Grandon Family Webpage


Fredrick Harold Grandon [Parents] [image] was born on 18 Jan 1912 in Jackson, Jackson, Michigan, USA. He died on 3 Oct 1972 in Sebring, Highlands Co., FL. He was buried in Oct 1972 in Sebring, Highlands Co., FL. He married Gladys Gertrude Hart on 1 Aug 1929 in Jackson, Jackson Co., MI.

Social Security Number: 373-10-0357

Oral History: (From Barbara and Jerry Grandon)
Fred loved to fish and hunt. Took the family camping when young. Only had about an 8th grade education. Worked most of life as a tool and die maker, and was quite good. Company closed in Michigan Fred was asked to go to Greefield, Massachusetts, then Long Island, New York, so the family moved, Brother-in-law Wallace Hart (Bill) also lived in New York. Bill had an apartment in Queens. Fred's family later moved back to Michigan (about 1955) and Fred left the company he was with but continued working with another person as a tool and die maker. Also worked at public schools, and delivering newspapers. Moved to Florida about 1970, Barbara and John Keniroff joined them in 1971 and purchased a trailer park in Dade City where Gladys would reside after Fred's death. Fred died of lung cancer from smoking. Underwent chemotherapy in the early 1970's. Died in 1972.

Gladys Gertrude Hart [Parents] [image] was born on 9 Apr 1911 in Spokane, Washington. She died on 15 Oct 1987 in Sebring, Highlands Co., FL. She was buried in Sebring, Highlands Co., FL. She married Fredrick Harold Grandon on 1 Aug 1929 in Jackson, Jackson Co., MI.

Washington Births, 1891-1919

Name: Glayds Gertrude Hart
Birth Date: Apr 1911
LOCATION: Spokane City
Sex: Female
Race: White
Father's name: Frank E Hart
Mother's name: Nettie C Dermond (sp? Hattie G. Dawson)
Image Filename: 3029

Social Security Number: 373-10-0358

Lived in Michigan after moving there with her father from Washington state. Stayed there with Fred, then they moved to Sebring, Florida about 1970. Moved into trailer park in Dade City, Florida owned by daughter and her husband after Fred's death in 1972, Smoked for many years, died of cancer.

They had the following children:

  F i Barbara Ann Grandon
  M ii Jerry Lee Grandon

Isaac Babbitt Grandon [Parents] was born on 28 Jan 1875 in Greene Co., PA. He died on 4 Feb 1924 in Summit Twp., Jackson Co., MI. He was buried in Mt. Evergreen Cemetery, Jackson, Co., MI. He married Mabel D'Ette Berry on 7 Feb 1906 in Summit Twp., Jackson, MI.

Other marriages:
Wild, Eva Lillian

Photographer in Jackson, Michigan.

Obituary:
Isaac B. Grandon, died suddenly at his home 161 Clark Street, Monday at 1:30 pm aged 50 years. There survive the wife two sons James and Frederick and a daughter D'Ette.
Funeral services at the Knicker-bocker chapel Wednesday at 2 pm burial at Mt. Evergreen Cemetery.
source: Jackson Citizen Patriot Tuesday 5 Feb. 1924, pg. 12. sent by Jackson District Library, Jackson
Michigan, received May 18, 2001, requested obit.

Mt Evergreen Cemetery
2615 Francis St
Jackson, MI 49203-4616
Phone: (517)788-4078

Notes: Isaac B. Grandon was a commercial photographer and printer and worked with his brother (editor and publisher of The Adrian Daily Telegram) at one time. When he and Eva were divorced, tradition tells us that he continued with this profession in the Jackson, MI area and he lived with his second wife Ethel Berry, and their children. (Summitt township). A 1910 census puts him in Jackson Co., with his wife, Father-in-law and two children. Tradition has it that Isaac ran off with his second wife Ethel leaving Eva high and dry. source: typed written paper, sent by Anne Caswell-Fockler received June 9, 2003

Census: 1900, 3 Ward Adrian, Lenawee Co., MI. Taken June 2, 1900. Listed: I. Babbitt, b. Jan 1875; Eva W. b. Oct 1876 wife; Ruby H. b. April 1897 granddau
Census 1: 1910, Summitt, Jackson Co., MI. Taken April 26, 1910. Listed: Isac B. age 37; Mable age 34 wife; Ethel age 3 dau; James B. ag 1 11/12 son; found living with James T. Berry & Mary D.
Census 2: 1920, Summitt, Jackson Co., MI. Taken Jan 20-21, 1920. Listed: Issac B. age 76; Mable D. age 48 wife; Ethel M. age 13 dau; James B. age 11 son; Frederick age 8 son; Mary D. age 5 10/12 dau
Census 3: 1930, Jackson, Jackson Co., MI. Taken May 1, 1930. Listed: Mable age 58; James age 21 son; Mary D. age 16 dau

Occupation: Commercial photographer and printer also editor an publisher of The Adrian Daily Telegram

Mabel D'Ette Berry [Parents] [image] "D'Ette" was born on 7 Nov 1871 in Sycamore, De Kalb Co., IL. She died on 25 Oct 1948 in Jackson, Jackson, Mi. She was buried on 28 Oct 1948 in Mt. Evergreen Ce, Jackson, MI. She married Isaac Babbitt Grandon on 7 Feb 1906 in Summit Twp., Jackson, MI.

