The Griswold family were early settlers to Vermontville, Michigan. One family member, Roger W. Griswold, was proprietor of a farm and general store in Vermontville in the mid-nineteenth century. Another, Joseph B. Griswold (born 1842) attended Vermontville Academy and entered Michigan Agricultural College in 1858. He enlisted in the Second Michigan Cavalry in August 1861. He was discharged one year later because of a disability. After recovering, he attended the University of Michigan Department of Medicine and Surgery, 1863-1864, then re-enlisted as an assistant surgeon with the Fourth Michigan Infantry. He rose to the rank of Major and became Medical Inspector of the Department of San Antonio and had medical charge of the military prison there. After the war, he entered Rush Medical College, graduating in February 1868. He practiced medicine in Minnesota for six years, then in 1874 moved to Grand Rapids.
From the guide to the Griswold family papers, 1837-1915, (Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan)
