Griggs, James bio

Portrait and Biographical Album of Fulton County, Illinois: containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county: together with portraits and biographies of all the presidents of the United States, and governors of the state; Biographical Pub. Co., Chicago, IL; 1890; page 227; Transcribed by Margaret Rose Whitehurst
James Griggs is one of the oldest settlers of Fulton County, to which he came as early as the year 1829. Long years of meritorious conduct in private and public life have won for him a reputation which is the choicest heritage he can leave to his posterity when called from time to eternity. He is the owner and occupant of one hundred and sixty acres of finely improved land on section 1, Orion Township, and is classed among those who make of agriculture both an art and a science. He combines qualities of two prominent nationalities, being of German ancestry in the paternal line and French in the maternal.
The parents of our subject, George and Sarah (Harker) Griggs, removed from the Empire State to Peoria County, Ill., in 1829. The country to which they had come was full of Indians and they endured many trials from the savages, particularly after the outbreak of the Black Hawk War in 1830. The father was a soldier during the War of 1812. The parents were rewarded for all their trials and privations by seeing their family grow to honored manhood and womanhood. The circle comprised eight children, whose record is as follows: Harvey married Elizabeth Long, now deceased, and makes his home in Peoria County; Pruella married William Thurston, their home being in Elmwood, Peoria County; Mary is unmarried and lives with her brother James of this notice; Franklin D. married Deborah Largent and lives in Farmington; Aseneth, who is now deceased, was the wife of George Champ; Susan, also deceased, was the wife of William Bown; Jeremiah married Eunice Yaw and lives at Oak Hill, Peoria County.
The birthplace of our subject was Cayuga County, N. Y., and his natal day June 10, 1819. After reaching maturity he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Ann Bown who died within a year after their marriage. He was joined in wedlock with his present wife, formerly Dulcena E. McMains, in 1856 and the union has been blessed by the birth of five children. The first-born, George W., married Belle Gruniger and lives in Peoria County; Edwin E. married Maude Frank, their home being in this township; Mary Ann became the wife of Frank Jacobs a resident of Peoria County; Susan, is unmarried and is still making her home under the parental roof and engaged in the profession of teaching. All the children have been given good educations and three have been engaged in teaching.
Mr. Griggs and the various members of his family take a great interest in educational matters which he has assisted as a School Director for over twenty-five years. His first Presidential vote was cast for Martin Van Buren and for years he has adhered to the doctrines of Democracy as firmly as when he first adapted them. He is a Baptist in his religious faith.