Biography - George W. Grisso
GEORGE W. GRISSO. The hospitable and genial owner of the finely-improved farm located on section 12, of Tower Hill Township, is a man whose ancestry and birth tell in his general status, for he is intelligent, well informed, a lover of books and of beautiful things, altogether a manly man and a gentleman. His father was Christian Grisso, a native of Virginia, and his mother Elizabeth (Detrick) Grisso. Both parents were of German ancestry. Our subject's father still survives, but his mother passed away about 1858. They were the parents of a family of eight children, and of these our subject was the fourth in order of birth, having been born in Clark County, Ohio, August 30, 1838.
The original of this sketch attained to manhood in his native county and state, and December 13, 1864, when he felt that he could take upon him the responsibilities and duties of wedded life, he was married to Miss Catherine Mellinger, a daughter of Malchor and Matilda (Bowman) Mellinger, who were residents of Dayton, Ohio, at the time of their death, where they had lived for many years. They were the parents of ten children, of whom Mrs. Grisso was the second in order of birth. She was born in Richland County, Ohio, February 5, 1840.
After the marriage of our subject, he, with his young wife, settled in Clark County, Ohio, and there lived five years, from which place they came to this county and settled in Tower Hill Township, where they have ever since been residents. Their domestic life has been very happy. Kindly and forbearing, each is appreciative of the intentions and acts of the other. Little ones have come about them, and those who survive have grown to be good and intelligent women, who have taken responsible and honorable positions in society. They are a credit to their parents, and speak well for the years of tender guardianship and care which have been bestowed upon them. The names of the five children are as follows: Carrie M., who died in infancy: Clarence A., who was also taken away while a babe; Emma J.; Cora M., who is the wife of Charles Malone; and Ivella I.
Mr. Grisso has been appointed to service in several local offices, having been Highway Commissioner and School Director; and the compliment that has been paid his judgment and ability has been returned by faithful and efficient service. He has ever taken an active part in local political affairs, striving to have the local government in the hands of such men as will conscientiously discharge their duties irrespective of party power. He fraternizes with the Prohibition element, thus showing his progressive tendencies. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and he himself has ever been a generous contributor to the support of the Gospel.
He of whom we write has found his vocation to be that of a producer and cultivator of the rich cereal treasures of the earth, and in this, although a comparatively young man, he has already been favored with a reasonable degree of success. He is the owner of one hundred and twenty acres of good land, upon which he has expended much money and labor in fine improvements. His residence is a cozy and comfortable home, which finds a place for the best influence wrought by books and music and cheerful, animated conversation on current topics of the day. He devotes the greater part of his attention to the cultivation of small fruit, in which he has been particularly successful, and his farm in the warm days of June, July and August, when the bushes are laden with their fragrant and juicy burdens, is an enticing and delightful place to visit. Socially he belongs to the Older of United Workmen.
During the War of the Rebellion Mr. Grisso enlisted in the army, becoming a volunteer in August, 1862, in Company A., Ninety-fourth Ohio Regiment. He served about eleven months, at the expiration of which time he was discharged on account of physical disability. He was taken prisoner near Frankfort, Ky., and experienced something of the prison life, although he was paroled soon after his capture.
Extracted 08 Apr 2017 by Norma Hass from 1891 Portrait and Biographical Record of Shelby and Moultrie Counties Illinois, pages 253-254.
