30th Generation

250. Clarence Lucius GRIGGS (*) (~) was born on 15 August 1856 in Barre Township, La Crosse County, WI.^70,103 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.¹⁰⁹ He appeared in the census in 1870 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.¹¹⁰ Clarence appeared in the census in 1875 in Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.¹¹³ He was living with his parents. He appeared in the census in 1880 in La Grange Township, Monroe County, WI.¹¹⁴ 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.^{103,114,116,185} 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.¹⁸⁶ 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.¹¹⁹ 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.^127,187 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.¹⁸⁸ His occupation was "Farmer." He appeared in the census in 1910 in La Grange Township, Monroe County, WI.^176,189 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.^70,190,191 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.^80,103,143 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.^80,103 in the Oak Grove Cemetery (First Addition, Block 2, Lot 14).

Clarence Lucius GRIGGS (*) (~) and Carrie Permelia GRISWOLD (*) were married on 25 November 1880 in Wilton Township, Monroe County, WI.^{103,124,138,192} 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."
Carrie Permelia GRISWOLD (*), daughter of Samuel Hiram GRISWOLD and Martha Jane WATROUS, was born on 15 September 1858 in Ridgeville Township, Monroe County, WI.^{79,80,103,109,110,193,194,195,196} (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.¹⁰⁹ She appeared in the census in 1870 in Wilton Township, Monroe County, WI.¹¹⁰ Carrie appeared in the census in 1875 in Wilton Township, Monroe County, WI.¹¹³ She appeared in the census in 1880 in Wilton Township, Monroe County, WI.^114,197,198 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.¹¹⁸ Carrie appeared in the census in 1895 in La Grange Township, Monroe County, WI.¹¹⁹ She appeared in the census in 1900 in La Grange Township, Monroe County, WI.¹²⁷ She was living with her husband and six children. She appeared in the census in 1905 in La Grange Township, Monroe County, WI.¹⁸⁸ Carrie appeared in the census in 1910 in La Grange Township, Monroe County, WI.¹⁸⁹ She was living with her husband and six children. She appeared in the census in 1920 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.^70,190,191 (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.^103,196,199 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.^80,103,196 in the Oak Grove Cemetery (First Addition, Block 2, Lot 14).

Clarence Lucius GRIGGS (*) (~) and Carrie Permelia GRISWOLD (*) had the following children:

+285	i.	Samuel Hiram "Sam" GRIGGS (*) (~).
286	ii.	Lucius Adelbert "Ben" GRIGGS (~) was born on 4 July 1883 in Wilton Township, Monroe County, WI.103 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.118 He appeared in the census in 1895 in La Grange Township, Monroe County, WI.119 Ben appeared in the census in 1900 in La Grange Township, Monroe County, WI.127 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.188 He was living with his parents and his occupation was "Farmer." He lived at his home in Duluth, St. Louis County, MN in December 1907.163 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.189 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.103 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." He was buried on 24 November 1913 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.80,103,200 in the Oak Grove Cemetery (First Addition, Block 2, Lot 14).
+287	iii.	Martha Cordelia "Mattie" GRIGGS (~).
+288	iv.	May Isabell "Mabel" GRIGGS (~).
+289	v.	Clare Luen GRIGGS Sr. (~).
290	vi.	Carroll Eugene GRIGGS (~) was born on 10 October 1898 in La Grange Township, Monroe County, WI.103,201 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.127 He appeared in the census in 1905 in La Grange Township, Monroe County, WI.188 Carroll appeared in the census in 1910 in La Grange Township, Monroe County, WI.189 He graduated on 20 June 1918 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.103,202 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. 203 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.70,103,204,205 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.80,103 in the Oak Grove Cemetery (First Addition, Block 2, Lot 14).