Marion E. Griffin, 1844-1925

GRIFFIN

Posted By: Clay County IAGenWeb Coordinator (email)
Date: 7/2/2012 at 20:01:42

Marion E. Griffin was perhaps the best known man in Northwest Iowa, not perhaps personally, but in a business way.

Mr. Griffin was an old resident of northwest Iowa, coming here a young man, and as he once told the writer, all he had was a silk tile hat, a good suit of clothes and less than a dollar in money.

From the first he was frugal. He never spent as much us he earned. He lived carefully and economically. He early began to accumulate, and he made his earnings earn more. He was honorable. All obligations were met promptly, and he wanted others to do the same with him.

In one sense of the word, Mr. Griffin was not public-spirited, in that he did not participate in any of the activities of the community, but still his resources were available for worthy enterprises. He was the main giver to the Lincoln boys club building, he gave the residence just south of the club, the income to be used in support of the club, and in his will he left this club $10,000. He was a liberal giver to the Masonic Temple, and he made as large a donation to the county fair as anyone.

When Grace M. E. church was built Mr. Griffin made very liberal donations, and since has aided the church.

Mr. Griffin was always pleased to see this community prosper and grow, and to the writer he has pictured out that in his judgment, Spencer would become a much larger place as the country grew older.

Mr. Griffin was engaged in the banking business here for years. His banking methods were never questioned and he had the full confidence of the community.

Mr. Griffin, to his friends, was a genial man, and he enjoyed visiting.

He was the type of man who, if he liked you, wanted you to know it, and if he did not like you was equally frank.

An illustration of his character may be told. Since the present deflation period came on, a business firm in this city saw a real chance to make some money. They did not do business with Mr. Griffin, and they were indebted some and money was hard to get. Mr. Griffin offered the firm the money to take advantage of the business opportunity, and they cleaned up a tidy sum of money on it. This typical of Mr. Griffin. He gave a helping hand to worthy people.

These cases could be multiplied without number. He had a big warm heart.

He gave liberally to assist those in distress. His gifts to the poor were not heralded from the housetops, but many a home was made brighter by his gifts.

He lived a long and busy life and got much pleasure as he went over the journey.

He is going to be missed, but for many years he will be remembered, for his benefactions in his will.

Source: Spencer Reporter, Spencer, Clay County, Iowa; October 21, 1925.

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M.E. GRIFFIN PASSED AWAY YESTERDAY
Wealthy Pioneer Banker Dies After Lingering Illness

M.E. Griffin, pioneer Clay county real estate man and banker, died Wednesday morning at 11:46 o'clock.

His death occurred at his apartments in the rear of his private bank in Spencer, where he had been confined for the past ten days with a mild heart attack. His health had been very poor for several
years.

He was 81 years old at the time of his death, having celebrated his 81st birthday last Saturday. The youngest of seven sons, he is survived only by three nieces, Miss Mary K. Griffin, Miss Lizzie Griffin, and Miss Sadie Griffin, all residents of Manchester, Iowa, and a nephew, Burdette Griffin, of Chicago.

He will be buried in Riverside cemetery, by the side of his mother, Mrs. James Griffin.

Dr. H. O. Green, who, with Dr. T.H. Johnston, was in attendance on Mr. Griffin at the time of his death, gave the cause of death as "heart failure from exhaustion," adding that Mr. Griffin had been a victim of "venous congestion for two or three years, and that death was due to a general breaking down of the heart muscles under too heavy a load."

In Bad Health for Several Years

Mr. Griffin had during recent years spent several seasons at Battle Creek Sanatorium, and last November went to the Glendale Sanatorium at Glendale, California, where he remained until last August. He became ill almost as soon as he returned, and has been confined to his bed much of that time, although on occasions he has been well enough to attend to his work as usual.

He had a mild heart attack a week ago Tuesday, and a nurse, Miss Iowa Schoenewe, has been in attendance upon him since that time. Following this attack his health grew steadily worse.

Mr. Griffin was one of the earliest of Clay county pioneers—he established a private banking business in 1869, although he was first a resident of Peterson. He was a resident of Spencer from December, 1871, to the date of his death, living during most of those years in the apartments in the rear of his present bank building, which was built in 1881. Prior to that time his banking business had been located on the opposite side of Main street, just above, second—at that time in the center of the business district.

Large Owner of Real Estate

He was one of the largest real estate holders the county has ever known—perhaps the largest, for his holdings are known to total several thousands of acres. He was owner for a number of years of the famous Griffin Ranch, southwest of Spencer—one of the largest farms in this part of Iowa. He was not an extensive dealer in business real estate in Spencer, preferring to limit himself to farm lands.

