Jessie Belle Swisher
1879 - 1962 (83 years)
Generation: 1
Generation: 3
Generation: 4
1. Jessie Belle Swisher was born on 12 Nov 1879 in Vermilion County, Illinois (daughter of Milo Swisher and Mary Jane Smith); died on 16 Nov 1962; was buried in Johnson Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois. Notes:
Recognizes all pupils shown in old photograph
Fourteen appearing in Gravat School group dead, says Mrs. Liggett.
If you are among the many readers of the Commercial-News who cut out the picture published in last Sunday’s edition of the Gravat school pupils of nearly forty years ago you can identify them from this list, furnished by Mrs. Clara Atwood Liggett, 1312 Polk avenue.
Mrs. Liggett, a life resident of this community, and a member of the group of children appearing in the old photograph, can name 14 of the pupils who have died since the picture was taken, and give the names of the same number of married ones.
According to her identification, the two pupils holding the sign are Elvin Gritton and Charles Wheeler. The others are:
Bottom row, left to right: Everett Daniel, Ora Gravat, Grace Starr, Pearl Starr, Dessie Gravat, Fannie Wheeler, Lydia Fairchilds, Laura Fugate, Bessie Gritton, Elza Fairchilds, Ernest Gritton, Elmer Caster.
Second row, left to right: Jesse Smith, Homer Fairchilds, Howard Gravat, Lubina Caster, Tacy Heitro, Edna Wheeler, Effie Smith, Tacy Fairchilds, Olive Gravat, Orville Starr, Charles Vanvickle, Earl Swisher.
Third row, left to right: William Daniel, Stella Daniel, Jennie Daniel, Zettie Swisher, Elsie Heitro, Rebecca Clem, Margaret Fugate, Ira Gravat, Jennie Wells.
Fourth row, left to right: Clara Atwood, Jessie Swisher, John Radebaugh, Stella Radebaugh, Gertrude Fairchilds, Ona Radebaugh, Sarah Vanvickle, Francis Smith, Rosa Wells.
Top row, left to right: Ira Atwood, Harley Gravat, John Hardenbrock (teacher), Charles O. Gravat, Reuben Vanvickle, and Edward Fugate.
The 14 known by Mrs. Atwood to have died since the picture of these pupils, all descendants of some of Vermilion county’s first families, was taken, are Margaret Fugate, Ira Gravat, Gertrude Fairchilds, Ona Radebaugh, Francis Smith, Elvin Gritton, Bessie Gritton, Jesse Smith, Homer Fairchilds, Edna Wheeler, Effie Smith, Ira Atwood, Harley Gravat, and the teacher, John Hadenbrook.
Here are the married names of some of the old Gravat school pupils: Fannie Wheeler (Howard) White, Lubina Caster (John) White, Edna Wheeler (Winnie) DeMoss, Stella Daniel (Coy) Vanvickle, Jennie Daniel [Ernest] Henry, Zettie Swisher (Jewell) Potter, Rebecca Clem (Luther) Cramer, Cara Atwood (J.) Liggett, Jennie Swisher (J.M.) Justice, Lulu Radebaugh (Charles) Thompson, Gertrude Fairchilds (C.O.) Gravat, Ona Radebaugh (Charles) Finley (deceased), Sarah Vanvickle (Clifford) McCracken.
Newspaper clipping from Cora (Gritton) Hedges. Commercial News, Danville, Illinois. No date available.
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/67714807/jessie-belle-justusFamily/Spouse: Frank Morris Justus. Frank was born on 26 May 1880 in Blount Township, Vermilion County, Illinois; died on 8 Dec 1940 in Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried on 10 Dec 1940 in Johnson Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
Children:- Helen V. Justus was born on 1 Apr 1906 in Illinois; died on 21 May 1999; was buried in Johnson Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois.
2. 
Milo Swisher was born on 9 Jun 1849 in Vermilion County, Illinois (son of Lewis Swisher and Sarah Ann Gritton); died on 19 Jul 1897 in Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Johnson Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois. Other Events:
- Census: 1880, Blount Township, Vermilion County, Illinois
Notes:
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/15492862/milo-g.-swisherMilo married Mary Jane Smith on 24 Jun 1875 in Vermilion County, Illinois. Mary (daughter of George Washington Smith and Elizabeth Kemper) was born on 12 Sep 1857 in Boone County, Indiana; died on 25 Jan 1933 in Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried on 27 Jan 1933 in Johnson Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
3. 
Mary Jane Smith was born on 12 Sep 1857 in Boone County, Indiana (daughter of George Washington Smith and Elizabeth Kemper); died on 25 Jan 1933 in Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried on 27 Jan 1933 in Johnson Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois. Other Events:
- Occupation: housework
Notes:
In the 1900 US census, Mary is listed as Mary Fairchild, widow, born September 1856 in Indiana, living in Danville, Illinois; with children Amma L. Swisher, age 23; Jessie B. Swisher, age 20, Rosette Swisher, age 17, Ernest E. Swisher, age 14, and Hazel Swisher, age 7.
