Surname List
Name Index
Email Us
Fourth Generation
8. 
Clarence Lucius GRIGGS (*) (~) was born on 15 August 1856 in Barre Township, La Crosse County, WI. Bernice Griggs' Notes: "Clarence Lucius Griggs was a drug clerk (at his father's drug store), a farmer on the family homestead, and a rural mail carrier on the present Routes 1 and 2 in Tomah, for 26 years."
Gary Griggs has his daily prayer book entitled "Daily Food for Christians." The book is undated, but probably was printed in the 1880's. He also has Clarence's "Hymns for the use of the Methodist Episcopal Church," which has the inscription "Book presented by his brother Osmon." The book was printed in 1868 and Osmon died in 1877, so the book was probably given to Clarence in the early-1870's. He appeared in the census in 1860 in Barre Township, La Crosse County, WI. He appeared in the census in 1870 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI. Clarence appeared in the census in 1875 in Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI. He was living with his parents. He appeared in the census in 1880 in La Grange Township, Monroe County, WI. He was living at the home of his father and his occupation was "Farmer." Between 1881 and 1919 he was a farmer in La Grange Township, Monroe County, WI. Until the Spring of 1884, he lived with his father, Lucius, and helped his father on his 160-acre farm at the intersections of Highways 12 and 21, north of Tomah (the southeast corner of Section 21). On June 16, 1898, after his father had died, a Quit-Claim Deed was issued to him by his step-mother, Kate Gilmore Griggs, and his sister, Florence. The deed was "Subject to the terms and conditions of a certain mortgage of even date herewith, securing the payment of certain annuities and legacies payable according to the terms of the last will and testament of Lucius S. Griggs, deceased."
On July 9, 1910, Clarence and his wife, Carrie Griswold Griggs, issued a deed that transferred ownership of the 160-acre farm in Section 21 as well as a 20-acre farm in the northwest corner of Section 22 to Martha Watrous Griswold, Carrie's mother. The purpose of this transaction is not known because two days later, on July 11, 1910, Martha deeded the properties back to Clarence and Carrie.
On September 29, 1919, Clarence and Carrie deeded the 160-acre farm to their daughter Mattie and her husband, Rollie Vandervort.
(The 20-acre property, which was located about 1/4 mile north of the main farm, was apparently purchased in 1884 by Clarence's father, but was listed on a plat in 1897 as being owned by Clarence Griggs.)
Gary Griggs has a picture of the family "raising" a new barn in 1904 at the location of his father's main farm. Among those pictured rebuilding the barn were Clarence, Carrie, and their children, Ben, Mattie, Mabel, Clare and Carroll. The barn was destroyed in a windstorm in 1911 and later re-built. Clarence appeared in the census in 1885 in La Grange Township, Monroe County, WI. He and his wife and sons Sam and Ben were living in his father's household. He appeared in the census in 1895 in La Grange Township, Monroe County, WI. His household consisted of 4 males and 3 females; their given names were not listed in the Census, but the 4 males were Clarence and his sons, Samuel, Lucius, and Clare; the 3 females were Carrie and their daughters Mattie and Mabel. He appeared in the census in 1900 in La Grange Township, Monroe County, WI. His household consisted of himself, his wife, Carrie, and their six children. His occupation was "Farming."
From a Tomah Monitor-Herald Newspaper Article, dated July 7, 1911: " About 5 o'clock on the afternoon of July 4th, a wind and rain storm hit this section of the country that was near cyclonic. A large number of trees were uprooted and several buildings north of the city were blown down or off their foundations, and very much damage was done to the grain which was laid flat. The large barn of C. L. Griggs was completely destroyed, and the barn on the Finucan farm northwest of the city nearly completed, was demolished. In the city, nearly every July 4th stand was blown down, and the central school building struck by lightning had considerable damage." Clarence appeared in the census in 1905 in La Grange Township, Monroe County, WI. His occupation was "Farmer." He appeared in the census in 1910 in La Grange Township, Monroe County, WI. His occupation was listed as "Mail Carrier, RFD Route."
