Grinnell attained an international reputation and was praised by Frances Willard, Susan B. Anthony, Lady Somerset, and others.

[3][4] Katherine Van Allen was born in Pillar Point, Jefferson County, New York, April 20, 1839.

[4] About 1879, after the children were born and Grinnell had reached the age of 40, she took up seriously spiritualistic study, began devoting her time to the propagation of her theories, and wrote much upon that subject,[6] attaining prominence as a teacher and writer of the scientific principles of the social order.

She advocated the social system based upon the scientific discoveries in Book of life; or, Spiritual, social, and physical constitution of man by Dr. Alesha Sivartha (1898, Stockton, Press of Leroy S. Atwood), Sivartha being one of several pen names used by Dr. Arthur Merton.

[7] Grinnell edited and published The Logos, a periodical devoted to the discoveries and doctrines of Sivartha.

[6] Active in public work, she believed that women should not compete with men in governmental affairs, but should co-operate with them.

William E. Grinnell, in October 1915, and remained until the summer of 1916, when she went to New York City, became ill, and never recovered.