Pronounced "May-Bell"

Obituary:
Grandon, Mable D. - Widow of Isaac, formerly of 1402 W. Michigan Ave., passed away Monday evening
aged 76 years. Surviving are three children, James B., Frederick H. and Mrs. Mary E'Ette Jenkins, all of Jackson;
one sister, Mrs. Edna Lyons of Jackson; four grandchildren; one great grandchild. Mrs. Grandon is at the
Knickerbocker-Bates funeral home where services will be held Thursday at 2 pm Burial in Mt. Evergreen.
source: Jackson Citizen Patriot, Tuesday, 26 Oct. 1948 page 20, sent by Jackson District Library, Jackson
Michigan. Received May 18, 2001 a requested obit.

Mt Evergreen Cemetery
2615 Francis St
Jackson, MI 49203-4616
Phone: (517)788-4078

Cause of Death: Cerebral Hemorrhage

They had the following children:

  F i Ethel May Grandon was born on 5 Nov 1906 in Detroit, Wayne Co., MI. She died on 30 Nov 1921.
  M ii James Berry Grandon
  M iii Fredrick Harold Grandon
  F iv Mary D'Ette Grandon

William Alfred Landucci [Parents]

Jill Delaney

They had the following children:

  F i Donna Marie Landucci
  M ii Joseph William Landucci
  F iii Linda Lynn Landucci

James Berry Grandon [Parents] was born on 11 Nov 1908 in Detroit, Wayne Co., MI. He died on 20 Jul 1975 in Jackson, Jackson Co., MI. He was buried in Lester Cemetery, Quincy, MI. He married Maxine Ione Smith.

Obituary:
Grandon, James B. of 605 S. Webster, passed away at him home, Sunday, July 20, 1975, aged 65 years.
Beloved husband of Maxine I.; one son James; several nieces, nephews and Cousins. He was the former owner of the Grandon Printing company; a member of the down-town Kiwanis Club. Mr. Grandon is at Patience Montgomery Chapel, 406 First St. where funeral services will be conducted Wednesday, 10:30 am interment Lester Cemetery, Quincy.
The family will receive friends 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 pm.
source: Jackson Citizen Patriot Monday, 21 July 1975, page 22, sent by Jackson District Library, Jackson,
Michigan. Received May 18, 2001 requested obit.

Social Security Number: 367-07-0485

Oral History: (from Barbara Keniroff)
James Berry worked in the printing business.

Maxine Ione Smith [Parents] was born on 6 Apr 1912. She died on 11 Jun 2000 in Eustis, Lake Co., FL. She married James Berry Grandon.

Social Security Death Index:
Birth Date: 6 Apr 1912 Death Date: 11 Jun 2000 Social Security Number: 383-34-0908 State or Territory Where Number Was Issued: Michigan Death Residence Localities ZIP Code: 32726 Localities: Eustis, Lake, Florida

They had the following children:

  M i James Berry Grandon was born on 5 May 1934. He died on 15 Nov 2004 in Eustis, Lake, Co., Florida.

Joined the LDS church and compiled much of the Grandon family history.
Social Security Number: 379-30-6226

Obituary Sources:

1. Orlando Sentinel, The (FL) - November 17, 2004

Deceased Name: JAMES BERRY GRANDON JR. JAMES BERRY GRANDON JR., 70, Eustis, died Monday. Hamlin & Hilbish Funeral Directors, Eustis.

Orlando Sentinel, The (FL) Date: November 17, 2004 Edition: FINAL Page: B6 Record Number: 0411170062 Copyright (c) 2004, Orlando Sentinel Communications. All rights reserved.

2. GRANDON, James Berry Jr; 70; Eustis FL; Daily Commercial; 2004-11-17; jjphethean

Blond hair, blue eyes, about 6 feet tall
Ham Radio Operator
Loved to tinker with electronics
Loved flying, wanted to build an ultralight
Suffered for many years from diabetes and related complications
Never married or had children
Left home in Eustis, Florida, to the LDS Church when died

Howard Jenkins

Mary D'Ette Grandon [Parents] "Dee Dee" was born on 9 Dec 1914 in Michigan. She died in 1974 in Michigan. She married Howard Jenkins.

