John A. GRIER (RIN: 266) was born 20 February 1855 in Davenport, Iowa. He married Mary Matilda RANEY abt. 1881. He died in Iowa. Mary Matilda RANEY (RIN: 267) was born 26 January 1855 in Ohio. She died in Iowa.


Children of John A. GRIER and Mary Matilda RANEY are:
1. Ada Carlotta GRIER (RIN: 268), b. 23 October 1889 See Henry Carleton CASE & Ada Carlotta GRIER
2. Bessie GRIER (RIN: 269), b. August 1882
3. James E. GRIER (RIN: 270), b. February 1886
4. Grover GRIER (RIN: 271)
5. Homer GRIER (RIN: 272)
6. Jesse GRIER (RIN: 273), b. August 1885
7. Harry GRIER (RIN: 801)

Other Marriages/Unions for John A. GRIER:
See John A. GRIER & Elizabeth (GRIER)


Notes for John A. GRIER:

THE KORESHAN UNITY MEMBERSHIP LIST by Claude J. Rahn: John A. Grier; Born: 27 Feb 1855 near Davenport, Iowa.

FOLKS WE KNEW WHILE IN THE K.U. by Marie McCready: "They came to the Unity from the west, and I believe Oklahoma. The two older boys did not stay long, and do not believe they came to Estero. Bessie and Jessie were twins. They came to Florida but soon left. Ada was Lovelle's age. We never thought she paid much attention to her school studies but, when she became angry at
someone, as often happened, and sounded off about that person, the big words she used, and generally correctly, were amazing. Everybody in the dormitory would gather around for it was well worth listening to. She married Carlton Case."

1900 U. S. Federal Census; Calumet Township; Chicago, Cook, Illinois; Film Roll No. 285; Page No. 285; SD No. 1; ED No. 986; Sheet No. 12; Ward of City: 31; Enumeration Date: 13 June 1900; Enumerator: Ernest E. Ellington; Transcribed by Joyce Nelle Ratliff, 24 May 1999; Koreshan Unity: John Grier; Residence: 99th Street, Dwelling 133; Relation to head of family: Boarder; Color, white; Sex, male; Month of birth: August; Year of birth: 1855; Age at last birthday: 44; Married; Number of years married: 22; Place of birth: Iowa; Place of birth of father: Ohio; Place of birth of mother: Ohio; Occupation: Nothing listed; Can read, yes; Can write, yes; Can speak English, yes.

1910 U.S. Federal Census; State: Florida; County: Duval; City: Jacksonville; ED: 84; Ward: 7; Enumeration Date: 23 Apr 1910; Enumerator: George F. Barth. Name: John Grier; Address: West Adams Street (living with A.C. Phillips family); Relation to head of family: servant; Sex: Male; Color: white; Age: 57; Marital status: married; Number of years married: 2; Place of birth: Iowa; Place of birth of father: Ohio; Place of birth of mother: Ohio; Language spoken: English; Trade or profession: farmer; General nature of work: Agriculture; Employer or worker: worker; Can read and write: yes.

1930 U.S. Federal Census; Estero, Lee County, Florida; Election Precinct 12; Koreshan Unity Home; Enumeration Date: Enumerator: William Howell; May 5, 1930; ED: 36-17; SD: 6; Page: 199; Transcribed by Joyce Nelle Ratliff, January 2003: John Grier; Radio set: none listed; Sex: Male; Color: white; Age at last birthday: 75; Marital condition: widower; Age at first marriage: 26; Attended school since Sep 1, 1929: no; Whether able to read and write: yes; Place of birth: Iowa; Place of birth of father: Ohio; Place of birth of mother: Ohio; Whether able to speak English: yes; Occupation: Farmer; Industry: Farming; Whether actually at work yesterday (or the last regular working day): yes; Veteran: no.

FLAMING SWORD; Community Current Events by D. J. Richards; January 1930: "Speaking of beautifying the grounds, we wish to note the good work Brother John Grier, another winter visitor, has been doing in the Unity Park since his return from Iowa, where he spent the summer. In trimming some of the date palms he has revealed a beauty we were not conscious of before."

THE FLAMING SWORD; Community Current Events by D. J. Richards; January 1931: "Brother John Grier has returned to the Unity after an absence of several months. His son, Harry Grier, of Los Angles, Calif., accompanied by his wife, paid the Unity a visit recently, with Mrs. Carlton Case of Fort Myers, a daughter of Brother John. Mrs. Case spent her girlhood in the Unity, both in Chicago and Estero."

FLAMING SWORD; Community Current Events by Max E. Arendt; May 1931: "Mr. and Mrs. L.M. Boomer and children, who had been making their home at River Bend for some weeks, have returned to their home in New York City. Brother John Grier will act as caretaker of the River Bend estate during the summer."

FLAMING SWORD; Community Current Events by Alafae Stephens; September 1933: "Brother John Grier is at home again after spending the past six weeks in Fort Myers at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Carlton Case, while she and her family attended the fair in Chicago and visited other northern points. Before returning here Brother John spent a week at Mrs. Lillian Rugg's, where he had the misfortune to fall, bruising his left eye. It is now much improved, we are glad to say."

FLAMING SWORD; Community Current Events; September 1934: "Sunday the 29th some relatives and friends arrived from Iowa to visit Brother John Grier. The party consisted of Mrs. Grove Grier, Miss Margaret Grier, Mrs. John Pearson, Doris, John and Ballard Pearson and Arthur Trimm."

FLAMING SWORD; Community Current Events; by Claude J. Rahn; December 1935: "Mr. John Greer (sic) who spent the summer visiting with relatives in Iowa is at present staying with Mrs. Lillian E. Rugg in Estero."

Sources for John A. GRIER:

  1. The Koreshan Unity Membership List by Claude Rahn,
  2. Flaming Sword,
  3. FOLKS WE KNEW WHILE IN THE K.U.; Compiled by Marie (McCready),
  4. 1900 U S. Federal Census, Film Roll No. 285; Page No. 285; SD No. 1; ED No. 986; Sheet No. 12.
  5. Information from Vicki Breeze,

Notes for Mary Matilda RANEY:

Also known as: Tillie

THE KORESHAN UNITY MEMBERSHIP LIST by Claude J. Rahn: Matilda Grier

FOLKS WE KNEW WHILE IN THE K.U. by Marie McCready: Tillie Grier:
"They came to the Unity from the west, and I believe Oklahoma. The two older boys did not stay long, and do not believe they came to Estero. Bessie and Jessie were twins. They came to Florida but soon left. Ada was Lovelle's age. We never thought she paid much attention to her school studies but, when she became angry at someone, as often happened, and sounded off about that person, the big words she used, and generally correctly, were amazing. Everybody in the dormitory would gather around for it was well worth listening to. She married Carlton Case."

1900 U. S. Federal Census; Calument Township; Chicago, Cook, Illinois; Film Roll No. 285; Page No. 285; SD No. 1; ED No. 986; Sheet No. 12; Ward of City: 31; Enumeration Date: 13 June 1900; Enumerator: Ernest E. Ellington; Transcribed by Joyce Nelle Ratliff, 24 May 1999; Koreshan Unity: Matilda Grier; Residence: 99th Street, Dwelling 133; Relation to head of family: Boarder; Color, white; Sex, female; Month of birth: January; Year of birth: 1856; Age at last birthday: 44; Marital statys: Married: No. of years married: 22; Mother of how many children: 7; Number of these children living: 7: Place of birth: Ohio; Place of birth of father: Ohio; Place of birth of mother: Ohio; Occupation: Nothing listed; Can read, yes; Can write, yes; Can speak English, yes.

U.S. Federal Census/Estero/Lee County/Florida/1910; Koreshan Unity; Enumeration Date: 25 Apr 1910; Enumerator: Walter S. Turner, Jr.; Microfilm No.: Fl 1910-H T624; ED: 80; Transcribed by Joyce Nelle Ratliff, January 1995: Mary M. Grier; Sex: female; Race: white; Age 55; Marital status: Married 1 time; Number of years married: 27; Mother of 7 children; No. of these children living: 7; Place of birth: Ohio; Place of birth of mother and father: Ohio; Language spoken: English; Occupation: Domestic; Employer or worker: worker; No. of months not employed: 0; Can read and write: yes.


Notes for Bessie GRIER:

THE KORESHAN UNITY MEMBERSHIP LIST by Claude J. Rahn: Bessie Grier

FOLKS WE KNEW WHILE IN THE K.U. by Marie McCready; Bessie Grier: "They came to the Unity from the west, and I believe Oklahoma. The two older boys did not stay long, and do not believe they came to Estero. Bessie and Jessie were twins. They came to Florida but soon left. Ada was Lovelle's age. We never thought she paid much attention to her school studies but, when she became angry at someone, as often happened, and sounded off about that person, the big words she used, and generally correctly, were amazing. Everybody in the dormitory would gather around for it was well worth listening to. She married Carlton Case."

MEMORIES, MEMORIES--DAYS OF LONG AGO chronicle by Marie McCready with participation by Lovelle McCready: Bessie Grier, struck in the stomach by a big fish--page 66.

1900 U. S. Federal Census/ Lake Township; Chicago, Cook, Illinois; Film Roll No. 284; Page No. 14; SD No. 1; ED No. 970; Sheet No. 14; Ward of City, 31; Enumeration date: 14 Jun 1900; Enumerator: Martha H. Philpot; Transcribed by Joyce Nelle Ratliff, 24 May 1999: Bessie Grier; Residence: 6310 Harvard Avenue; Relation to head of family: Boarder; Color, white; Sex, female; Month of birth: August; Year of birth: 1882*; Age at last birthday: 17; Single; Place of birth: Iowa; Place of birth of father: Iowa; Place of birth of mother: Ohio; Occupation: Nothing listed; Can read, yes; Can write, yes; Can speak English, yes. (*Marie McCready writes in FOLKS WE KNEW WHILE IN THE KU that Bessie and Jesse Grier were twins. 1900 Census lists different years of birth for them.)


