Lillie Griener
Lillie, Gussie, Emma, and Belle
submitted by Janet Miller, RR 1, Box 92, Summit, SD 57266
Lillie Griener (possibly spelled Gryner or Griner) was born June 26, 1868, in New York, NY. Her death certificate lists Lillie's parents as Karl Griener and Patricia Born. I am not sure of the circumstances that lead up to Lillie being on the Orphan Train but family tradition has it that her mother died and her father wasn't good to the children and when it came time for him to remarry, he didn't want the children anymore.
Lillie came on the Orphan Train with at least two of her sisters - possibly other siblings were also on but I have no information on any of the others. The sisters were named Gusie and Emma. The sisters all went to different homes as they went along the train route. Lillie was believed to be adopted by a family with the last name of Davis. We are not sure about this, however. I believe that Lillie got off the train somewhere in the area of Sioux Falls or Del Rapids, SD as she married a Charles Edgar Richardson in Del Rapids, SD on Nov. 10, 1888.
Lillie and Charles Edgar (Ed) had 5 children: Hiram Clayton, Winifred Dorothy, Gladys Jeanette, Flossie, and Emma. The family moved to Summit, SD in 1911 where they lived until their family was grown. In later years of their life C.E. and Lillie Richardson lived with their daughter Emma in Bemidji, MN. where Lillie passed away on 26 Oct. 1956.
One other point of interest in the family story has just come up recently - Lillie's daughter and several of her nieces claim that Lillie was somehow related to J. P. Morgan in New York. I am not sure if this is fact or fiction but the family tells me that Lillie inherited some money, shares in a corporation in New York, and a baby grand piano from some of the New York people. The family still has possession of the piano.