Oral History: (from Barbara Keniroff)
Died young of a massive heart attack.

Mary JENKINS SSDI
Birth Date: 9 Dec 1914
Death Date: Jul 1974
Social Security Number: 362-18-4491
State or Territory Where Number Was Issued: Michigan


Isaac McGlumphy Grandon [Parents] was born in Oct 1836 in Green Co., Pa. He died on 19 May 1917 in Graysville, Greene Co., Pa. He was buried on 21 May 1917 in South Tenmile Ba, Graysville, Greene Co., Pa. He married Eliza Matilda Babbitt on 14 Feb 1858 in Richhill Township, Greene Co., Pa.

Other marriages:
, Ruth E.
Riddle, Louisa

Census: 1870, Center Township, Greene Co., PA. Taken Aug 3, 1870. Listed: Isaac age 24; Matilda age 18 wife; David W. age 1 son

Census 1: 1880, Richhill, Greene Co., PA. Taken 1880. Listed: Ezekiel age 66; Sarah age 67 wife; Isaac M. age
43 son; Sarah M. age 17 granddau; Isaac B. age 6 grandson; Mary F. age 3 granddau

Occupation: Shoe Maker

Eliza Matilda Babbitt [Parents] "Matilda" was born on 25 Sep 1842 in Richhill Township, Greene Co., PA. She died on 13 Feb 1875 in Graysville, Greene, PA. She was buried in So. Tenmile Baptist Cem., Graysville, Greene Co., Pa. She married Isaac McGlumphy Grandon on 14 Feb 1858 in Richhill Township, Greene Co., Pa.

They had the following children:

  M i David Washington Grandon
  F ii Clara Jane Grandon
  F iii Sarah Matilda Grandon
  F iv Louisa Mae Grandon
  F v Laura A. Grandon
  M vi James Barnett Grandon
  F vii Ada R. Grandon was born on 30 Oct 1871 in Greene Co., PA.
  F viii Mary Frances Grandon
  M ix Isaac Babbitt Grandon

William Harrison Mounts

Sylvia Jane Scott

They had the following children:

  M i Melvin Elmer Mounts

David Washington Grandon [Parents] was born on 19 Jan 1859 in Graysville, Greene Co., Pa. He died on 21 Aug 1943 in Sterling, Whiteside Co., IL. He married Elizabeth Dakan on 5 Mar 1882 in Weston, Lewis Co., WV.