Politics early attracted him, for he was elected county treasurer in 1870, a year after moving to the county, taking office in January, 1871, and holding the office for a period of six years. During the early years of Clay county's political history, he was a leader of one faction of the Republican party here, while Dr. Charles
McAllister, a leader in the political and financial circles of the day, was his opponent as the head of the other group. However, after his retirement from public office he took an increasingly small part in politics, finally dropping out altogether to devote himself to his business.

Leader In Masonic Work

A devoted exponent of the principle of personal control of business, he kept in very close touch with the affairs of his bank, even during the years of his growing ill health. Known as a plain, simple, and straightforward man for more than fifty years a leader in the affairs of his community, he was respected by all who knew him and who had intimate relations with him.

He was one of the founders of Masonic work in Spencer—he was a Mason, a Knight Templar, and a Shriner, being a member of Abu Bekr Shrine at Sioux City. He was the third master of the Evening Shade Lodge 312, A.F. & A.M., holding that office during the years 1876 and 1877, and was also a member of the Elks.

Born October 10, 1844

Marion E. Griffin was born on October 10, 1844, in the town of Brookfield, New York, son of Mr. and Mrs. James Griffin. He was the youngest of seven sons, none of whom survive him, Norman, the last of his brothers, having died in 1916.

At the age of fifteen he was sent to public school at Utica, New York, but in April, 1860, the family moved to Delhi, Iowa, where he entered tho Epworth Seminary at Epworth, Iowa. In August, 1862, he enlisted in the United States army at Dubuque, Iowa, joining Company F, 21st Iowa Infantry. He was mustered out of service in July, 1865, and then took a business course in the famous Bryant and Stratton School in Chicago.

In 1866 he entered a wholesale grocery at Dubuque, Iowa, as bookkeeper, later removing to Waterloo, Iowa, where he served as cashier of the private bank of C. A. Farwell. In June, 1869, he removed to Algona, Iowa, where he opened an abstract office; however, in October he moved to Peterson, Clay county, Iowa.

He was a resident of the city of Spencer from December, 1871, until the time of his death.

Once County Treasurer

Mr. Griffin was one of the pioneer county treasurers of Clay county and was one of the first, if not tho first, man in Spencer to own a safe. Even before he was county treasurer, public funds were kept in his safe and private individuals also deposited their money with him for safekeeping.

He was first elected county treasurer in 1871, polling 350 votes to 232 for S. W. Dubois, the former incumbent. Two years later he was re-elected with 408 votes but lost in 1875 to J.C. Tabor, getting 309 votes to 328 fur the victor. Running for the office again in 1877, Mr. Griffin was elected with 363 to 268 for his opponent, J. Messenger. After serving this term, Mr. Griffin was not again a candidate.

Many eccentric moves are credited to Mr. Griffin, while many laudable acts are likewise told of him.

Perhaps one of his most odd moves was almost twenty years ago when he sued Knox Walters for a 25-cent telephone account. The case was tried in Justice's court and Mr. Griffin brought in witnesses from as far away as Kentucky. The costs in the case amounted to $116.80 and judgment against Walters for both the costs and the account was entered in Clay county district court on a transcript, from Justice's court. Although the official records do not show any payment, it is said Mr. Walters paid up the matter and then Mr. Griffin returned him half the money.

Smoked In a Pullman

Several years ago Mr. Griffin made a trip to California and this story, which was given out as the truth, is told of him. He was smoking in the Pullman and the porter asked him to quit. He kept right on smoking and later the brakeman asked him to quit. But Mr. Griffin was enjoying his cigar and continued to puff away. Then came the conductor, who informed him it was against the rule to smoke in the Pullman and that he would find a smoking compartment in the rear. "How much do you get a month?" Mr. Griffin asked. "Two hundred and fifty dollars," replied the conductor. "If they fire you because I'm smoking in here I'll pay you $300 a month for the rest of your life," replied the Spencer banker. And he smoked in the Pullman any time he wanted to all the way to California.

On the other hand, many laudable stories are told of Mr. Griffin. He gave of his money whenever it pleased him and how it pleased him. He was a generous contributor to the building of the Methodist church and is credited with donating the pipe organ in the building.

Likewise, it is said his money was instrumental in building the Lincoln Boys club. He is said to have been a contributor to the Spencer hospital without his name being mentioned and provided for several needy families in the city.

Source: Spencer News Herald, Spencer, Clay County, Iowa; October 15, 1925.

Interment in Riverside cemetery
 

Clay Obituaries maintained by Kris Meyer.
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