O. F. GRISWOLD, who has long occupied a prominent position in business circles in Greene county and after many years' connection with its agricultural and financial interests is now living retired, was born in this county March 20, 1846, his parents being Sylvester and Elizabeth (Hodges) Griswold, while his grandparents were Adonijah and Mary (Barton) Griswold. His grandfather was born in Waltham, Addison county, Vermont, and on seeking a home in the west he made a settlement on Apple Creek prairie in White Hall township, Greene county, Illinois, in 1828. He was induced to remove to this state by some of his children who had preceded him here. While this country was engaged in the second war with England he became a soldier in defense of American interests and was taken prisoner by the British. After he had been incarcerated for some time he made his escape by scaling the prison walls, but he was recaptured, given twenty lashes and again imprisoned for a term of three years. When the war closed, however, he was released. Becoming connected with agricultural pursuits in Greene county he transformed a wild tract of land into a well improved farm and continued its cultivation up to the time of his death, which occurred on the old family homestead in Patterson township, September 1, 1841. In early manhood he wedded Mary Barton, and they became the parents of ten children, of whom Sylvester was the youngest.

Sylvester Griswold was born in Vergennes, Vermont, May 8, 1808, and came to Illinois when twenty-one years of age. He secured a claim in Jersey county, and also one hundred and sixty acres of land in Greene county, these tracts being now in possession of O. F. and Emma A. Griswold. Throughout his entire business career he was interested in agricultural pursuits and the loaning of money and he prospered. His last years were spent in honorable retirement from labor, his earnings in former years enabling him to enjoy in the evening of life all the comforts and luxuries which go to make life worth the living. He died in September, 1892, at the advanced age of eighty-four years. In early manhood he married Elizabeth Hodges, who died when her son O. F. Griswold was a young lad. She also left a daughter, Miss Emma A. Griswold, who is a resident of White Hall. The father afterward married again, his second union being with Mrs. Martha Post, a sister of his first wife, and she passed away in 1893.

O. F. Griswold, whose name introduces this review, began his education in the common schools of Greene county and was afterward a student in the State Normal school at Platteville, Wisconsin. He went to that state for the benefit of his health and when it had sufficiently improved he continued his studies as before stated. In was in 1867 that he went to Wisconsin and he remained a resident of that state for a number of years. In 1869 he embarked in the book and stationery business at Platteville, but after two years sold out and returned to White Hall, where he remained one year. On the expiration of that period he again went to Wisconsin and entered the Platteville Bank as cashier. In 1889 he made arrangements to open a bank in Michigan, but his father became ill and he abandoned that plan. He returned to White Hall in 1892 to manage his father's affairs. He has since been a resident of this city and is now a stockholder in the White Hall Electric Light & Power Company. He assisted in organizing the White Hall Tile & Pottery Company, which established its plant in 1903, but has since disposed of his interests. In 1904 he became connected with the White Hall National Bank, of which he is still a director and stockholder. He owns valuable farm lands which he rents and is now living retired, save that he gives his personal supervision to his private investments.

In June, 1872, Mr. Griswold was united in marriage to Miss Emma Hodges, a daughter of Isaac and Lucetta (Crist) Hodges, of Platteville, Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. Griswold now have two children: Harry H., the elder, born October 24, 1874, is assistant cashier in the White Hall National Bank. He attended the schools of Platteville, Wisconsin, and of Jacksonville, Illinois, and was graduated from the University of Chicago in the class of 1897, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Science. Jesse E., the daughter, was educated at Monticello Seminary at Godfrey, Illinois, one fo the oldest and best schools of the west, completing a four years' classical course there in 1897. She was also a student of art in that institution.

In May, 1903, Mr. Griswold began the erection of one of the fine residences of White Hall on Main street and it was built with all modern equipments and conveniences, is tastefully furnished, and the house is surrounded by a fine lawn, adorned with beautiful shade trees and flowering plants. Mr. Griswold is a Republican in politics, but the honors or emoluments of office have had no attraction for him. His attention has been given to his business affairs in former years and although not yet in the prime of life he has acquired through inheritance and through capable business management a property that enables him to live retired. He has ever maintained an honorable relation with his fellow men, has been loyal in citizenship and has manifested a public spirited and progressive interest in everything pertaining to the county's upbuilding. He is popular with a large circle of friends and has the high regard of all with whom he has been associated.