The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1897-04-28
IN MENIORIAM.

John Stults Griggs was born in Mid
dlesex county, New jersey, April 4th,
1918. There he spent his boyhood days
up to the age of IA years when in 1882
his parents removed with the family to
Ohio, settling in Brighton township
in this county. They came to Ohio
then for the same reason that people
go west now, viz, to better their con-
dition. Young John lost his mother
by death about two years after their
arrival here. This was an irreparable
loss to boy of that age, but such
misfortunes have to be borne, and this
was no exception to the rule
By industry he had saved the sum
of $50, which in those days was large
amount, especially for boy of 6years'
This he was persuaded to loan to
friend and came near loosing it all to-
gether, finally getting his money in
trade. This did not serve to discour-
age him, but he kept on working and
struck out again to build himself a
fortune. He attended school winters
at log school house about two miles
from his home and gained what he
could of the rudiments of an education.
Through the spring, summer and fall
ho al ,,I trb tau a
could find to do, until by his thrift
and industry he purchased a small
farm northwest of Brighton center. At
the age of %, in 1S40 he married Maria
Converse and the next year settled on
his little farm and went to house keep
ing. Here is where the writer first
knew him forty years ago. Here his
children were born and here is where
he accumulated property and to rise
above want. He bought farm after
farm until he became quite land
owner. He retired from active farm
ing about three years ago, and moved
to Wellington to spend the balance of
his days more at his ease, but his long
fixed habits Of life compelled hlm to
continue his oversight and care of his
farming interests to the last.
For about twenty-five years he had
suffered with the asthma which had
gradually increased in severity, but
his indomitable will and energy en-
abled him to fight it and continue the
active work of life, when many other
men would of been defeated by it. He
kept up the battle until Il few days
before his death, when he contracted a
severe cold which complicated matters
and brought on the crisis which result
ed fatally, His death occurred April 20,
1897 at the ripe age of 70 years.
The deceased leaves a widow, the
wife of his youth with whom he had
lived fifty six years, also three children
Heredia, now Mrs. Hinchman, of Barry
county, Mich. ; Mary L. now Mrs. o. M,
Gillett, of Brighton, and Addison w.
Griggs of Wellington.
The subject of this sketch never made
public profession of religion, but
recognized its value in the world and
its influence on human character. He
was strictly temperate using neither
Intoxicating drinks nor tobacco in any
form whatever, and was always oppos-
ed to the use of them by others. In
politics he was republican ever since
the cival war. He was intensely loyal
to the Union in her time of peril and
permitted his only son, then under his
majority to enlist in the army. His
life though plain and transformations,
contains a valuable lesson for young
men and boys Of our day, who are
easily discouraged by trifles, showing
them how in the face of discourage
ments he persevered, until he made
life success along the lines which he
had chosen.
The funeral was held at his late res
idence in Wellington on April %, 1897.
Rev. A. F. Skeele of the Congregational
church officiating. The remains were
laid to rest in the old cemetery at
Brighton center.