EDGAR GRISWOLD, a native of Addison county, Vt., was born Jan. 2, 1820, his parents being David E. and Lydia (Twitchell) Griswold, natives of Vermont. His father came to Illinois in 1829, and spent that winter in Greene county, returning to Vermont in the summer of 1830, where he remained until Aug. 24, 1831. Then, with his family of five children - Melissa, Sophia, Damon, Edgar and Edwin, he started back to Illinois, coming all the way in wagons. There were seven wagons in the excursion and they were seven weeks in making the trip. On his arrival here, David Griswold located on 160 acres of land on section 9, in what is now Carrollton township. This was partially improved, there being a small log cabin, a corn crib, and a smoke house thereon, and it was what was then called secondhand land. There he resided until he was called hence by the grim hand of death, Aug. 24, 1875. A remarkable coincidence is noticeable in connection with that date. He left Vermont on August 24, his eldest son died Aug. 24, and his death occurred Aug. 24. Edgar, the subject of this sketch, was reared on a farm, and remained at home until he had reached the age of 20 years. He was then married and started out for himself, locating at first near Greenfield, where he owned 160 acres of land, on to which he moved and remained there five years. He then exchanged farms with his brother Edwin, and moved back to the homestead, where he resided several years. From there he removed to Macoupin county, where he purchased 320 acres of land, on which he remained two years, then sold out and again returned to the homestead where he has since resided. In 1868 he took a trip to California, going by way of New York, and down across the Isthmus of Panama, and was accompanied by his brother-in-law, John North. They visited the cities of San Francisco and Sacramento, and on their return traveled 800 miles by stage. Mr. Griswold has accumulated a great deal of property, and now owns 725 acres of rich land, 480 of which lies in Christian county. On the 12th of March, 1840, he was married to Lucy North, daughter of Asa and Prudence North. They are the parents of 11 children, seven of whom are living - Perry, married Olive Stone, resides in Kansas; Seth, married Etta Whiteside, resides in White hall township; Ellen, wife of Edward Boulton, residing in Greenfield; Sylvia, wife of George W. Whitaker, residing at Kearney, Neb.; Damon, married Etna Baldwin, resides in Christian county; Carrie, wife of t. M. Meek, residing near Rockbridge, and Edward, at home. Mr. Griswold is a member of the Masonic fraternity of White Hall, and also of the grange lodge. He is one of the substantial farmers, and enterprising citizens of this township. Mr. Griswold now has in his possession two sickles 50 years old, which he brought to his county with him, and which he used to cut his first wheat with.