The Browne School Teachers - 1911/1913: Grace Griffin

Grace Griffin was the Browne school teacher for two school years:  1911 - 1912 and 1912 - 1913, following Mary Jordan who taught the 1910 - 1911 school year.

Marie* Grace Griffin was born March 21, 1884 in Shabbona Grove, DeKalb county, Illinois to Mary (Rochford) and Joseph Griffin.   Grace first appears on the 1900 US Census living (lines 72 - 82) in Shabbona township, DeKalb county.    In addition to Grace, the household members consisted of her mother and father as well as her siblings, John, Harvey, Joseph, Charles, Earl, Harold, Irene and Gertrude.

By the time of the 1910 US Census, the family had moved to Afton township.   Grace was living (lines 1 - 10) with her parents Joseph and Mary and siblings, Harvey, Charlie, Earl, Harold, Irene, Margaret and Eleanor.    The census indicates Grace was employed as a school teacher for a rural school.

The Griffin family was renting so it's difficult to verify which home they were living, but apparently they lived near the homes owned by Charles Johnson and John Johnson, located in Section 10 of Afton township.   This location is relatively close to the Browne school, due west in Milan township, the adjoining township.

Grace married William John Potter of Gross Point Farms, Michigan on April 17, 1915 in Sycamore, DeKalb county, Illinois.   Page 2 of The True Republican announced the couple had obtained a marriage license in their April 24, 1915 edition of the paper.

The Potter family moved to Grosse Point Farms, Michigan according to the 1920 US Census.   Grace was living (lines 85 - 91) with her husband, William John and their children, Edith and John, Grace's step-children, Anne and James as well as a niece, Agnes Sullivan.   

Grace was no longer teaching, but both her husband and step-daughter, Anne were employed as teachers at a public school.

By 1930, the family moved back to DeKalb, DeKalb county, Illinois.   The 1930 US Census lists Grace living (lines 93 - 100) with her husband William, their children Edith, Gerald and Mary.   Also living in the household were Grace's step-daughter Anne, her husband John and their son, John.

By 1930, Grace had returned to teaching and was employed at a country school as was her husband.

I have been unable to locate the 1940 US Census.   A census for that year from Michigan indicates a William Potter was living in a home for the aged but I am unable to confirm whether it was Grace's husband.

Grace passed away on June 6, 1978.   Her memorial can be found here.    Her obituary was published in the June 7, 1978 edition of The DeKalb Daily Chronicle.

*I have seen Marie and Maria.   I am not sure which is correct.