According to a letter that he wrote on May 13, 1911 to Roxana Liscomb Griggs, the wife of his father's brother, Roswell, "I am still on the R.F.D. route. Don't know how long I shall continue at it." He appeared in the census in 1920 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI. His household (at 1308 Stoughton Avenue) consisted of Clarence, age 63; his wife, Carrie, age 61; their daughter, Mabel Koopman (then a widow), age 30; and Mabel's children, Merle, age 6; Mildred, age 5; Milo, age 3 4/12; and Lucille, age 2 4/12.
A detailed search of the 1930 Census failed to locate Clarence and Carrie, as their home at 1308 Stoughton Avenue was not listed in the census records. The census enumerator included neighboring homes in their block at 1312, 1314, 1316 and 1320, as well as homes across the street at 1301, 1303 and 1305 Stoughton. But, for some reason, she did not include 1308. It is possible that Clarence was very ill at the time of the census, and the enumerator simply skipped the household.
It is believed that their grandchildren, Blanche, Glenn and LaVerne Griggs, were living with them at that time, as they also cannot be located in the 1930 Census. Clarence died on 28 July 1931 at the age of 74 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI. Obituary Notes: "Clarence Lucius Griggs, life-long resident of this community, passed away early Tuesday morning after a long illness. He had been bed-ridden for a number of years.
Mr. Griggs was born at Barre, La Crosse county, on August 15, 1856, and at the age of nine years came to this community with his parents. He has made his home here since.
In 1880, he was united in marriage with Miss Carrie Griswold in the Town of Wilton. Six children were born to them, four of whom are living. Those surviving are his wife, two sons, Sam of Kirby and Claire of Tomah; two daughters, Mrs. Mattie Vandervort, Tomah, and Mrs. Mabel Thompson, New Lisbon; and 18 grandchildren.
Mr. Griggs operated a farm until 11 years ago, when failing health compelled him to give up this occupation and he moved to Tomah. He was member of the Woodmen and Mystic Workers lodges and the Methodist Episcopal church.
Funeral services will be conducted from the Methodist church on Saturday afternoon at 2:00 o'clock, Rev. Wm. F. Schuelke officiating. Burial will be made in Oak Grove Cemetery."
Bernice Griggs' Notes: "He suffered from arthritis, hardening of arteries, exhaustion and deforming rheumatism. He died of a stroke while living at 1308 Stoughton Avenue." He was buried on 1 August 1931 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI. in the Oak Grove Cemetery (First Addition, Block 2, Lot 14).
Carrie Permelia GRISWOLD (*) and Clarence Lucius GRIGGS (*) (~) were married on 25 November 1880 in Wilton Township, Monroe County, WI. Their witnesses were G. D. Bigelow and Florence Bigelow, Clarence's twin sister and her husband. Their minister was Joel Brown.
She would become to be known in the family as "Goody Grandma."
9. 
Carrie Permelia GRISWOLD (*) was born on 15 September 1858 in Ridgeville Township, Monroe County, WI. (Her father's Department of the Interior pension application lists her birth date as 15 Sep 1859. Her gravestone also lists her year of birth as 1859. Other family notes list the year as 1858.)
(In some family records, her middle name is listed as "Pamelia." However, it is listed as "Permelia" in the Benjamin Thwing family tree on the Internet, and Permelia was the name of her father's sister; so it is very likely that it was Permelia. Martha Thwing was her great-great-grandmother on her mother's side.) She appeared in the census in 1860 in Ridgeville Township, Monroe County, WI. She appeared in the census in 1870 in Wilton Township, Monroe County, WI. Carrie appeared in the census in 1875 in Wilton Township, Monroe County, WI. She appeared in the census in 1880 in Wilton Township, Monroe County, WI. She was living with her parents.
In his book, Hiram Griswold (a brother of her father) includes a letter that Carrie wrote to him dated July 15, 1878, in which she states "I have given up the idea of getting married, as I shall have you to take care of." The book also includes a letter that he wrote to her on July 4, 1908, in which he mentions his visits to Ridgeville, and his disagreements with Carrie's father.
