minnesota.