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- O E GRISWOLD DIES AT HOME
Largely attended funeral services were held for O Edmund Griswold at his late residence, 225 Osborne avenue, Riverhead, on Saturday afternoon, with the Rev Charles W MacLean, rector of Grace Episcopal church, officiating. Interment was in the Riverhead cemetery, the services at the grave being in charge of Riverhead Lodge F&AM, of which Mr Griswold had been a member for many years.
Mr Griswold, who was one of Riverhead's most prominent and highly regarded residents, died at his home on Thursday morning. He had been in failing health for a number of years. About two weeks ago he was stricken with a serious illness and was placed under an oxygen tent. He responded to the treatment and the day before he died there appeared to be a substantial improvement in his condition.
O Edmund Griswold was born at Lake Grove, but had been a resident of Riverhead since he was about seven years old. He was the son of the late Elijah Griswold and Matilda Ackerly Griswold. His father engaged in the cigar manufacturing business in Lake Grove in 1868 and some years later moved to business to Riverhead. As a young man, O Edmund Griswold was taken into the business and the firm name changed to E Griswold & Son. The firm manufactured millions of high grade cigars, its leading brand being Griswold's Diploma. All of the Griswold brands ejoyed a splendid reputation and a wide sale throughout Long Island and elsewhtere. The firm gave employment to many persons. Many years later Edward H Albertson, (who died a number of years ago) who like his father before him, was engaged in the wholesale candy business, was admitted to the Griswold firm, the Albertson candy business being added to the cigar manufacturing business and the firm name changed to E Griswold & Co. A number of years later the firm retired from cigar manufacturing and devoted all of its attention to the wholesale candy business, building up a large and profitable trade in all sections of Suffolk County. Mr Griswold retired from active business in 1930, and the wholesale candy business has since been conducted by his son-in-law George W Young.
Mr Griswold was a former director and vice-president of the Suffolk County Trust Co., a former trustee of the Riverhead Savings Bank and one of the organizers and a former director of the Long Island State Bank & Trust Co of Riverhead. He resigned as a trustee of the Riverhead Savings Bank and as a direction of the Long Island State Bank & Trust Co in 1930.
Following his retirement from active business, Mr Griswold, who was then in failing health, spent his winters in Hendersonville, NC and his summers in Walton, NY, up until about five years ago, when he made Clearwater, FL his winter home and resided in Riverhead during the summer months. He decided to remain in Riverhead this winter and a few months ago he purchased the residence of Mr an Mrs Henry L Ruland on Osborne avenue. For many years, while they were sojourning in Riverhead, Mr and Mr Griswold had occupied the homestead of his father, corner of Griffing avenue and Lincoln street.
Mr Griswold was one of the sponsors of the Riverhead municipal water district, and he served as one of its first Commissioners, and also as secretary, continuing in those capacities and serving without compensation for about 15 years, until the Board of Water Commissioners was abolished and the water district affairs were placed under the jurisdiction of the Riverhead Town Board. He rendered the District the highest type of service.
During the last four years of President Woodrow Wilson's administration, Mr Griswold served as postmaster of Riverhead, in which position he manifested the same high standard of efficiency and the same high type of public service that he had shown as a Commissioner and as secretary of the Water District. His father was postmaster of Riverhead during the last four years of President Grover Cleveland's administration.
As a young man Mr Griswold was one of the stars on the crack Riverhead baseball team, which was one of the outstanding teams of Suffolk County. He was a member of Riverhead Lodge, F&AM, Roanoke Lodge, IOOF, and was an exempt volunteer fireman.
In his contacts with those who were in the employ of his firm and with the public at large he was always very considerate, courteous and helpful. He was a splendid citizen in every respect and his passing, which is a distinct loss to Riverhead, is sincerely mourned.
Surviving Mr Griswold are his widow, Kathrine C Griswold; two daughters, Mrs George W Young of Riverhead, and Mrs Roy Hopkins of Stamford, NY and four grandchildren.
Obit was published in the County Review on Dec 2, 1943 p3
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1870 - 1943 (73 years)