Obituary:
DEATH WRITES FINAL CHAPTER TO LONG, USEFUL LIFE OF D. W. GRANDON, EDITOR AND
PUBLISHER.
The life story of David w. Grandon is one of rugged individualism and hard work. he was one of the old
school of journalists - the same school that gave birth to William Allen White, Joseph Medill, Charles A. Dana, Herman Kohisaat and a dozen others of the same type - all giants in the newspaper field. He was one of the old school, yes- but he ideas were ahead of his time.
He was born at Graysville (now Harveys) Greene County, Pennsylvania, January 19 1859, the son of Isaac and Eliza Babbitt Grandon. coming from sturdy Pennsylvania stock, he was forces to lend a shoulder to the wheel at an early age. Schooling was little thought of in that ear; instead shortly after his fourteenth birthday, he began his newspaper career on the Waynesburg, Pa., Weekly Republican.
Those were the days of the old Washington Hand presses and hand set type. Young D. W. Was not tall
enough to reach the type cases without standing on a box. the wages at that time were largely mythical; newspaper men took up the work because of their love for the profession, not for what they expected to realize in a financial way.
Born with an inquiring mind, the young printer read everything he could get hold of. Books were not
plentiful; magazines were scarce and only the very wealthy could afford anything but the weekly paper, for which they paid with produce from their farms. He had access, however, to the New York Sun, edited by the brilliant Charles A. Dana, by the equally sparkling Horace Greeley. He followed the editorial thundering of Joseph Medill of the Chicago Tribune and the distinguished Murat Halstead of the Cincinnati Gazette. He read avidly the scintillating writings of Henry Watterson of the Louisville Courier-Journal and of Colonel McClure of the Philadelphia Times. It was this early reading plus a dogged fighting spirit that refused to be downed, that shaped his later years
JOURNEYMAN PRINTER
Those were the days when early printer had to be a journeyman before completing his trade. Having
accumulated sufficient knowledge in Waynesburg, the embryo editor left his home town and "took to the road" traveling from city to city to pick up new ideas. It was one of his most pleasant memories that he was never discharged from a job- that he never left an office to which he could not go back later if he so desired.
He worked at various times on papers in Philippi W. Va.; the Weston World, Weston W. Va.; the Weston
Democrat, Weston, W. Va; the Daily Star Charleston W. Va; Grandon Graphic Charleston, W. VA; McArthur Ohio, Cameron W. Va; of him and his work at that time Judge Edwards a distinguished contemporary and editor of the Weston Democrat wrote in "Lewis County Journalists and Journalism" published in 1931.
In January 1882, a young man from Pennsylvania came to Weston by the name of D. W. Grandon. He
assumed office of foreman and local editor in the Democrat office and was destined to become a prominent figure locally. New equipment was bought and the paper took on an improved appearance; the circulation increased largely as a result."
Paper after paper, "back room" after "back room" gave him the practical experience that was to afterward make him the outstanding country editor of his time. Meanwhile, self-educated though he was, he became a school teacher, teaching a rural school near Graysville Pa. But he was a newspaper man; Love of "the game" called him and he went back to it and on May 30, 1888, at the age of 29, with a wife and three babies and $50 in cash he arrived at Adrian Mich. to take charge of a small weekly paper, the Lance, which had been started in Hillsdale Mich, but after one Issue was moved to Adrian. The name of this paper was afterward changed to the Michigan Messenger.
MAKES GOOD IN MICHIGAN
The rent of the office on the third floor of a business block was $50 per year. The paper had one employ - an efficient young woman who combined the duties of type setter with those of office girl. the setting was typical of the country weeklies of that day and age. Young D. W. tackled his problem with his usual energy. In the short space of 15 years he had bought the Adrian Telegram, consolidated it with the Messenger and had transformed the consolidated papers from small town weeklies in competition with old established papers rich with political power, into the leading country daily newspaper in Southern Michigan - the Adrian Daily Telegram.
He retained the paper for 20 years, constantly forging ahead and ever on the alert to improve it. Them he sold it and seeking new fields went to Ann Arbor where he consolidated the Ann Arbor Times and the News. putting them on their feet for the first time in over a quarter of a century, he sold his holdings and removed to Hillsdale Mich., where he purchased the Hillsdale Weekly Standard and the Hillsdale Weekly Democrat and consolidated them into a daily. Again his ability as an organizer bore fruit. The consolidation was a success from the very beginning. Once more D. W. had made good.
MOVES TO STERLING, ILL
It was in 1915 that Mr. Grandon sold the Hillsdale daily and coming to Sterling Ill, purchased. The Sterling Daily Gazette in April of that year, his sons, the late George G. Grandon and Preston F. Grandon, who had been connected with him in the Michigan enterprises, associating themselves with him in the Sterling venture. in June 1916, they purchased The Sterling Daily Standard and consolidated it with The Gazette. Improvement after improvement was made until The Gazette, like the papers headed by Mr. Grandon elsewhere, became the leader in the field of Illinois county dailies.
THE GRANDON GROUP
D. W. Grandon was getting old in years, but his spirit was still that of a young man. He was a builder-an
organizer who refused to remain idle and enjoy the fruits of his labors. His was the spirit of the pioneer. A leader by nature he was never contented. With the Gazette forging to the front, he struck out for a new fields to conquer. so, in September, 1925, he and his sons purchased the La Salle, Ill Post and later the La Salle Tribune, consolidating them under the name of The La Salle Post-Tribune. gain his shrewdness and thorough knowledge of the newspaper business bore fruit; the two Grandon papers became known throughout the northern part of the state for their fearlessness and accuracy.
But the veteran had not yet achieved his goal. On November 15, 1934, he purchased a third paper, The