Carrie had an autograph book that contained messages from many friends and relatives, with most of them written between October 1879 and mid-1882, after her marriage. A message from her mother said: "There's a morning full of brightness, For every night of pain. There's a sunbeam for each shadow, And for every loss some gain. There's a smile for every tear drop, And mirth for each heart sigh, True joy for each dark sorrow, All coming by and by." She appeared in the census in 1885 in La Grange Township, Monroe County, WI. Carrie appeared in the census in 1895 in La Grange Township, Monroe County, WI. She appeared in the census in 1900 in La Grange Township, Monroe County, WI. She was living with her husband and six children. She appeared in the census in 1905 in La Grange Township, Monroe County, WI. Carrie appeared in the census in 1910 in La Grange Township, Monroe County, WI. She was living with her husband and six children. She appeared in the census in 1920 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI. (She and her husband were not listed in the 1930 Census. Many neighboring homes on Stoughton Avenue were included, so it is probable that the census enumerator skipped their home. Her husband had been ill for about two years before he died in 1931, so it is possible that sickness prevented the enumerator from visiting their home.
It is believed that the children of her son Sam--Blanche, Glenn and LaVerne--were living with Carrie and Clarence at that time, because they were not listed with Sam and his second wife, Anne. Nor can they be found elsewhere in the 1930 Census.) She died on 7 November 1936 at the age of 78 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI. Obituary Notes: "Mrs. Carrie Griggs passed away at her home (1308 Stoughton Avenue) Saturday morning at the age of 78 years, 1 month and 14 days. She was born at Ridgeville, Wis., September 15, 1858, and resided there with her parents, Samuel and Martha Griswold, until her marriage to Clarence Griggs.
Six children, four sons and two daughters, were born to this union. Mr. Griggs and three sons, Samuel, Lucius, and Carroll, preceded her in death. The surviving children are: Mrs. Mattie Vandervort, Mrs. Mabel Thompson, and Claire, all of Tomah. She also leaves to mourn her passing, 19 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Griggs was a lifelong member of the Methodist Episcopal church and a faithful worker as long as her health permitted. She was also a member of the W. R. C. She was a good neighbor and loyal to the H. B. T., of which she was a charter member.
Funeral services were conducted at her home and at the Methodist Episcopal Church on Tuesday, November 10, 1936. The Rev. Robert Johnson officiated. Interment took place at Oak Grove Cemetery."
(Note: With her birth date of September 15, 1858, that would have meant that she died on October 29, 1936. Notes of Bernice Griggs and Lyle Griggs indicate that 'she died of a stroke on November 7, 1936,' so her obituary may have miscalculated her exact age.) Carrie was buried on 10 November 1936 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI. in the Oak Grove Cemetery (First Addition, Block 2, Lot 14).
