From Memorial and Genealogical Record of Dodge and Jefferson Counties, Wisconsin, publ. 
1894 - Page 229-231
 
FRED M. GRISWOLD.  The members of this well known firm, GRISWOLD & FRASER, are, and 
have long been, engaged in dealing in implements of all kinds, and have won an extended and 
enviable reputation as active, shrewd and successful men of affairs.  Fred M. GRISWOLD, one of 
the members of this firm, was born at Lake Mills, Wis., July 3, 1855, and in the schools of his 
native town he received a practical education.  He started in business life at the early age of 
seventeen years, at cheese-making, and, after following this occupation for five years, he began 
dealing in agricultural implements, and has successfully followed this occupation up to the 
present time.  He has been quite active in the affairs of his county, and has represented the 
village of Lake Mills on the County Board of Supervisors for three years; member of the Board of 
Trustees four years, and was re-elected treasurer of the school district July 1894.  He is a 
member of Sagola Lodge, No. 27, of the I.O.O.F., and was grand master of the Grand Lodge of 
Wisconsin in 1892, and was grand representative to the Soo Grand Lodge of 1893-94.  He is a 
Republican in politics, has been a delegate to county and State conventions, and has been quite 
an active participant in public matters.  He was married to Miss Florence BROWN, a resident of 
Lake Mills.  His father, George S. GRISWOLD, was born in Stafford, N.Y., August 15, 1828, a son 
of Stephen and Pamelia (RUMSEY) GRISWOLD, who came to Lake Mills, where they resided 
until death.  On the 8th of September 1852, George S. GRISWOLD married Albina E. MERRIAM, 
daughter of John G. and Maria (DUTCHER) MERRIAM.  They resided in Lake Mills the 
remainder of their lives, the death of Mrs. GRISWOLD occurring February 3, 1891, the husband 
following May 25, 1892, leaving two sons, Fred M. and Harry R.  Mr. GRISWOLD inherited 
Scotch blood of his ancestors, who settled in Vermont on coming to this country.  He became one 
of the best known and most reliable business men of Lake Mills, and for many years was 
connected with his brother, William R. GRISWOLD, and others in the large manufacturing plant 
that was the life of the place, and after its reorganization retained one-third interest.  Later he 
engaged with D. G. FRASER and his son, Fred M., in founding and maintaining one of the largest 
agricultural implement, wagon and carriage establishments in this section of the State, was 
always the soul of honesty in his dealings with the hundreds of customers with whom he dealt 
and held by ever a favorite of the people.  The masses admired his conservatism, and knew that 
he would be even more cautious with public funds than with his own.  He believed that "public 
office is a public trust," and no one ever accused him of being false to this belief.  He served 
repeatedly on the town board of supervisors, and for about eighteen years was treasurer of the 
school district.  He showed great pride in the success of the schools and was ever solicitous that 
none but first-class instructors should be employed  As a token of the high appreciation of his 
efforts in this direction, all departments of the school were closed upon the day of his funeral and 
the flag hung at half-mast over the school building.  Mr. GRISWOLD was interested in all that was 
for the advancement and betterment of the community in which he resided during the major 
portion of his long and honored career; was always a regular attendant at church and ever ready 
to give liberally to its support, and although not a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, he 
was for years one of its trustees and treasurers.  He responded readily to all calls of charity and 
benevolence, and no worthy person ever appealed to him in vain.  He for years was one of the 
active and stanch members of Sagola Lodge, I.O.O.F., and one of the foremost in raising it to its 
present high standard.  For many terms he held one of the most important offices in this society - 
that of permanent secretary.  It has been repeatedly said of him that he did not have an enemy, 
and although he possessed decided opinions on all questions - moral and political - he believed 
that others could be honest and entertain opinions which differed from his.  Thus it was that 
people who held radically different views from his own were his friends and were always ready to 
support him in public stations and patronize him in business.
 
Hi son, Harry R., was born March 5, 1865, in Lake Mills, in the old home, which is a familiar 
landmark, and which is occupied by Fred M. GRISWOLD.  In his youth and early manhood he 
obtained a good education, and upon attaining a suitable age entered the office of the firm of 
GRISWOLD & FRASER, in 1882, where he was employed six years as clerk and bookkeeper.  In 
the fall of 1888 he obtained a position in the general freight department of the Wisconsin Central 
Railroad, at Milwaukee, Wis., going to Chicago in 1890, when the offices of the road were moved 
to that city.  From January 1894 to October 1894, he was in the employ of the Evansville & Terre 
Haute Railroad Company, since which time he has been at the head of the general freight and 
passenger departments of the Evansville & Richmond Railroad at Evansville, Ind.  He is a 
Republican in politics and socially is a member of the I.O.O.F.  In 1891 he married Miss Bessie 
HANSON, a daughter of John W. HANSON, of Lake Mills, Wis.  William F. BROWN, father of 
Mrs. Fred M. GRISWOLD, was born in Scotland, November 16, 1819, to Robert and Mary 
(FERGUSON) BROWN, who lived and died in Scotland, but he came to America in 1844 and 
located in Rock County, Wis., and after residing successively in this State, Michigan and Illinois, 
he returned to Wisconsin and first lived in Milwaukee, then in 1884 came to Lake Mills, Jefferson 
County.  During his lifetime he has followed the calling of a mechanic and has followed the calling 
of an engineer in the various places in which he has lived, and succeeded well in this occupation.  
He has lived in retirement since coming to Lake Mills, but has led an active life.  He was married 
in Milwaukee to Philadelphia DIBLEY, daughter of Deacon Joseph DIBLEY.  She was born in 
England and came with her people to this country and to Wisconsin in 1835, and they were 
among the first settlers of Milwaukee.  To Mr. and Mrs. BROWN the following children were born: 
Agnes, wife of Oliver COOMBE; Mary, who died in 1876, was the wife of Whitney DAY; Emma is 
the wife of Samuel MTICHELL, of Elkhorn; Anna B., is the wife of Sumner REED, of Lake Mills; 
William J. is a traveling man of Milwaukee; Florence is the wife of Fred M. GRISWOLD, and 
Robert W. is living at home.  Mr. BROWN is an upright citizen and is esteemed by all who know 
him.
 
Submitted by Carol