Milledgeville, Ill, Free Press, the three newspapers became what is known as "The Grandon Group" On July 15, 1937, a fourth paper was added to the string it being The Erie IL, Independent. Due to the restrictions of the war however, the two weeklies were discontinued early this year.
EVER THE BUILDER
To D. W. Grandon there was no such thing as perfection. His was a constant endeavor to make the best better. In every city in which he resized he took the initiative in civic affairs. He remodeled every newspaper office he ever owned, changing it constantly until he had achieved his goal, then spending countless hours in the endeavor to improve it. He was never satisfied with the buildings occupied by The Sterling Daily Gazette and The Sterling Daily Standard. His was a devotion to an ideal. He wanted to build the perfect newspaper plant in 1935 he purchased the property at the corner of Second avenue and East Fourth street and erected thereon a newspaper building which stands without an equal in the state. Into its construction Mr. Grandon put all of his great fund of knowledge and Experience Not only was efficiency his watchword; he also endeavored by means within his power to erect a plant that would make the work easier and safer for his employees. Nothing was overlooked; nor did he stop there; as rapidly as new improvements were placed upon the market, he has added them. the same thing has been true of his other newspaper plants. Today The Daily Gazette building stands as a
monument to the outstanding county newspaper man of his time.
THE CIVIC CENTER
At a time when his life work was nearly ended and he should have taken a deserved rest, another brilliant idea came to his fertile brain. Untutored in music and the arts he was always a fighter for the best that could be given his adopted city. A lover of youth he saw growing up around him a group of young people whom he felt could not get this training unassisted and alone. He sought for some way to help them. the idea of the Grandon Civic Center came to him.
"Sterling has been good to me", he told those who were in his confidence "I feel that I would like to do
something for the town before I die. what better thing can I do than give to Sterling a center for art, cultured and music?"
The Civic Center was started. he watched its every detail. As various matters came up which were not
satisfactory, he had them thrown out and new features added. The costs mounted but he refused to cease until he had archived perfection; today The Grandon Civic Center stands as a memorial to his perseverance-the most perfect music shell, from all acoustical and artistic standpoint. In the middle west, as attested by music critics throughout the country.
This same love for vibrant youth was demonstrated in another way, he "adopted" a group of 16 young people who were associated together as an amateur orchestra. He purchased uniforms, procured the best instructor possible, lavishing them with kindness. "Why shouldn't I?" he once demanded. "I only know two tunes One is Yankee Doodle and the other isn't. So I've employed these young people to furnish the music for me, and besides, I didn't like the name they'd given themselves, so I let them call themselves The Gazette Orchestra."
ADVICE TO YOUNGER MEN
"Usually the advice of a pioneer is laughed at," he told the Medill School of Journalism of Chicago in an address made November 1, 1923, on "Editorial Ideas" "It is passed by unheeded. Youth must learn by experience. These are mere platitudes, but they have been true since the Stone Age. They are probably taboo in modern universities as being generalities not specifically specific. But this one is certain the men in the newspaper business whose names will go down in history as leaders of their profession were men who never spared themselves who drove themselves to the last limit, and whose greatest joy was in their newspaper work." D. W. Grandon practiced what he preached. He drove himself to the limit; his greatest joy was in his newspaper work. Such was the secret of his success.
FEARLESS WRITER
"The country needs more of the old fashioned personal type of editorial writing," he remarked in that same speech. "When Horace Greeley was editor of the New York Tribune he was known the country over. when Dana was editor of the New York Sun his utterances were household words. when Joseph Medill was editor of the Chicago Tribune he was as well known as Greeley or Dana. "These editor were fighting scrapping, crusading editors. They helped make this country great. They helped
build its foundations on bedrock. Can you conceive for a moment that Joseph Medill ever pussyfooted or compromised on moral questions in his editorial columns?
"This Country this world, needs more heart, more soul, lore conscience in its editorial utterances. The
country editor still retains some of the personal power of the old days and because of his personal touch the better sentiment that continues to make America grow in heart, soul and conscience is holding the ship of state steady and refused to permit big city editorial cleverness to rock the bout.
When he gave utterance to those words, D. W. Grandon was speaking from the heart. They represented his credo, his confession of faith, his motto in the newspaper world. In that speech he mentioned Henry Watterson as being the last of the great old time personal editors. those who worked with him through the years and who knew him best despite that statement "the last of great personal editors was David W. Grandon.
A CRUSADER
Had D. W. Grandon lived a few centuries earlier he would have been a crusader. His was the type of which crusaders are made. he fought for his principles. He weighed his ideas carefully and once he had arrived at Hession he never swerved from the course he had laid out. If its right! Its right; if its wrong, its wrong. he remarked not long ago to the heads of his departments on a municipal matter. I care not whether I win, lose or draw. From the beginning of my career I have battled for principles I am getting too old now to change my methods I realize that in this battle for principles, I am getting
to old now to change my methods. I realize that in this battle we are fighting we are bound to be defeated. But we will have the satisfaction of knowing that we were In the right. that satisfaction is worth far more to me than the mere pleasure of winning."
STONG PROHIBITIONIST
As a small boy, Mr. Grandon embraces the prohibition cause. From that time on he never lost an opportunity of fighting for it. It was his sincere belief that liquor was a curse. publicly and privately, he denounced it. He gave no quarter and he expected none. He realized and often admitted that the battle was a losing one. Yet he never wavered in his editorial denunciations against the liquor traffic. with him there was no middle-ground, no qualifications. yet he did not vote for the Prohibition ticket.