Children were:
4 | i. | Samuel Hiram "Sam" GRIGGS (*) (~). |
ii. |  Lucius Adelbert "Ben" GRIGGS (~) was born on 4 July 1883 in Wilton Township, Monroe County, WI. His given name was that of his paternal grandfather, Lucius Smith Griggs. His middle name was that of his mother's brother, Luen Adelbert Griswold. He appeared in the census in 1885 in La Grange Township, Monroe County, WI. He appeared in the census in 1895 in La Grange Township, Monroe County, WI. Ben appeared in the census in 1900 in La Grange Township, Monroe County, WI. He was living with his parents and his occupation was "Farm Laborer." He appeared in the census in 1905 in La Grange Township, Monroe County, WI. He was living with his parents and his occupation was "Farmer." He lived at his home in Duluth, St. Louis County, MN in December 1907. A letter from his aunt Florence mentions that "Lucius has gone to Duluth to try the world for himself." His oldest brother, Sam, had worked there as a streetcar conductor a few years earlier. Ben appeared in the census in 1910 in La Grange Township, Monroe County, WI. He was living with his parents and his occupation was listed as "Farmer." He died on 21 November 1913 at the age of 30 in La Grange Township, Monroe County, WI. Obituary Notes: "Mr. Ben Griggs, son of Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Griggs, died at the home in the town of LaGrange on Friday morning, Nov. 21, 1913, after a short illness from blood poisoning, resulting from an ulcerated tooth or an abscess of the jaw. His death was a sad shock to relatives and friends, as he was a young man of strong and vigorous physique and was in perfect health until shortly before his death. The trouble, which began two or three weeks previously, developed steadily and all efforts of dentists and physicians to relieve him proved unavailing. The last week was one of great suffering for the young man, until death relieved him last Friday morning. Deceased was born in the town of Wilton July 4, 1883, and was therefore just past 30 years of age. He never married, and made his home with his parents, having had charge of the farm north of Tomah for some time past. He had a large circle of friends and was very popular among the young people of the city and vicinity. His untimely death will be mourned by all who knew him, both young and old. He was known for his cheery voice and happy smile. He was a very active member of the Order of Mystic Workers. The funeral took place Monday afternoon at 1 o'clock at the farm home (of Roll and Mattie Vandervort), the Rev. L. E. Hoisington of the Methodist Episcopal church officiating. The attendance was very large, and many beautiful floral tributes attested the regard in which the deceased was held. The long funeral procession passed through the city on its way to Oak Grove Cemetery, where the interment was made."
| |
iii. |  Martha Cordelia "Mattie" GRIGGS (~) was born on 13 July 1885 in La Grange Township, Monroe County, WI. (It is believed that her given name was Martha--the name of her maternal grandmother, Martha Jane Griswold. Her middle name was the same as that of her paternal grandmother, Rachel Cordelia Richardson Griggs.)(She is second from the right in the picture. From the left are her sister, Mabel (Griggs) Koopman; her maternal grandmother, Martha Jane (Watrous) Griswold; and her mother, Carrie Permelia (Griswold) Griggs. Standing in front is Mattie's oldest son, Dale. This picture was taken about 1911 at the first farm home of Roll and Mattie in LaGrange Township. Their 80-acre farm was located in the southwest corner of Section 21, about 1/4 mile west of the 160-acre farm of Lucius Smith Griggs, which they eventually owned.) She appeared in the census in 1895 in La Grange Township, Monroe County, WI. She appeared in the census in 1900 in La Grange Township, Monroe County, WI. Mattie appeared in the census in 1905 in La Grange Township, Monroe County, WI. She was living with her parents and her occupation was "Student." The Tomah Journal, in an article dated 9 November 1906, tells about a trip that Mattie took to Minnesota. She appeared in the census in 1910 in La Grange Township, Monroe County, WI. She appeared in the census in 1920 in La Grange Township, Monroe County, WI. Mattie appeared in the census in 1930 in La Grange Township, Monroe County, WI. She appeared in the census in 1940 in La Grange Township, Monroe County, WI. She appeared in the census in 1950 in La Grange Township, Monroe County, WI. Mattie died on 30 January 1963 at the age of 77 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI. Obituary