GRISWOLD, JOSEPH

GRISWOLD, GOODREICH, NECOMER, MATTHEWS, SMITH

Posted By: Janice Sowers (email)
Date: 8/3/2006 at 14:16:30

PIONEER DAYS-HESPER TOWNSHIP 1851-1941

Joseph Griswold was born in Jackson county, Vermont, January 1830. His father died in Chicago when he was but an infant, and when ten years of age, Mr. E. M. Rider was appointed his guardian, with whom he made his home seven years. He then commenced learning the trade of a carpenter which he followed until the age of twenty-four. In 1852 he married Nancy L. Goodreich. He soon after bought a door, sash and blind factory in Meddleburg, Vermont. The year 1856 he brought his family to Hesper, living for a time in the Wheeler cabin. He again took up the carpenter trade. After leaving Hesper, he moved to Fillmore county, Minn. In 1877 he met with a heavy loss of $1,200, his barn with contents burning to the ground. They were parents of three children. Edmond A., who married Ida Necomer; Isabelle the wife of Will Matthews, now deceased, and Winfield M., married Susannah Smith. Mr. Griswold suffered grief when his wife became insane and passed away. He later remarried. After he retired from farming he came to Hesper again, making his home with his son, Winfield, until his death. Mr. Griswold made almost all of his carpenter tools. A tool chest made of cherry, which was made by him in 1841, and a number of tools together with a candle mould are prize possessions of his son Winfield.