THE GRIEST FAMILY

by Samuel Benjamin Cross, 1953

Dr. Joseph Wierman Griest (1800-1859), was born in August 19, 1800 in Adams Co., Pa. and he died in July 20, 1859 in California. He was son of Joseph Griest and Mary Wierman. He married April 16, 1826 at Springboro, Ohio, his 2nd cousin Ruthanna Garretson. He moved from Ohio to Indiana after his marriage. He went to California at the time of the gold rush, hoping to make money doctoring the miners. He died there with cancer.

Ruthanna Garretson (1810-1879), was born in March 3, 1810 in Adams Co.. She died in 1879 and buried in Sugar Grove, west of Plainfield, Indiana. She was the daughter of John Garretson and Rebecca Bateman.

They had the following children:

1) William R., born May 13, 1827 and died September 4, 1830.

2) Rebecca Ann, born August 8, 1829 and died March 22, 1896.

3) William Penn, born October 21, 1831 and died March 13, 1916.

4) Mary Eliza, born September 13, 1834 and died December 15, 1902.

5) Joseph M., born February 19, 1837 and died September 19, 1838.

6) Alva Clarkson, born January 27, 1840 and died August 20, 1880.

7) Almeda Ellen, born July 23, 1845 and died January 23, 1923.

8) Rosamina E., born April 17, 1348, died January 22, 1911.

9) John Milton Griest, born May 9, 1850 and died February 23, 1906.

10) Florence Estelle, born October 17, 1852 and died age 96 years.  

John Milton Griest married Edwina Murdock.

They had:

1) Percy, married May ... and had several children. He then married Eleanor ... and had several children.

2) Charlotte, died of cancer, was attending the University of Michigan about 1891, married ... Kiel, had two daughters.

3) Hubert.

John Milton Griest then married Mary Woods.

John Milton Griest changed the spelling of his name in John M. Greist about 1881 (I think 1891). He lived in New Jersey and then later moved to New Haven, Connecticut.