The 1860 United States census showed William Griswold (age 25, born in New York) living with his parents Heinman (age 54, born in New York, farmer) and Celestia (age 54, born in Connecticut) in Brighton, Michigan. A brother, Albert (age 18, born in New York), also lived with the couple.
William B. Griswold married Caroline M. Gregg on November 25, 1862.
William B. Griswold (age 28, born in Michigan, attorney at law) registered for the Civil War around July 1, 1863, in Chaska, Minnesota.
The 1865 Minnesota census showed W. B. Griswold married to Carrie M. and living in Mankato, Minnesota. A daughter Cora Bell also lived with the couple.
The 1870 United States census showed Wm. Griswold (age 35, born in Michigan, editor) married to Caroline (age 34, born in New York) and living in Mankato, Minnesota. A daughter, Cora B. (age 7, born in Minnesota), also lived with the couple.
The 1880 United States census showed Wm. B. Griswold (age 44, born in New York, brick maker) married to Carrie M. (age 43, born in New York) and living in Chaska, Minnesota. Children Cora B. (age 17, born in Minnesota) and Wolcott J. (age 8, born in Minnesota) also lived with the couple.
Mankato, April 18. – W. B. Griswold of Chaska, formerly of the Mankato Union, is in the city, attending the closing exercises of the Normal school. (The Saint Paul Daily Globe, Friday Morning, April 15, 1881, Volume IV, Number 105, Page 2)
William B. Griswold, dealer in lumber and brick, of the firm of Gregg & Griswold, was born near Ypsilanti, Michigan, November 9, 1834. When 4 years old he removed to Quincy, Illinois, his father being principal of the Mission Institute of Quincy. Under his father’s guidance his education was acquired, and when 16 years of age he began teaching. The year following he went to California where he remained until attaining majority, engaged in lumbering and mining. Returning to Quincy in 1855, he entered the law office of O. H. Browning and graduated in law in 1860. The same year he came to Minnesota and was admitted to the bar of the state in the fall of that year. He then began practicing his profession in Chaska, with J. A. Sargent. During 1863-64 he edited the Valley Herald, and the next year moved to Mankato and published the Mankato Union ten years. Was postmaster of Mankato during 1869-70. Returning to Chaska in 1875 he became one of the firm of Gregg & Griswold, dealers in lumber and brick. Married November 25, 1862, Mrs. Caroline M. Lathrop nee Gregg. They have one son and one daughter. (History of the Minnesota Valley, Including the Explorers and Pioneers of Minnesota, Rev. Edward D. Neill, North Star Publishing Company, Minneapolis, MN, 1882, Page 363)
The 1885 Minnesota census showed Wm. B. Griswold (age 50, born in New York) married to Caroline M. (age 48, born in New York) and living in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Children Cora (age 21, born in Minnesota) and John W. (age 14, born in Minnesota) also lived with the couple.
Griswold, William B., b. near Ypsilanti, Mich., Nov. 9, 1834; studied law, and was admitted to the bar in 1860; came to Minnesota the same year; resided in Chaska and Mankato; engaged in newspaper publication, and was a dealer in lumber and brick in Chaska after 1875. [32; 83*.] (Collections of the Minnesota Historical Society, Volume XIV, Minnesota Biographies 1655-1912, Compiled by Warren Upham and Rose Barteau Dunlap, Published by the Society, June, 1912, St. Paul, Minnesota, Page 280)
The 1900 United States census showed William B. Griswold (age 64, born in November 1835 in Michigan, grocer) married to Caroline M. (age 63, born in July 1836 in New York) and living in Chico Township, Butte County, California. A son, John W. (age 28, born in November 1871 in Minnesota), also lived with the couple.
The 1910 United States census showed William B. Griswold (age 76, born in Michigan, lumber man) married to Caroline M. (age 73, born in New York) and living in Chico Township, Butte County, California. A son, John W. (age 38, born in Minnesota), also lived with the couple. A daughter, Cora B. (age 44, born in Minnesota), her husband Frank J. Elliott (age 49, born in Ohio), and her daughter Helen N. (age 10, born in California) also lived with the family.
The 1920 United States census showed William B. Griswold (age 85, born in Michigan) living with his son John W. (age 48, born in Minnesota, lumber company manager) and John’s wife Annie P. (age 26, born in Utah) in Chico Township, Butte County, California.
William Griswold died in 1925, in Chico, Butte County, California.