Benjamin was the youngest son of a large family in Perry County, Ohio. His parents, Benjamin and Anna Marie (Struble) Griggs, moved west from New Jersey in an early day, and settled in the heavy timber of Ohio, among bear, deer, wild turkeys and Indians. They both lived to a very old age, upwards of 80, and were buried where they had lived in Ohio.

The subject of this sketch was born in Perry County, August 4^th, 1846. His father was a nurseryman and brought up his son in the business, which he followed until the war. At 17 years of age he entered the service in 1863 and served until the close of the war.   He enlisted in the 31st Ohio, Co. G., 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 14th Army Corps under Pap Thomas, with who be served in all the terrible battles in and around Chattanooga. Missionary Ridge, Lookout Mountain and Atlanta, and followed Sherman “From Atlanta to the Sea.”   He was under fire every day and night through all that memorable siege and was never wounded or sick in the hospital an hour during the whole time of his two year active service, and was mustered out at Columbus, Ohio at the close of the war in 1865. The 31st took its old flagstaff, with 82 bullet holes in it and the flag hanging in ribbons with them to Columbus where it now remains in the State Military Museum.

Two years after the war on April 4, 1867, he was married to Miss Sarah Margaret Fisher, and in 1869 came to Moultry County, Illinois. Later they moved to Harrisburg in Saline County, and about 1898 settled in Marion. Mr. Griggs sold out his farm in Saline County and started a brick yard and grounds at Marion, on East College St., near the Fair Grounds and engaged in brick making, which he followed until July 1, 1904, when he sold out to his sons Benjamin Eura and Sydney. They continued the business till about 1920 as Griggs Bros. Pressed Brick Company.

In connection with his farming and nursery business he ran a saw and grist mill for about 15 years. Although an active and ambitious man and a strong Republican in politics, he never ran for an office. Benjamin and his family constructed and built their home at 1001 E. College St.

His first wife died March 19, 1904, at Marion and he was united in marriage with Miss Pauline Campbell, of Marion September 23, 1904. Pauline already had an 8 year old daughter named Amanda. The 1910 census reflects them living at 1005 E. College St. with children Eura 27, a real estate agent and partner in the Brick Plant, Laura 5 and step daughter Amanda 14. Benjamin is listed as a merchant.

In the 1920 census, they are still at 1005 E. College St. Benjamin is now 74, Pauline is 50 and they have one remaining daughter Laura at home now aged 15. Benjamin has retired and lists no occupation.

In the 1930 census, the Griggs have moved to 1210 N. State Street in Herrin, Illinois. Benjamin is 84 and Pauline is 60, they have son Eura 45 living with them. Eura is working his insurance agency.

Benjamin died at the age of 83 on January 21, 1934 in Herrin and was buried on the 23^rd at Rose Hill Cemetery in Marion.

He is the father of eight children, of whom five are living. Their names, in the order of their birth, are; Mrs. Marie Josephine Clark, Saline Co.; Roy Griggs, Saline Co.; Sydney C. Griggs. Marion; Bertha Griggs, Carterville: Benjamin Eura Griggs, Marion.

Sam’s Notes: Eura Griggs opened and ran Griggs Insurance Agency and also dealt in real estate and real estate loans. From 1911 to 1914 he served as City Clerk for the City of Marion Illinois.

Back to the top

(Most photos and data from 1905 Souvenir Book, WCHS; Ancestry.com, Federal census records, death records, city directories. Compiled and edited by Sam Lattuca on 01/08/2013)