ALLEN C. GRISWOLD, one of Greene county's substantial farmers, was born in Scott county, Illinois, near Manchester on the 1st of February, 1860. His father, Loyal P. Griswold, was born in a log cabin in Greene county, Illinois, on the 14th of August, 1833, and was a son of Harry and Maria (Post) Griswold. He is represented on another page of this volume.

Allen C. Griswold spent his boyhood days in the usual manner of farmer lads. He worked in the fields through the summer months and in the winter seasons attended the public schools. He has resided upon his present farm since 1897 and here owns two hundred acres of rich land, adjoining the city limits, known as Middlebrook stock farm, which hee has placed under a high state of cultivation. He is now regarded as one of the well-to-do farmers of his community and in cultivating his fields he follows modern methods of farming, using the latest improved machinery and doing everything that would facilitate his work and render his fields more productive. He has likewise extended his business efforts to other lines of activity and is a stockholder in the First National Bank at White Hall and also in a Sewer Pipe & Stoneware company there.

In 1895 Mr. Griswold was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Lorton, only child of Harvey and Rebecca (Dinwiddie) Lorton. Her father is one of the very early settlers of Greene county. He was a son of Thomas and Frances Lorton. Her grandfather was of Welsh and Irish lineage and served his country as a soldier in the Revolutionary war, valiantly aiding the colonists in their struggle for independence. He lived to enjoy the fruits of his labor for many years, passing away in 1833, at the advanced age of eighty-six years. His wife was a relative of William Ganaway, who figured prominently in the annals of Tennessee. Harvey N. Lorton had but little opportunity for acquiring an education, save that he learned valuable lessons in the school of experience. In his younger days it was his intention to make his home in Texas, but he came to Illinois on a visit and secured employment in this state. After eight years he purchased fifty acres of land and began the operation of his own farm and from that time forward gave up all idea of becoming a resident of the south. At the time of the Civil war he responded to his country's call for aid, enlisting on the 18th of August, 1862, as a member of Company I, Ninety-first Illinois Infantry, with which he served for three years. His regiment was assigned to the Gulf department and with others of his command he was captured in Kentucky by Morgan's troops. He remained in the south until after the close of hostilities and was mustered out July 12, 1865, having made an excellent record as a soldier and a fearless defender of the Union cause. His daughter, mrs. Griswold, was born at what is known as Lorton's Prairie in Greene county, March 4, 1867, and unto our subject and his wife have been born two children; Lee Post, born April 22, 1896; and Curtis Harvey, born May 14, 1899.

Mr. Griswold gives his political allegiance to the Republican party and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day, thus being able to support his position by intelligent argument. Both he and his wife are widely and favorably known in Greene county and the circle of their friends is almost co-extensive with the circle of their acquaintances. As a citizen he is public spirited and progressive, deeply interested in th welfare of his home town and of the county and giving his co-operation in unstinted measure to promoting their upbuilding and progress. His efforts in this direction have been of such practical character that the results have proved far reaching and beneficial.