The Griswolds

Walnut Grove has at least 20 members of the Griswold family, many of whom are buried in this area. You may enjoy wandering off the path towards the tall obelisk (image 1) in the section to the left. Here is the monument for George Harlow Griswold (image 2) and his wife Mila Thompson Griswold (image 3). George Harlow was the second oldest son of Ezra Griswold and nade the trip to Worthington from Connecticut at age 8 when the Scioto Company came in 1803. His wife Mila Thompson also came as a young child. "General Griswold" served in the militia and was a veteran of the War of 1812. He was actively involved in the creation of this cemetery and was also the sexton, or recorder, for St. John's Cemetery. He followed his father in performing as justice of the peace, was elected recorder when the village was first incorporated in 1835, completed several terms as mayor and was postmaster for a time. He succeeded his father as owner, operator and lifelong resident of the Griswold Tavern (Griswold Inn/image 4), but his primary income was from rental property.

When he died he owned 464 acres of land in Worthington and Sharon Township. George Harlow's only son, Worthington Franklin (image 5), inherited everything; the rental income and the properties. Worthington Franklin and his wife Fondelia (image 6) had 14 children. "W.F.", as he was known, became a surveyor and civil engineer. He also was a Sharon Township Justice of the Peace as well as Mayor of the village for some time. Of their 14 children, Edith, Caroline, Howard, Edwin, Herbert are here as well as his 8th daughter Ruth. Ruth was the last Griswold woman to live in the Griswold Inn until 1964 when the Inn was torn down (image 9). For the last year of her life Ruth lived with her sister Edith in California. Both women are buried here (image 10/11).

From Stop 4 to 5, continue on Maple just past Beech, where the white Civil War marker for James Hood is on the right.