LKH note: I have not found any record yet of any marriage for Mary after the death of Milo Swisher in 1897. Also, photograph on Find a Grave of her tombstone in Johnson Cemetery shows her with the the name of Mary Swisher, Sept. 12, 1857, Jan 25, 1933.
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/15492866/mary-j_-swisherNotes:
Married:
Marriage License Abstracts Vermilion County, Illinois 1875-1877. Page 51. Milo G. Swisher, 26, Danville. Mary J. Smith, 17, danville. Washington Smith, father.Children:
- Anna Leona Swisher was born on 1 Jul 1876 in Vermilion County, Illinois; died on 10 Apr 1957 in Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Atherton Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois.
- Luella Swisher was born about 1878 in Vermilion County, Illinois.
- 1. Jessie Belle Swisher was born on 12 Nov 1879 in Vermilion County, Illinois; died on 16 Nov 1962; was buried in Johnson Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois.
- Rosetta M. Swisher was born on 30 Nov 1883 in Blount Township, Vermilion County, Illinois; died on 8 Jul 1971; was buried in Johnson Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois.
- Ernest Earl Swisher was born on 7 Nov 1884 in Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois.
- Hazel Effie Swisher was born on 22 Jan 1892 in Vermilion County, Illinois; died on 2 Jul 1964; was buried in Johnson Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois.
Generation: 3
4. Lewis Swisher was born in Sep 1828 in Illinois; died on 12 Sep 1907; was buried in Johnson Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois. Other Events:
- Census: 1850, Vermilion County, Illinois
- Census: 1860, Blount Township, Vermilion County, Illinois
- Census: 1870, Blount Township, Vermilion County, Illinois
- Census: 1880, Blount Township, Vermilion County, Illinois
- Census: 1900, Oakwood, Vermilion County, Illinois
Notes:
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/137266774/lewis-swisherLewis married Sarah Ann Gritton on 7 Mar 1846 in Vermilion County, Illinois. Sarah (daughter of Milo B. Gritton and Mary Sims) was born on 15 Sep 1823 in Kentucky; died on 24 Mar 1892; was buried in Johnson Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
5. 
Sarah Ann Gritton was born on 15 Sep 1823 in Kentucky (daughter of Milo B. Gritton and Mary Sims); died on 24 Mar 1892; was buried in Johnson Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois. Notes:
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/67741593/sarah-ann-swisherNotes:
Married:
Marriage License Abstracts Vermilion County, Illinois 1826-1852. Page 74. John Swisher, father, and Elisha Goodner signed for Lewis Swisher, Jr. William Gritton signed for Sarah Ann Gritton.Children:
- Lovica Swisher was born on 22 Oct 1846 in Vermilion County, Illinois; died on 1 Mar 1880 in Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Swisher Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois.
- 2. Milo Swisher was born on 9 Jun 1849 in Vermilion County, Illinois; died on 19 Jul 1897 in Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Johnson Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois.
- John W. Swisher was born about 1850 in Vermilion County, Illinois.
- Andrew T. Swisher was born on 13 May 1854 in Vermilion County, Illinois; died on 3 Sep 1933 in Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried on 5 Sep 1933 in Johnson Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois.
- Mary E. Swisher was born about 1854 in Vermilion County, Illinois.
- Harvey C. Swisher was born on 24 Mar 1856 in Blount Township, Vermilion County, Illinois; died on 25 Aug 1932 in Middlefork Township, Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried on 28 Aug 1932 in Potomac Cemetery, Potomac, Vermilion County, Illinois.
- Elijah F. Swisher was born on 28 Sep 1859 in Vermilion County, Illinois; died on 24 Mar 1936 in Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried on 26 Mar 1936 in Gordon Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois.
6. George Washington Smith was born about 1826 in Kentucky. Other Events:
- Occupation: farmer
- Census: 1870, Grant, Vermilion County, Illinois
George married Elizabeth Kemper. Elizabeth was born about 1831 in Kentucky. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
7. Elizabeth Kemper was born about 1831 in Kentucky. Children:
- 3. Mary Jane Smith was born on 12 Sep 1857 in Boone County, Indiana; died on 25 Jan 1933 in Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried on 27 Jan 1933 in Johnson Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois.
- John R. Smith was born on 17 Nov 1862 in Anderson County, Indiana; died on 24 Jun 1933 in Catlin, Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried on 25 Jun 1933 in Johnson Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois.
Generation: 4
10. 
Milo B. Gritton was born on 18 May 1804 in Mercer County, Kentucky (son of Jesse Gritton and Sarah Brumfield); died on 15 Jul 1846 in Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Johnson Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois. Other Events:
- Census: 1830, Shaker, Mercer County, Kentucky
- Census: 1840, Vermilion County, Illinois
Notes:
Wills and probate records. Vermilion County, Illinois
Will records, book C-E 1848-1864.
