Obituary


Abner Monroe Grigg

Obituary from: The Dahlgren Echo, Thursday, January 27, 1910

*Contributed by Sandy Rogers Mort.  Thanks, Sandy!

DAHLGREN ECHO

Dahlgren, Illinois Thursday, January 27, 1910


A.   M. GRIGG PASSED AWAY FRIDAY AT 9 P.M.

A Leading Citizen of the Town and County.  
An Advocate of all Things That Better Humanity.

That Dahlgren has lost one of her foremost and best citizens is the concensus of opinion as the news spread over the town Sunday morning that A. M. Grigg, who has been sick for so long and whose recovery so many have hope, passed away.

Abner Monroe Grigg was born in Cleveland Co., North Carolina February 27, 1837, departed this life at Dahlgren, Illinois, January 21, 1910 at the age of 72 years 11 months and 24 days.

He grew to manhood in his native county and learned the trade of blacksmithing and machinist and was engaged in a cotton factory until his removal to the Confederate Army where he was wounded and was honorably discharged for disabilities and returned to his home in Cleveland Co.

In 1867 he removed with his family to Hamilton-co Illinois and settled on a farm about 6 miles south of Dahlgren where he followed farming for seventeen years and accumulated considerable property.  In 1884 he began merchandising in Dahlgren and that date marks the beginning of the business growth in this village and to the push and energy of A. M. Grigg the town is largely indebted for the prominent place it now holds as a leading business center.  In his business his buildings and much of his stock has twice been destroyed by fire but his ability, his indomitable will coupled with the confidence reposed in him by all who knew him, enabled him to rally from these reverses and again take front rank among our hustling business men.

Mr. Grigg was implicitly trusted by those who knew him and in official capacity has repeatedly served them as school director, assessor, collector, justice of the peace and four terms as supervisor in which capacity he was serving them at the time of his last illness, and the poor and the needy, the suffering and the afflicted had no better friend than he.  Tenderhearted as a child he was ever responsive to the appeals of those needing help and was liberal of his own means for their relief. They will miss him.

He was closely identified with the business of the town and county and was a liberal supporter of charitable and religious organizations and in the forefront of instrumentalities for the betterment of humanity and as an officer was especially watchful for the conservation of the financial interests of the people, as was clearly shown by his action as chairman of the finance committee and board of supervisors, which resulted in a more careful management of the affairs of the county.   He counted among his enemies, if he had any, those who would have accumulated by wronging the people; he counted among his friends all who delight in uprightmanhood.

In politics he was a Democrat but was so independent that he would not support a bad man for office, and detested all unfair or questionable methods for any purpose but continually asserted that any party which advocated wrong doing ought to be defeated.

Summing up all his qualities we may Truly say “He was a man”.

On February 28, 1856 he was married to Phoebe Davis in Cleveland County, North Carolina.  To this union were born fourteen children some of whom, D. F., John R., Charles F., Albert M., Sarah J. now Mrs. Porter, Mary E. now Mrs. Jones, Martha J. now Mrs. Whited, Minnie N., now Mrs. Wood and  Addie B. now, Mrs. Morgan, with the widow, 28 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren and a large circle of friends are left to mourn their loss.

About thirty years ago he made a profession of religion and joined the Baptist church at Sugar Camp from which he got a letter which was not handed in to any other organization but his life has been the warrant for his correct thinking and shortly before his death he expressed a good hope for the future and a readiness to go when called.  On Friday night he asked his wife for his money and said, “I am going home.”  Immediately he sank and in a few seconds he breathed no more.  The spirit had fled. The frail tenement of clay was left.  The mortal remained.   Although not unexpected yet we are never ready for the change, the loss of our dear ones comes as a shock.

The funeral services were held Sunday at the Baptist church, conducted by Rev. J.D. Hooker, assisted by Rev. W. C. Harms and Rev. J. H. Allen.  In his sermon Rev. Hooker paid a glowing tribute to the deceased as a citizen and especially as a man and his tribute was ably seconded by both the other speakers.  The church could not accommodate the large crowd even with standing room and a large procession followed the remains to Richardson Hill where internment was by the Odd Fellows of which order Mr. Grigg was an honored member and to whom they acknowledge the debt of having saved the charter of the lodge in the years of its struggle for existence.  He was a charter member of the Rebeka lodge here and that organization was out in full to do him honor.

Dahlgren has lost a man whose place it will be hard to fill.



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