Notes: "On January 30, 1963, following a lingering illness, Mrs. Rollie Vandervort passed away at the Tomah Memorial Hospital. She was born on July 13, 1885, to Clarence Lucius and Carrie Griswold Griggs in the town of LaGrange. On January 26, 1908 she was united in marriage to Rollie Vandervort. Four brothers and one sister preceded her in death. Mattie spent her entire life in the North Tomah area. She will be remembered by many for the care given to the sick and the nursing of the newborn, as assistant to the late Dr. Cremer. Survivors are her husband, Rollie; Mr. and Mrs. Arthur (Helen) Borchardt of Milwaukee; Mr. and Mrs. Roland (Freda) Clay, Tomah; Mr. and Mrs. Erwin (Willeene) Vroman, Milwaukee; Mr. and Mrs. Fred Vandervort, Milwaukee; and Mrs. Dale (Esther) Vandervort, Racine; and 16 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren. One son and three grandsons preceded her in death. The funeral services were conducted from the Methodist church on February 2, 1963, with Rev. Thomas Jarrell officiating. White's Funeral Home took care of arrangements. Interment was in the LaGrange Cemetery." | |
iv. |  May Isabell "Mabel" GRIGGS (~) was born on 1 May 1889 in La Grange Township, Monroe County, WI. (In a letter to his cousin, Elton Griggs, on 31 December 1918, her father, Clarence, states: "Her name is May Isabell and we called her Maybell for short." Other sources spell her name as "Mae Isabelle." She apparently shortened it to "Mabel." She appeared in the census in 1895 in La Grange Township, Monroe County, WI. She appeared in the census in 1900 in La Grange Township, Monroe County, WI. Mabel appeared in the census in 1905 in La Grange Township, Monroe County, WI. Her occupation was "Student." She appeared in the census in 1910 in La Grange Township, Monroe County, WI. She was living with her parents. She appeared in the census in 1920 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI. She and her children were living in the household of her parents at 1308 Stoughton Avenue. Between 1925 and 1929 Mabel was a restaurant and boarding house operator in Adams, Adams Township, Adams County, WI. Her restaurant was named "The Daisy Eat Shop." She appeared in the census in April 1930 in New Lisbon, Juneau County, WI. Her household consisted of her children, Merle, Mildred, Milo and Lucille Koopman. She was listed as Mabel Thompson, a "Widow," with an occupation of "Housekeeper." They lived on Pearl Street. She lived at her home in New Lisbon, Juneau County, WI in July 1931. Her father's obituary listed her as "Mrs. Mabel Thompson, New Lisbon." Mabel lived at her home in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI in November 1936. Her mother's obituary listed as her as "Mrs. Mabel Thompson," living in Tomah. She lived in Milwaukee, Milwaukee Township, Milwaukee County, WI in April 1938. A letter dated 21 April 1938 that she wrote to her cousin Elton Griggs listed her return address as "2903 W. Mich St., Aprt 1, Milwaukee, Wis." She listed her name as "Mrs. Mabel Koopman." She lived at her home in Milwaukee, Milwaukee Township, Milwaukee County, WI in November 1939. Gary Griggs has a copy of a letter that she wrote to her cousin Blanche Griggs in October 1939, as well as a letter that she wrote to her cousin Elton Griggs in Missouri in November 1939. The return address on the envelopes was 737 South 34th Street.(She cannot be located in the 1940 Census.) Mabel died of cancer of the lymph glands on 15 February 1949 at the age of 59 in West Allis, Milwaukee County, WI. Obituary Notes: "Mrs. Mabel Griggs Koopman was born in the Town of LaGrange, Monroe County, Wis., May 1, 1889, daughter of Clarence and Carrie Griggs. She passed away at the home of her eldest daughter, Mrs. Ignis Mack, in Milwaukee, Wis., on Feb. 15, 1949, at the age of 59 years. She was united in marriage to Edward Henry Koopman in April 1912. To this union four children were born: Merle E. of Tomah, Mrs. Ignis (Mildred) Mack of Milwaukee, Milo R. of Eagle, and Mrs. Gordon (Lucille) Reisenauer of Milwaukee. (Note: Her marriage to Floyd Thompson was not mentioned.) She was preceded in death by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Griggs, four brothers, Ben, Carrol, Sam and Claire Griggs, and her husband, Edward Koopman. She is survived by her four children, seven grandchildren and her only sister, Mrs. Rollie Vandervort. She lived in and around Tomah until 1937 when she went to Milwaukee, where she resided until the time of her death. Funeral services were held at the Methodist Church at 3 P.M. on Friday, February 18, the Rev. C. Kilde officiating. Burial was in the Oak Grove Cemetery beside her husband, who preceded her in death on Dec. 2, 1918." Note: She was also survived by a fifth child, Marge Rettammel Crawford, whose birth father is believed to have been Floyd Thompson, although they did not marry until two years after the birth of Marge. Marge was adopted and raised by Edward and Eva Rettammel. She was buried on 18 February 1949 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI. in the Oak Grove Cemetery. | |
