Grinnell, George 1842-1863

GRINNELL

Posted By: S. Ferrall - IAGenWeb volunteer
Date: 5/22/2024 at 17:29:40

DIED. On Saturday, June 13th, 1863, by drowning in the Mississippi near Clayton, George, eldest son of John and Caroline Grinnell, of Clayton.

George was born in Detroit, April, 1842, and was consequently in his 21st year.

He was in the river bathing with some young company. Being no swimmer he did not venture far from shore, but an abrupt offset made him lose his footing and he suddenly went under. His alarmed companions could render him no assistance until assistance was too late. The body was recovered in an hour and a half and efforts were made at restoration, but in vain; none but the Giver of Life could restore the youth to the embrace of heart-stricken parents and friends.

The funeral discourse was preached by Rev. Isaac Newton, and the body was deposited in its resting place on Sunday evening.

Seldom has the pen which traces these lines been taken up in more melancholy duty than to chronicle the above. The deceased was the son of the truest friends we have met in life; he was a general favorite of the village and neighborhood, estimable as a boy, he had grown up without an enemy -- just reaching a promising manhood surrounded by all the social advantages which merit and the easy circumstances of his parents could assure -- industrious and dutiful -- the loss to his bereaved father and mother, to his youthful companions, to his elder acquaintances cannot be defined in words without mockery.

The village, since this sad event, has presented the appearance of general mourning.

"None knew him but to love him,
None named him but to praise."

~North Iowa Times, Wednesday, June 24, 1863; pg 2

Note: Burial in the Clayton cemetery