B. H. B. Griswold was a farm and an old and respected pioneer of Union County.  He was born in Goshen Township, Champaign County, April 19, 1816.  He was a son of James and Polly (Beal) Griswold, and a grandson of Obadiah Beal, a Revolutionary patriot, who served from beginning to end in the Revolution.  He migrated to Champaign County, Ohio, some time during the war of 1812, and died in that county.  Mr. Griswold's parents were married in Rutland, Vt., and removed to Champaign County about 1814.  They survived the scourge of typhoid fever of 1822-23.  Mr. Griswold subsequently removed to Union County, where he died.  Our subject is the eldest son and third child of seven children.  He passed his boyhood and early manhood on his father's farm, and received such an education as the common schools of the day afforded.  When nineteen years of age, he assumed the payment of twenty-three acres of land, thus furnishing a home for his parents.  In 1850, he purchased his present farm and settled on it the same spring.  Mr. Griswold has cleared and improved his land to a good farm and has always followed its pursuits.  October 30, 1837, he was joined in marriage with Amanda Melvina Peck, a daughter of Thomas Peck.  Mrs. Griswold was born in Hamilton County, Ohio, May 3, 1814.  They were blest with two children-Cynthia J., wife of E. C. Marsh, and Serepta J.  Mrs. Griswold departed this life February 1874.  Mr. Griswold is a member of the First Universalist Church of Woodstock, and in politics is a Republican.  He has been prominently identified with the Grange since its organization in the county, having served as Master, Lecturer and Chaplain.  He was Justice of the Peace of Allen Township two terms and Trustee twelve years, besides other local offices.  Mr. Griswold has been a useful and active citizen.  He owns a good farm, containing 150 acres.