Page 448
Know all men by those present that we John R. Gritton, John Sanders and Jane Gritton of the County of Vermilion and State of Illinois are held and firmly bond unto the people of the State of Illinois in the paid sum of one thousand dollars current money of the United States which payment will as truly to be made and performed we and each of us find ourselves and heirs executors administrators and assign jointly severally and firmly by these present witnesses our hands and seals this 8th day of August A.D. 1846.
The condition of the above obligation is such that if the said John R. Gritton administrator of all and singular the goods and chattels rights and debts of Milo B. Gritton deceased do make or cause to be made a true and perfect inventory of all and singular the goods and chattels rights and credits of the said deceased which shall come to the hands possession or knowledge of him the said John R. Gritton as such administrator or to the hands of any person or persons from him and the same so made do exhibit or come to be exhibited in the Court of probate for the said County of Vermilion agreeably to the laws and such good and chattels rights and credits do with and truly administer according to law and all the rest of the said goods and chattels rights and credits which shall be found remaining upon the account of the said administrator, the same being first examined and allowed by the court of probate shall deliver and pay unto such person or persons respectively as may be legally entitled thereto, and further do make a ust and true account of all his acting and doings therein when thereunto required by the said court, and if it shall hereafter appear that any last will and testament was made by the deceased and the same be proved in Court and letter testamentary or administration by obtained thereon and the said John R. Gritton do in such case on being required thereto under said duties of the letter of administrator and perform all other acts which may at any time be requires of him by law, then shall obligation be void otherwise to remain in full force and virtue.
Attest
N.D. Palmer, P.J.P.
John R. Gritton
John Sanders
Jane Gritton
Page 449
State of Illinois
Vermilion County
The people of the State of Illinois
To all to whom these present all come greeting.
Know ye that whereas Mil B. Gritton of the county of Vermilion and State of Illinois died intestate as it is said on or about the 12th day of July 1946 having as the time of his decease personal property in this state which may be lost destroyed or diminished in value if speedy care be not taken of the same to the end therefore that said property may be collected and presented for those who shall appear to have a legal right or interest therein we do hereby appoint John R. Gritton of the County of Vermilion and Sate of Illinois administrator of all and or singular the goods and chattels rights and credits which were of the said Milo B. Gritton at the time of his decease with full power and authority to secure and collect the said property and debts wheresoever the same may be found in this State, and in general to do and perform all other acts which now are or hereafter may be required of him by law.
Witness Norman D. Palmer, probate Justice of the Peace in and for the said county of Vermilion at his office in Danville this 8th day of August A.D. 1846.
N.D.Palmer probate J.P.
1830 census,
Name: Milon Gritton
Home in 1830 (City, County, State):Shaker, Mercer, Kentucky
Free White Persons - Males - 5 thru 9: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 15 thru 19: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 20 thru 29: 1
Free White Persons - Females - Under 5: 2
Free White Persons - Females - 5 thru 9: 2
Free White Persons - Females - 20 thru 29: 1
Free White Persons - Under 20: 6
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49: 2
Total Free White Persons: 8
1840 census
Name: Milow B Gritton
Home in 1840 (City, County, State): Vermilion, Illinois
Free White Persons - Males - Under 5: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 10 thru 14: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 30 thru 39: 1
Free White Persons - Females - Under 5: 2
Free White Persons - Females - 5 thru 9: 2
Free White Persons - Females - 10 thru 14: 2
Free White Persons - Females - 30 thru 39: 1
Persons Employed in Agriculture: 2
Free White Persons - Under 20: 8
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49: 2
Total Free White Persons: 10
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/62944015/milo-b_-grittonMilo married Mary Sims on 8 Oct 1823 in Mercer County, Kentucky. Mary was born about 1805. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
11. Mary Sims was born about 1805. Children:
- 5. Sarah Ann Gritton was born on 15 Sep 1823 in Kentucky; died on 24 Mar 1892; was buried in Johnson Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois.
- William Wesley Gritton was born on 10 Oct 1825 in Mercer County, Kentucky; died on 29 Mar 1884; was buried in Johnson Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois.
- Mary Elizabeth Gritton was born in Mar 1828 in Mercer County, Kentucky; died on 12 Mar 1902 in Fort Scott, Bourbon County, Kansas; was buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Fort Scott, Bourbon County, Kansas.
- Nancy E. Gritton was born in 1828 in Kentucky; died in Apr 1895 in Alliance, Box Butte County, Nebraska; was buried in Alliance Cemetery, Alliance, Box Butte County, Nebraska.
- Susan Melvina Gritton was born in 1832 in Mercer County, Kentucky; died on 21 May 1911 in Cleburne County, Arkansas; was buried in burial details unknown.
- Isabelle J. Gritton was born on 1 May 1833 in Kentucky; died on 1 Oct 1840 in Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Johnson Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois.