Fourteenth Generation

925. Lena Ella GRIGGS was born on 30 November 1888 in Milton, Rock County, WI.⁷²⁰ She died on 20 April 1995 at the age of 106 in Spencer, Clay County, IA.⁷²⁰ Obituary Notes: "Lena Ella Atkinson, the daughter of Cassius and Sarah Freeborn Griggs, was born November 30, 1888, in Milton, Wisconsin. Lena was their only child and at the age of two, they moved to Spencer, Iowa
Lena attended Spencer schools and was taking normal training at Morningside College in Sioux City, IA.

Her parents moved to near Minot, ND so she went with them and taught school there for three years. The family moved back to Iowa and she married Clifford Atkinson on November 16, 1909, in Sioux City, IA where they lived for many years. In 1938, they moved to Spencer.

Mrs. Atkinson was a member of the First Congregational Church where she taught Sunday School. She was active in women’s fellowship and was a deaconess several years. She was chosen to be a Deaconess Ameritus. Lena was a 70-year member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, also a member of Spencer Federated Women’s Club.

On April 20, 1995, Mrs. Atkinson passed away at the Northshire Residence in Spencer at the age of 106. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband and a son-in-law, Marion Watts. Lena is survived by two daughters: Carol & her husband, John Newton of Burlington, IA; Jean Watts of Baltimore, MD; 8 grandchildren & 16 great grandchildren."

Lena Ella GRIGGS and Clifford ATKINSON were married on 16 November 1909 in Sioux City, Woodbury County, IA.⁷²⁰ Clifford ATKINSON was born on 13 February 1887 in Woonsocket, Sanborn County, SD. He died on 26 November 1951 at the age of 64 in Spencer, Clay County, IA.

Lena Ella GRIGGS and Clifford ATKINSON had the following children: