He was awarded a Doctor of Divinity by Union College in 1900 and another from General Theological Seminary in 1903.

[citation needed] Griswold was ordained a deacon in June 1885 and priest in November of the same year.

He was consecrated on January 8, 1903, by Bishop William Croswell Doane of Albany.

He also purchased the Bishop's residence and established St Barnabas' Hospital in Salina.

Griswold married Kate Maxwell van der Bogert on October 7, 1885.