They are going at the problem in the wrong way he asserted Prohibition will never get anywhere by running men for office the way to defeat the curse of strong drink is by educating people against drinking."
SCORNED PERSONAL PREFERMENT
It was this habit of batting for his principles that kept D. W. Grandon from reaching the pinnacles of the
political ladder. He scorned polities he refused personal preferment Some of the highest of places in the land might have been his for the asking. He elected to be a humble private in the ranks to carry on his crusades alone, and to speak his opinions freely rather than accept a place in the world of politics and wear the collar of conventionality.
He hated flattery and hypocrisy. He accepted his own rebuffs with the same smiling complacency with which he gave them. his standing order t his newspaper heads was to tell the truth regardless of how much it hurt. "If a public utterance is made against a Grandon newspaper or against me" he admonished, "Print it. Our readers are entitled to know the opinions of others."
Gird yourself with the sword and armor of truth and sincerity and honest desire to serve your public faithfully, or you will soon be vanquished." he told the pupils of the Medill School of Journalism in the address mentioned above "Think only of the service you can give. If you do this sincerely and efficiently you need have no fear of the Future.
EMPLOYEE LOVED HIM
"if I proved candid to a degree let it be remembered that he would be the first to have it so." wrote Charmion London of her distinguished husband of her distinguished husband the late Jack London. the same thing may be said of D. W. Grandon. Here in his own office the office that he love the office he built and which like himself is unpretensive we who knew him best and loved him most can write without restraint, knowing that he would have us do nothing else.
Great? Possibly not as the world looks upon greatness. Yet, viewed from the angle of those of us who worked beside him he was more than great he was almost a superman. Confound it, You have no boss" he was want to remark when in a whimsical mood. You run yourselves, I take my orders from you."
Such was the case. He never gave orders. His were suggestions. He was a keen judge of humanity. He never hired a man until he had made a thorough investigation. Once a member of his force that man became his friend and confidant his admires his pal, He secured locality with seeking it. He had the record of never having discharged a regular employee. During the depression times he frequently operated his business at a loss, but his employees were all retained.. He held old employees on his payrolls who had long since passed the point of efficiency they became pensioners without realizing the fact, so courteous was he. He took an intrust in the personal affaires of every man and woman who worked for him. In times of sickness he visited them loaned them money cared for them as if they were part of his own family. Even the children of his employees were remembered each Christmas was a suitable gift. Once he reduced his own salary in order to keep an unnecessary employee on the payroll. he felt that it would be a betrayal, of confidence to let that man go because the employee had put his faith in him.
A LOVEABLE OPPONENT
It has been said that D. W. Grandon was a fighter. True Yet when the smoke of conflict cleared away his was the first hand to be extended to a fallen adversary. he bore no grudges nor could he understand why others should not feel the same. He never "cut" an established rate yet his employees will bear witness that he donated thousands of dollars to charity. his was a dual personality. he was the strict honest man of business the fighter, the unrelentless opponent, yet at the same time the public spirited citizen philanthropist and friend of mankind.
His donations to public affairs were countless. he could never resist an appeal for assistance. Many of his donations were never made public. the barefooted boy for whom he purchased shoes, the suffering woman whose hospital bills he paid the youths whom his money helped send through school all will testify to these facts.
KEEN JUDGMENT
His judgement was exceptionally keen so much so that to those who followed his career, he seemed almost gifted with the power to peer into the future. His writings show this gift of prophecy. his conversations with his friends brought it out even more clearly.
He was a brilliant writer and editorialist of the old school No flowery words not seeking after metaphors. he struck Straight from the shoulder telling his story. In words so simple that even a child could grasp his meaning. He was absolutely fearless in his editorial writings, hitting at hypocrisy and mockery with a reckless abandon that was the bane of his enemies. He had the uncanny ability of getting straight at the core of anything he tackled or tearing off the mask of untruth from any subject and showing it up in all its hideous nakedness in fewer words then the average man. He wrote to the very last. His daily column "Watching the World Go By.' was a feature of the Sterling Gazette until his 83rd year; even afterward, he contributed the column as occasion demanded.
SURVIVED BY MANY
Mr. Grandon was married to Elizabeth Dakan while working at Weston, West Virginia. to this union seven children were born. George Gordon Grandon whose untimely death. December 24, 1935 ended a newspaper career destined to become as outstanding as that of his father; Delphia Eliza Westerman of Milwaukee, Wis; Preston Finch Grandon of La Salle Ill; general manager of The Grandon Group newspapers; Jennie Lind Bull, wife of J. Bradley Bull, Sterling Ill; Mae Elizabeth Wilcox, wife of Lyle B. Wilcox, Sterling Ill; Dessa Marquerite Roberts, wife of William R. Roberts, Jackson Mich, one child died in infancy.
The grandchildren are Wilma Kathryn Spreyer, Barrington IL; Richard Grandson Westerman, now of Akron, Ohio, Virginia Grandon Johnson, Kankakee IL; Joseph Grandon Roberts, Jackson Mich; Elizabeth Dakan Bull, Sterling Ill; and David Preston Grandon, La Salle Ill, now in the Army Air Corps and a great grandchild, Georgia Sue Johnson of Kaukakee.
Their are also two sisters, Mrs. Laura Lynch, Cumberland Maryland and Mrs. Lou Ewing, Washington, PA.
source: Sterling Gazette, Sterling Illinois, Monday, August 23, 1943. sent by Mrs. M. Anderson, Sterling
Public Libr. received May 21, 2001 requested paid obit.

Census: 1900, Adrian City, Lenawee Co., Mich.; taken June 9, 1900, listed David; Lizzie; George; Eliza; Preston; Jenny Lind; May; Bessie

Census 1: 1920, Sterling, Whiteside Co., IL; taken Jan 7, 1920, listed David age 60; Lizzie age 65 wife; Mae age 28, dau

Census 2: 1930, Sterling, Whiteside Co., IL. Taken April 15, 1930. Listed: D. W. age 70; Lizzie age 74 wife

Elizabeth Dakan was born on 18 Sep 1854 in Moundsville, WV. She died on 10 Dec 1945 in Sterling, Whiteside Co., IL. She married David Washington Grandon on 5 Mar 1882 in Weston, Lewis Co., WV.

Obituary:
Confined to bed five days, but was not believed to be critically ill.
Mrs. Elizabeth Dakan Grandon, widow of the late D. W. Grandon, passed away at her home, 912 West Third Street, Monday evening at 6 o'clock. the body was taken to the Wheelock, undertaking parlor and will be returned to the residence at 4 pm Wednesday, after which many friends may call. The funeral will be held Thursday afternoon at 2:30 at the home. The Rev. Frederick Waygarden, pastor of the First Presbyterian church of which the deceased was a member, officiating. Burial will be in the family lot in Riverside Cemetery.
Death came quietly. Mrs. Grandon was able to be up and around the house until Thursday, Wednesday she attended a meeting of the Presbyterian Ladies' Association feeling in her natural excellent spirits. She arose to close a window Thursday morning and slipped, since when she has been confined to her bed, her condition not being thought critical. Until the last she continued her keen interest in local, national and international affairs, discussing them with the members of the family up to within a few moments of the time of her death.
Born in West Virginia
Elizabeth Dakan was born Sept 18, 1854, in Moundsville, West Virginia, the daughter of John and Eliza Terrell Dakan. Her girlhood was spent in Moundsville and Roney Rock W. Va. She was married to D. W. Grandon in Weston W. Va. He passed away Aug 21, 1943.
Seven children were born to this union - George Gordon Grandon whose untimely death, occurring December 24, 1935, ended a newspaper career destined to become as truly standing s that of his father; Delphia Eliza Westerman of Milwaukee Wis; Preston Finch Grandon of LaSalle, Ill, publisher of The Grand Group of newspapers; Jennie Lin Bull, wife of J. Bradley Bull, Sterling IL; Mae Elizbeth Wilcox Sterling IL; Deana Margueritte Roberts wife of William R. Roberts, Jackson Mich, One child died in infancy.
Two great grandchildren also survive They are Georgia Sue Johnson of Sterling and Abigail Sawyer of San Jan Bautists, Calif.
Mrs. Grandon was ones of a family of 10 children. Six Brothers and one sister preceded her in death. Two sisters survive her. They are Mrs. Jennie Kirby of Belpre Ohio and Mrs. Lonnie Dull of Toledo Ohio.
Love her home.
Mrs. Grandon was a outstanding woman in many different ways. --- unostentatious, she was an ideal helpmate fro the brilliant man she married. she dearly loved her home, her family. her church and her friends. She was possessed of a brilliant mind and kept posted on the affairs of the day, not only locally, but statewide, nationally and internationally. She was a splendid conversationalist, and loved to discuss the happenings of the hour Despite her advance age she maintained this interest until she passed away.
Love her church
Mrs. Grandon joined the First Presbyterian church when she came to Sterling in 1915, and was Faithful and sincere in her church attendance. She was a member of the Presbyterian Ladies' Association the Sterling Woman's club, and Daughter of the Covenant and the Order of the Easter Star.
Her entire family was together on her 91st birthday, Sept 18.

source: newspaper clipping, Sterling Daily Gazette, Tuesday, Dec 11, 1945, Page 1, 7 and 8, requested paid obit, received Dec. 8, 2001

They had the following children:

  M i George Gordon Grandon
  F ii Delphia Grandon
  M iii Preston Finch Grandon
  F iv Jennie Lind Grandon
  F v Mae Elizabeth Grandon
  F vi Marguerite A. Grandon "Bessie" was born in Jun 1894. She died after 1900.
  F vii Dessa Marguerite Grandon

William Cook was born about 1860. He married Clara Jane Grandon.

