THOMAS GRIFFITH

GRIFFITH

Posted By: Jake Tornholm (email)
Date: 4/20/2020 at 13:39:34

THOMAS GRIFFITH, who is engaged in banking and negotiating bonds, was born in Radnorshire, Wales, near the English border, in 1840, the son of John Griffith, a wealthy farmer and land-owner of that country. The former is the fourth in a family of thirteen brothers, and is the only one of this numerous family who resides in America. Three others, however, lived for
a time in the United States, but have returned, and all are now residents of Wales, or just over the borderland in England. Though the father of Mr. Griffith was a gentleman of considerable wealth, having been quite an extensive land-owner, and was able to do well financially by all his sons should they prefer to remain at home, yet Thomas, on attaining manhood, decided to leave his native land and seek a home across the sea. Acting upon this resolution he came to the
United States in 1864, going first to Dane county, Wisconsin, where he remained until
1869. In that year he came to Red Oak, which has since been his home. He engaged first in farming, but soon became a dealer in real-estate, and soon afterward engaged in the loan and banking business, which he has followed since that time. Mr. Griffith has by good management and judicious investments become one of the wealthy citizens of Red Oak. He has been largely interested in farm property, and has been instrumental in improving a large number of farms. He
founded the town of Griffithville, and also platted an addition to Red Oak, known as Griffith’s addition.

In December, 1880, he was married to Miss Mary C. Negus, at Fairfield, Iowa, a daughter of Judge Negus, a prominent and well-known early citizen of Iowa. They have one daughter, Blanche. Mr. Griffith has visited his old home in Wales several times since he has made his home in the United States. The last time, in 1889, he made with his wife an extensive tour
of Europe, occupying over five months. They visited England, Ireland, France, Switzerland, Germany, Russia, Holland and Belgium, also the great Paris exposition. They went to the top of Eiffel Tower, and visited many places of interest during their tour. On their return they encountered one of the greatest Atlantic storms which has occurred, thus witnessing old ocean in its wrath. The tour was highly interesting and instructive one. Mr. Griffith is esteemed for his strict integrity, and for his liberal progressive spirit. His energy is proverbial. He has perhaps
been instrumental in improving a greater number of farms than any other man in Montgomery county.