Once the community of Northhampton (i.e. Chesaning) was established in 1842, Gris-wold played an important role in its initial development.
He delivered much needed supplies, and became the primary means by which mail from the outside reached the settlement. His name also appears frequently in the recollections of the earliest pioneers, as the person who transported them to their new home in the wilderness.
Thanks to his efforts, Chesaning began to grow into a proper village, and in 1848 he decided to move his family from Owosso and settle here permanently.
Griswold continued to operate his boat service for a few more years, but as river traffic became less important as the roads began to improve, so he started running stagecoaches, instead. He seems to have eventually left the transport business entirely (possibly due to competition from the newly arrived railroad) and opened a general store.
In 1872, he left the general goods business and became the partner of Joseph Austin (1829-1886), the proprietor of the town’s oldest hardware store. They ran the store together for many years, until Joseph left for Colorado sometime around 1879, and Griswold became the sole owner.
He was forced to close the store in 1884 due to failing health, and he passed away a few years later, on September 24, 1886.
Few persons have had as much of an impact on local history as John Griswold, and his presence in the area even predates the founding of Chesaning by several years.
Which brings us to the house at 108 Commercial Street, which stands at the same location where John Griswold built his new home after bringing his family to Chesaning, all the way back in 1848.
Local historian Mark Ireland seems to have been of the opinion that the current residence is the same one that once served as the Griswold family home.