EARL GRIGSBY

1887-1975

 Earl Shriver Grigsby was born November 28, 1887 in Pittsfield, Illinois. His interests as a boy went the way of most young men, horses, hunting and occasional bird watching. After graduating from high school and attending business school in Springfield, he took his first job as a clerk at the grocery store in Detroit, which required him to ride his horse back and forth to work everyday.

 At the age of 21, Earl was asked to work at Farmers State Bank by Ross Matthews, who was then acting as the bank's cashier. He started working at the Bank on October 1, 1908, and worked continuously to the day of his death.

 Earl married Helen Lewis, the great-grandaughter of Colonel William Ross, in 1909 and the couple celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary before her death in 1970.

 On February 5, 1916, Earl Grigsby was appointed as cashier of the bank and went on to serve as director and senior operating officer until his death on February 8, 1975.

 During his long lifetime, Earl was active in many community affairs. Among his favorites were the Pittsfield Lions Club and the Congregational church choir. He was an avid duck hunter and was also well-known for his well tended gardens.

 Earl Grigsby loved his work at Farmers State Bank and the people of Pike County. He was proud of the Bank and proud of its customers, most of whom he had known since they were children. He loved his community and was totally immersed in all aspects of its activities.

 As was reported in the Pike Press, Wednesday, February 12, 1975, "Anyway you look at it, he was a remarkable man."