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Below is a family biography included in The Portrait and Biographical Record of Randolph, Jackson, Perry and Monroe Counties, Illinois published by Biographical Publishing Co. in 1894.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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CHARLES C. GRIZZELL, M. D., of Vergennes, was born November 3, 1859, in Kenton County, Ky., and in the usual manner of farmer lads was reared to manhood. His father, Andrew J. Grizzell, was a native of the same county, and was born July 30, 1815. The grandparents, Solomon and Nancy (Cogle) Grizzell, were natives of Virginia and Kentucky respectively. The former left his native state at the age of twenty-one years, purchasing land in Kentucky, where in the midst of the forest he hewed out a farm. In the family were eight children: Elizabeth, wife of Robert Marshall; William, Andrew, Benjamin; Harriet, wife of John Kleet; Martha Ann, wife of William Ware; Nancy Ann, the second wife of William Ware; and Elam. The father of this family died in Kenton County, Ky., in 1856. His wife passed away when their son Andrew was only five years of age. They belonged to the Baptist Church, in which Mr. Grizzell served as Deacon. In politics he was a Democrat and a follower of Andrew Jackson.

At the age of twenty-two the father of our subject left home and married Catherine Stephens, the union being celebrated in Kenton County, August 3, 1837, He then engaged in farming near the old homestead, and when his father became afflicted with palsy he took charge of the home farm, which he continued to operate until the death of his father. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Grizzell were born the following children: Leonard S., Thomas J.; Harriet Ann, wife of Leander Dameron; George W., Benton; Eliza Jane, wife of Henry Dennis; William H.; Nancy, wife of George Butcher; Mary F., wife of William Pittsford; James B., Charles C. and Edward J. The mother of this family died January 14, 1890, and her loss was deeply mourned by all who knew her.

Mr. Grizzell continued to carry on farming in Kentucky until March, 1861, when he came with his family to Ora Township, where he cleared and developed a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, transforming the hitherto heavy timber into richly cultivated fields. He there made his home until 1883, when he removed with his family to Ava. On the death of his wife, the old home was broken up, and he has since resided with his children. He has long been a faithful member of the Baptist Church, to which Mrs. Grizzell also belonged, and for twenty-five years has served as Deacon. In politics he has been an ardent advocate of the Democracy. His life has been on honorable and upright one, well worthy of emulation, and it is with pleasure that we present to our readers this record of his career.

Charles C. Grizzell, whose name heads this sketch, attended the common schools, and later was a student in the normal school of Murphysboro and also of Ava. His education was completed in the Normal University of Carbondale, and he then engaged in teaching for eight terms in Jackson County and one term in Randolph County, after which he took up the study of medicine with Dr. Davis, in Ava, continuing his reading under the direction of that gentleman for about three years. He was a student in the Missouri Medical College for two terms, and was graduated therefrom March 5, 1889. On the 15th of May he opened an office in Vergennes, and has here acquired a large and lucrative practice in medicine and surgery. He gives special attention to the diseases of the eye and ear, and expects to continue his studies much further along those lines. He belongs to the Southern Illinois Medical Society, and also to the Jackson County Medical Society.

On the 23d of May, 1888, Dr. Grizzell married Ida M. Walker, of De Soto, daughter of Franklin H. Walker, and a niece of Mrs. Dr. Davis, of Ava. Their union was blessed with three children. Beulah, who was born May 8, 1890, died on the 25th of June the same year; Roy A. was born November 26, 1891; and Alves W. was born November 10, 1893. The Doctor and his wife are Presbyterians in religious belief, and take an active interest in church and benevolent work. He is a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellows’ societies of Vergennes, and in the latter has served as Past Grand and Deputy Grand Master. He and his wife are both members of the Rebecca Lodge. In politics he is a liberal Democrat. Among his professional brethren, Dr. Grizzell has won an enviable reputation, and by the people of this community he is regarded as a skilled and able physician, in whom they have great confidence.

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This family biography is one of 679 biographies included in The Portrait and Biographical Record of Randolph, Jackson, Perry and Monroe Counties, Illinois published in 1894.  View the complete description here: The Portrait and Biographical Record of Randolph, Jackson, Perry and Monroe Counties, Illinois

View additional Jackson County, Illinois family biographies here: Jackson County, Illinois Biographies

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