Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 392-393

JOHN GRIER. The subject of this biography settled in Viola Township on the 18th of February, 1879, having bought a quarter of section 28, and subsequently added to his possessions until he is now the owner of 320 acres of some of the best land in the township. In noting the thrift and industry of this gentleman, who is one of the most solid and substantial residents of Viola Township, we are not surprised to learn that he is of Scottish birth and parentage, his early home having been Ayrshire, where he first opened his eyes to the light on the 1st of December, 1821. He was left an orphan at the early age of nine years and then went to live with his mother's brother, John Young, with whom he remained until twenty-one years of age.

      On the 11th of January, 1848, Mr. Grier was united in marriage with a maiden of his own county, Miss Margaret Dunlap, and they began life together on a small tract of land near the parental homestead, where there were in due time born to them seven children. Of these four are now living, namely: James, who resides in Sumner County, Kan.; Adam, a resident of Nebraska, and George and William, of Viola Township. John died in Illinois, Dec. 1, 1875; Margaret died in Scotland at the age of seven years, and Andrew died in Scotland, June 1, 1866. Mrs. Margaret Grier departed this life at her home in Scotland on the 19th of June, 1862.

      Our subject contracted a second marriage, Feb. 9, 1864, with Miss Janet Small, and in 1872 sailed with his family for the United States, and located first in Will County, Ill., where he followed farming until crossing the Mississippi. He paid $10 per acre for his land in this county, which is now valued at $25 per acre. He has worked the entire tract and has erected comfortable buildings, in the meantime also operating a steam threshing-machine. More fortunate than many of those who came from a foreign land, he arrived here with a snug little capital of $1,500, which he was fortunate in investing judiciously, and now ranks among the well-to-do and successful men of this locality. He is a Presbyterian religiously, and in politics avails himself of the right of a free American citizen to vote independently. Of his second marriage there have been no children.

      James Grier, the eldest living son of our subject, and the child of his first wife, Margaret, was born in Ayrshire, Scotland, on the 29th of March, 1857. He was always a bright and ambitious lad, and even at an early age upon the farm became greatly interested in agricultural pursuits and especially accustomed to the care of horses. He received a practical education, and continued a member of the parental household until the removal of his father to this State. Soon afterward he pre-empted a quarter-section of land in Sumner County, to which he secured a clear title, and in 1887 returned to his native Isle, and on the 21st of August was united in marriage with one of his childhood friends, Miss Janet Dunlap. This lady is also a native of Ayrshire, and born Sept. 29, 1859. Her parents were Adam and Mary (Watt) Dunlap, who were also of substantial Scotch ancestry, and are now deceased. In September following their marriage James Grier and his bride set sail for their new home on the Western Continent, and still continue residents of Sumner County, this State, where they are in possession of a good homestead with fair prospects for the future.

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