Griswold was born near Lamoille, Nevada, on October 10, 1890.

A Republican, he served as Reno City Attorney from 1915 to 1926.

Griswold served in the U.S. Army during World War I.

Unsuccessful in his election bid, he left office in January 1935.

Griswold died on October 3, 1951, in Reno, Nevada, at the age of 60.