Clara Jane Grandon [Parents] was born on 28 Jul 1860 in Center Township, Greene Co., PA. She died on 27 May 1938 in Richhill Township, Greene Co., PA. She was buried in Acklin Cem.,Brownsville,Fayette Co.,Pa. She married William Cook.

Other marriages:
Willard, James W.


Ezekiel Grandon [Parents] was born on 9 Jul 1813 in Greene Co., PA. He died in 1889 in Graysville, Greene Co., PA. He was buried in South Tenmile Baptist Church Cemetary, Center Township, Greene Co., PA. He married Sarah Jobes in 1833. Ezekiel was counted in a census in 1850 in Richill Twp., Greene Co., Pa.

Ezekiel Grandon, farmer, b. 1813 PA. lived Center Twp. GreeneCo., PA. d. 1889 PA. is buried South Twn Mile Baptist Cem. Greene Co., PA.

MARRIAGES by REV. GEORGE LOAR, FAIRVIEW CHURCH, RICHHILL TOWNSHIP, GREENE CO., PA.
Crawford, William \ Sarah Jane GRANDON June 26, 1873
History of Greene County, Pa., by Rev. Wm. Hanna, December 1, 1882.
pages 82, 128, 131, 132, 133, 135.

Page 82: In 1812, Edward Grandon and Debbie Wright married.

Page 128 quote: But I have already mentioned the murder of the Davis family, of which I have obtained the following additional particulars from Ezekiel Grandon, a grand nephew of old man Davis. This massacre was done on the morning of the same day that the Crow sisters were killed. The oldest daughter of the Davis family had risen early and went out to milk the cows. While thus engaged she saw two Indians and a white man stealthily creeping along the fence of the field in which she was milking. Without showing any signs of alarm, she walked deliberately to the house and told what she had seen. This her father and brother refused to believe, as so many rumors had been started that had proven untrue, and derided her declarations as the result of fear. Soon after the family sat down to a breakfast of bread and milk. But scarcely had they begun to eat when in rushed the two Indians whom the girl had said she had seen and instantly shot down the old man and his full-grown son. They handed their empty guns to the white fiend who accompanied them, and he immediately proceeded to reload the same, while the Indians, with their tomahawks, soon dispatched the five younger children, taking the mother and her infant captive and leaving seven scalpless, bleeding corpses lying on the floor. This constituted the entire family, except the daughter who had first spied the savages; who was on the look-out, and, although her report was not credited, still she could not disbelieve the testimony of her own eyes, and as soon as the massacre commenced, (she having refused to sit down with the family), she sprang out of a low window and fled to the fort. Another full-grown son had gone out hunting, and when he heard the report of guns, he concluded that it was the settlers at the fort killing a beef. The bodies of the murdered family were buried in one grave on the bank of Thomas' Fork of Wheeling creek, about three hundred yards from the spot where the massacre occurred, on lands lately owned by the late Armstrong Grim.

Sarah Jobes was born in 1813 in Allegheny, Pa. She died in 1891. She married Ezekiel Grandon in 1833.

ID: I2857
Name: Sarah JOBES
Surname: Jobes Given
Name: Sarah Sex: F B
irth: ABT 1814 in , Greene, Pennsylvania
LDS Baptism: 18 Jul 1998 Temple: BOUNT
Endowment: 22 Jan 1999 Temple: BOUNT _UID: 2E66CA2C523ED611A164E6C491646F273B0A
Note: !MAR: McGlumphy History by Gail Poland Meeks
Change Date: 23 Mar 2002 at 00:00:00 Marriage 1 Ezekial GRANDON </cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=goodwinlivingood&id=I2856> b: ABT 1810 in , Greene, Pennsylvania
Married: ABT 1835 in , Greene, Pennsylvania
Sealing Spouse: 20 Aug 1998 in BOUNT
Children
Isaac J. McGlumphy GRANDON </cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=goodwinlivingood&id=I2855> b: Oct 1836 in , Greene, Pennsylvania

They had the following children:

  M i Ezekiel Grandon
  F ii Rachel Martin Grandon was born in 1833 in Pa.
  M iii Isaac McGlumphy Grandon
  F iv Sarah Elizabeth Grandon was born on 3 Jun 1845 in Pa.
  F v Ruth Elizabeth Grandon was born on 8 Oct 1850 in Pa.

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