Notes for James E. GRIER:

THE KORESHAN UNITY MEMBERSHIP LIST by Claude J. Rahn: James Grier

FOLKS WE KNEW WHILE IN THE K.U. by Marie McCready; James Grier: "They came to the Unity from the west, and I believe Oklahoma. The two older boys did not stay long, and do not believe they came to Estero. Bessie and Jessie were twins. They came to Florida but soon left. Ada was Lovelle's age. We never thought she paid much attention to her school studies but, when she became angry at someone, as often happened, and sounded off about that person, the big words she used, and generally correctly, were amazing. Everybody in the dormitory would gather around for it was well worth listening to. She married Carlton Case."

1900 U.S. Federal Census/Lake Town./Chicago, Cook, Illinois; Film Roll No. 283; Page No. 115; SD No. 1; ED No. 949; Sheet No. 12; Ward of City 30; Enumeration Date: 11 Jun 1900; Enumerator: John M. Heimbach; Transcribed by Joyce Nelle Ratliff, 25 Oct 1998: James E. Grier; Residence: West 63rd Street; Relation to head of family: Partner; Date of birth: Feb 1886; Age 14; Single; Place of birth: Kansas; Place of birth of father: Iowa; Place of birth of mother: Ohio; Occupation: pressman; No. of months not employed: 0.


Notes for Grover GRIER:

THE KORESHAN UNITY MEMBERSHIP LIST by Claude J. Rahn: Grover Grier

FOLKS WE KNEW WHILE IN THE K.U. by Marie McCready; Grover Grier: "They came to the Unity from the west, and I believe Oklahoma. The two older boys did not stay long, and do not believe they came to Estero. Bessie and Jessie were twins. They came to Florida but soon left. Ada was Lovelle's age. We never thought she paid much attention to her school studies but, when she became angry at someone, as often happened, and sounded off about that person, the big words she used, and generally correctly, were amazing. Everybody in the dormitory would gather around for it was well worth listening to. She married Carlton Case."


Notes for Homer GRIER:

THE KORESHAN UNITY MEMBERSHIP LIST by Claude J. Rahn: Homer Grier

FOLKS WE KNEW WHILE IN THE K.U. by Marie McCready; Homer Grier: "They came to the Unity from the west, and I believe Oklahoma. The two older boys did not stay long, and do not believe they came to Estero. Bessie and Jessie were twins. They came to Florida but soon left. Ada was Lovelle's age. We never thought she paid much attention to her school studies but, when she became angry at someone, as often happened, and sounded off about that person, the big words she used, and generally correctly, were amazing. Everybody in the dormitory would gather around for it was well worth listening to. She married Carlton Case."


Notes for Jesse GRIER:

THE KORESHAN UNITY MEMBERSHIP LIST by Claude J. Rahn: Jesse Grier

FOLKS WE KNEW WHILE IN THE K.U. by Marie McCready; Jessie Grier: "They came to the Unity from the west, and I believe Oklahoma. The two older boys did not stay long, and do not believe they came to Estero. Bessie and Jessie were twins. They came to Florida but soon left. Ada was Lovelle's age. We never thought she paid much attention to her school studies but, when she became angry at someone, as often happened, and sounded off about that person, the big words she used, and generally correctly, were amazing. Everybody in the dormitory would gather around for it was well worth listening to. She married Carlton Case."

1900 U. S. Federal Census; Calument Township; Chicago, Cook, Illinois; Film Roll No. 285; Page No. 285; SD No. 1; ED No. 986; Sheet No. 12; Ward of City: 31; Enumeration Date: 13 June 1900; Enumerator: Ernest E. Ellington; Transcribed by Joyce Nelle Ratliff, 24 May 1999; Koreshan Unity: Jesse Grier; Residence: 99th Street; Dwelling 133; Relation to head of family: Boarder; Color, white; Sex: Female; Month of birth: August; Year of birth: 1885*; Age at last birthday: 16; Single; Place of birth: Iowa; Place of birth of father: Ohio; Place of birth of mother: Ohio; Occupation: None listed; Can read, yes; Can write, yes; Can speak English, yes. (*Marie McCready writes in FOLKS WE KNEW WHILE IN THE KU that Bessie and Jesse Grier were twins. 1900 Census lists different birth years for them.)


Notes for Harry GRIER:

THE FLAMING SWORD; Community Current Events by D. J. Richards; January 1931: "Brother John Grier has returned to the Unity after an absence of several months. His son, Harry Grier, of Los Angles, Calif., accompanied by his wife, paid the Unity a visit recently, with Mrs. Carlton Case of Fort Myers, a daughter of Brother John. Mrs. Case spent her girlhood in the Unity, both in Chicago and Estero."