v. |  Clare Luen GRIGGS Sr. (~) was born on 10 July 1894 in La Grange Township, Monroe County, WI. He appeared in the census in 1895 in La Grange Township, Monroe County, WI. He appeared in the census in 1900 in La Grange Township, Monroe County, WI. Clare appeared in the census in 1905 in La Grange Township, Monroe County, WI. He appeared in the census in 1910 in La Grange Township, Monroe County, WI. He was living with his parents. In 1914 he was a mail carrier in La Grange Township, Monroe County, WI. (The birth certificate of his oldest daughter, Elva, listed his occupation as "mail carrier.") He registered for the Military Draft on 25 June 1917 in Wyeville, Byron Township, Monroe County, WI. His occupation was "Box Packer, Round House" and his description was "Tall, slender build, blue eyes and medium brown hair." He was living in Wyeville at the time, and worked for the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad. Clare appeared in the census in 1920 in Wyeville, Byron Township, Monroe County, WI. His household consisted of Clare and Grace and their children, Elva, age 5; Ruth, age 4; and Lyle H., age 2. They were living next door to Grace's mother, Blanche Kuckuck, her husband, Tom Cassity, and their adopted son, George. Before 1930 he was a railroad worker in Wyeville, Byron Township, Monroe County, WI. Between 1930 and 1940 he was an auto mechanic (self-employed) in Adams, Adams Township, Adams County, WI. Clare appeared in the census in 1930 in Adams, Adams Township, Adams County, WI. His home was located at 110 Kenwood Avenue (now Street) and his occupation was "Machinist, Garage." He appeared in the census in 1940 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI. His household was at 1308 Stoughton Avenue and his occupation was "Truck Driver, Bottling Works." His total wages in 1939 were $600. Between 1940 and 1944 he was an auto mechanic (self-employed) in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI. Clare died on 1 September 1947 at the age of 53 in Madison, Dane County, WI. Obituary Notes: "Funeral services for Claire L. Griggs, who passed away Sept. 1, were held at 2:30 o'clock Thursday afternoon, Sept. 4, the Rev. Robert L. Jamieson officiating. Interment was in Oak Grove Cemetery.Claire Luen Griggs, son of Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Griggs, was born in the town of LaGrange on July 10, 1894, and resided there until his marriage to Grace Olive Kuckuck on October 15, 1913. He passed away at the Wisconsin General Hospital at Madison on Labor Day, 1947, after a brief illness (he suffered an intestinal obstruction due to post-operative adhesion for ulcers, with a partial stomach removal). He had been in poor health for the past 12 years. Surviving Mr. Griggs are his widow, Mrs. Grace Griggs, and seven children, Mrs. Elva Prise, Mrs. Beverly Drew, Ruth, Lyle and Carol Jenelle, all of Tomah; Harold of La Crosse, and Marine Cpl. Clair Griggs, Jr., stationed at Camp Le Jeune, N.C.; one grandchild, Ruth Anne; two sisters, Mrs. Mattie Vandervort and Mrs. Mabel Koopman, besides several nieces and nephews and a host of friends. His father, mother and three brothers preceded him in death. He was of cheerful disposition during his long years of illness and will be sadly missed by his family and friends." Clare's funeral was held at the First United Methodist Church, then located at the corner of Kilbourn Avenue and East Juneau Street. It is the oldest known church in the city of Tomah, having been organized in October 1856. He was buried on 4 September 1947 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI. in the Oak Grove Cemetery (Original Plot, Block 2, Lot 70). His middle name was "Luen," but he signed it as "Louis" on his World War I draft card. He was named after his mother's brother, Luen Adelbert Griswold.) | |
