Clarissa (Clara) Ainsworth Griswold was born to Stephen F. and Jane (Ainsworth) Griswold, July 29, 1863 in Castleton, Rutland, Vermont. She moved to the Argentine, Wyandotte, Kansas in the spring of 1883 and was living with the David G Bliss family where she enrolled in the Wyandotte Normal School on July 30, 1883 to start her educational work as a teacher. She began her teaching career at Lowell school in Argentine during the fall of 1884. On Friday May 30, 1884 at the Fifth Street Methodist Church, Clara was again recognized by the Wyandotte Academy, directed by Professor Palmer, where she received her diploma for outstanding achievements and then addressed the graduating class and audience with a racy description of life in Texas in 1882 titled, "Reminisces of a College Student" where she won the applause and showering of bouquets from the audience. On June 24, 1884 Clara was a bridesmaid for her cousin; Julia Griswold who married Dr. John L. B. Eager at the same church she had attended earlier in the spring for her graduation.
On Friday, June 19, 1885 Clara along with Lizzie O'Brien, Kitty Hooker, Florence Reid, Stella Capron and other teachers from the Wyandotte area attended a farewell party for their good friend Florence (Floy) Betton who would be vacationing in Colorado for the summer. The ladies escorted Miss Betton to Union Station in Kansas City on Saturday morning for a well-deserved sendoff. Clara resumed her duties as a teacher in the fall of 1885 and then addressed the Wyandotte County Teachers Association on November 07, 1885 which was held in Edwardsville, Kansas.
Clara attended a birthday party for David Crawford at his mother's residence on February 27, 1886. Those in attendance were, Miss Culver, Stella Capron, Kitty Hooker, Florence Landrey, Edith Erwin, Kittie Shariff, Messengers, J. T. Bowman, C. W. Porteus, Robin Porteus, Charlie Rossetter, W. B. Blaine, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Simpson, Mr. and Mrs. E. J. Engel, Mrs. Rice and Mrs. Staley.

In December 27, 1886 Clara and William B. Blaine traveled to her parents' home in Temple, Bell, Texas and they were united in marriage on December 29, 1886. William Barry Blaine was the son of John and Anna Malvina (Barry) Blaine. Their marriage produced three children, John Edward Blaine born October 02, 1888 in Argentine, Kansas. Thomas Penman Blaine, born August 08, 1898 in Temple, Bell, Texas and William Barry Blaine Jr. born September 03, 1902 also in Temple, Bell, Texas.

Returning to Argentine after their marriage, Clara resumed her duties as a teacher and was also appointed as Secretary of the Wyandotte Women's Christian Temperance Union on April 20, 1887. After their son, John Edward was born in Argentine on October 02, 1888; her husband took a position with the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroad at Temple, Bell, Texas on October 20, 1888.

Her father, Stephan F. Griswold died July 10, 1906 in Temple, Bell, Texas.
Her mother, Rhoda Jane (Ainsworth) Griswold died June 11, 1918 in Temple, Bell, Texas.
The family returned many times to Argentine to visit family and friends.

Clara was a member of the Women's Christian Temperance Union, a graduate of the Normal Institute of Wyandotte County, Secretary and member of the Wyandotte Teachers Association, all of Argentine, Kansas
Clarissa "Clara" Ainsworth (Griswold) Blaine died August 02, 1950 in Temple, Bell, Texas and is buried along with her husband and parents at Hillcrest Cemetery in Temple, Bell, Texas