Griggsb

Transcribed from "History of North Washington, an illustrated history of Stevens, Ferry, Okanogan and Chelan counties", published by Western Historical Publishing Co., 1904.

     BRUCE A. GRIGGS, manager of the C. & 0. Steamboat Company, Wenatchee, Chelan county, was born at Grand Forks, North Dakota, March 30, 1874. His father, Alexander Griggs, was a native of Wisconsin, of Scotch ancestry. At the age of fifteen years he began a steamboat career on the Mississippi river, and was engaged in this line of business for many years. In 1891 he came to Wenatchee and built the boats, W. H. Pringle, Selkirk, and Gerome, and purchased others. These boats he ran up to the period of his death, January 25, 1903. The mother, Hattie T. (Strong) Griggs, is a native of Connecticut, and now resides at Wenatchee. Alexander Griggs, the father, was for a time in partnership with James J. Hill, in the east, the firm name being Hill & Griggs.
     Our subject was reared and educated in North Dakota, graduating from the high school and the North Dakota University, at Grand Forks. Since coming to Wenatchee he has been engaged in the steamboat business exclusively, and has held master's and pilot's papers since 1898. He has three brothers, Clifford C., James J. H., and Ansel, and three sisters, Lois A. Pringle, Mary J., and Esther M. Seaman.
     At Hinsdale, Illinois, January 16, 1896, our subject was united in marriage to Rose E. Bassett, a native of North Dakota. Her father is a merchant of Brewster, Washington. Her mother, Alice (Goodrich) Bassett, is dead. Mrs. Griggs has one brother, John E., living at Brewster. Her child, Alexander, is aged five years. Both herself and husband are members of the Episcopal Church. Mrs. Griggs is a highly accomplished lady, having been educated at the University of North Dakota, and is a cultured performer on a number of musical instruments.
     Mr. Griggs' political affiliations are confined to neither one of the dominant parties, he being an Independent. He is a member of Valley Lodge, No. 116, K. P., and the Commercial Club.