John Grawn

John Grawn

JOHN GRAWN, sawyer and filer, Newaygo, was born in Sweden, Dec. 20, 1851, and is a son of Andrew and Christine (Rose) Grawn. His parents belonged to the agricultural community in their native country, and emigrated to the United States in 1855. The father was also a shoemaker by trade, and after locating at Salem, Washtenaw Co., Mich., where he bought a small landed property, he found plenty of employ at his bench. The family removed to Sparta, Kent County, in 1861, where the parents are still resident, on a farm of 60 acres.

Mr. Grawn passed the seasons of his early years alternately in farm labor and school studies, and in 1870 came to Newaygo and engaged in rafting for the Newaygo Lumber Company. Not long after the transfer of their interests to D. P. Clay, Mr. Grawn was employed in his saw-mill as a setter, and a short time after succeeded to the position of sawyer. He has since had entire charge of the mill, which has a producing capacity of 30,000 feet of lumber per day. Mr. Grawn is a member of the Order of Good Templars, and owns considerable village property.

He was married in Big Prairie Township, June 3, 1877, to Alice, daughter of Seth Hubbard, born Jan. 30, 1860, in Grandville, Kent County. One child, Philorus was born of this marriage, and is now deceased.

Return to Home Page

Return to Pioneers