vi. |  Carroll Eugene GRIGGS (~) was born on 10 October 1898 in La Grange Township, Monroe County, WI. Newspaper article: "LaGrange seems to be the banner town this year in the production of large and varied crops. Farmers with barns well filled and farms well stocked and still taking on wealth. Among the more recent acquisitions are a bouncing boy at the home of Clarence Griggs, and a lively lass at the home of Will Gould. All interested parties are rejoicing." He appeared in the census in 1900 in La Grange Township, Monroe County, WI. He appeared in the census in 1905 in La Grange Township, Monroe County, WI. Carroll appeared in the census in 1910 in La Grange Township, Monroe County, WI. He graduated on 20 June 1918 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI. from Tomah High School. In the 1917 and 1918 Tomah High School yearbooks, The Hamot, he is described as a 6' 1" and 200 pounds. His nickname in the 1918 issue was "Curlie" and he played left tackle on the football team. He was described as "the heavyweight of the team." He also sang tenor in the Mixed Chorus.Gary Griggs has a diary that Carroll kept from February 1918 until November 1918, when he died. At the beginning of the diary is this note: "This book is a book that I alone can know the meaning of things said in it. Therefore, let no one try to fathom it. Things that are written in here are intended only for ... (shorthand) ... future wife... (more shorthand)." (He was learning shorthand in high school, and he used it in other parts of his diary to keep portions of his entries private.) In the diary, Carroll makes daily notes about his work on the farm, his school dances and other activities, his family and relatives, and his girlfriend, Isla Dickinson. On September 20th, his entry says: "Took Isla to H.P Dance. Had a dandy time. She is one of the very best there is." Bernice Griggs and Ron Vandervort took the diary to show to Isla Mae Dickinson Kennedy (Class of 1919) in the mid-1990's. The story goes that he and Isla were in love when he died, and she never forgot him. The Hamot has this description about her next to her graduation picture: "The warmth of genial courtesy; the calm of self reliance." His last entry in the diary on November 13, 1918, fifteen days prior to his death, says: "I am feeling partly Blue." He registered for the Military Draft on 12 September 1918 in Sparta, Sparta Township, Monroe County, WI. His draft card lists him as "Tall" height, "Medium" build, "Brown" eyes, and "Dark Brown" hair. His address was "R.F.D. No. 2, La Grange, Monroe County, Wis." His occupation was "Farm Laborer" for his father, Clarence Griggs. He registered for the draft just over 2 months before his death. He died on 28 November 1918 at the age of 20 in La Grange Township, Monroe County, WI. Obituary Notes: "Carrol Griggs, aged 19, son of Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Griggs, died on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 28th, of pneumonia following Spanish Influenza. Funeral services were held at the Griggs farm home north of Tomah on Saturday afternoon, November 30, 1918. The services were conducted by Rev. G. H. Willett, and the pall bearers were schoolmates of the deceased young man who graduated last May from Tomah High, Class of '18. He was a young man of good principles, and kind and cheerful disposition, and was a favorite in the home and among all his associates. Carrol Griggs is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Griggs; two sisters, Mrs. Rollie Vandervort and Mrs. Edward Koopman; two brothers, Samuel and Claire. The entire countryside extends its sympathy to the family and relatives of the deceased, who was cut off from life in his early manhood." Edward Koopman, the husband of Carroll's sister Mabel, died the next week from the same illness. Across Wisconsin, more than 100,000 residents became infected and nearly 8,500 died from influenza or its complications between September and December 1918. Worldwide, 20 million people died from influenza or its aftermath--pneumonia. In a letter written by his father, Clarence, to his cousin Elton Griggs on 31 December 1918, Clarence states: "Your letter of November 17-18 was received the 19th & found me by the bedside of my youngest son, Carroll. He was taken about 14 inst. with the flu & later pneumonia set in. He lived until Thanksgiving morning. 6:50 a.m. he passed away, He was 20 y. 1 mo. 18 days old. He just finished high school last Jun. 20, and he and I were working the farm at Dodgeville where you lived years ago. He was a fine boy, 6 ft. tall weighed about 190. Strong and liked his work & home and we miss him oh so much." Carroll was buried on 30 November 1918 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI. in the Oak Grove Cemetery (First Addition, Block 2, Lot 14). |