GRIFFITH, NELSON W.

GRIFFITH, ATKINSON, HUTSON, ARNOLD, HILLS, ROTTLER

Posted By: Jean Kramer (email)
Date: 3/30/2004 at 15:06:42

Biography reproduced from page 273 of Volume II of the History of Kossuth County written by Benjamin F. Reed and published in 1913:

Nelson W. Griffith is a well known farmer, stock-raiser and dealer in cattle and hogs, residing on his finely improved place of one hundred and sixty acres on section 29, Grant township, which is a valuable property. He was born in Ontario, Canada, January 18, 1869, a son of Esli F. and Isabelle (Atkinson) Griffith. The father, a carpenter by trade, was born in Wayne county, Ohio, of Welsh and Irish descent, while the mother was of English lineage and was born in Ontario, Canada. Esli F. Griffith accompanied his parents on their removal to Iowa in 1853, but later went to Canada, where he spent several years, and was married in Ontario. About 1870 he returned to the United States and settled in Story county, Iowa. He later removed to Creston, where he was engaged in railroad bridge construction, but, subsequently returned to Story county, where he followed farming. In 1875 he removed to Hardin county, where he followed agricultural pursuits for fifteen years. In 1890 he came to Kossuth county, settling in Luverne township, where he purchased a farm, and after residing upon it for three years removed to Hubbard, Hardin county. He later removed to Garden City, Minnesota, where he now resides. The mother of our subject passed away in 1888 in Hardin county. They were the parents of six children: Sarah, who is the wife of C. E. Hutson and resides in Hancock county; Nelson W.; E. Elmer, of Breckenridge, Minnesota; Elijah M., who makes his home near Amboy, Minnesota; William W., residing near Lake Crystal, Minnesota; and Permilla, who lives near Good Thunder, Minnesota, and is the wife of Noah Arnold.

Nelson W. Griffith attended the district schools in the localities where the family resided during his boyhood and remained at home until he attained the age of twenty-two years. He then began farming in Hardin county, being thus employed for five years. In the spring of 1895 he removed to Grant township, Kossuth county, purchasing his present farm, and he has since made that place his home. He carries on general farming, handles good stock and raises and feeds cattle and hogs. His farm, which contains one hundred and sixty acres, is well improved and under a good state of cultivation.

On March 5, 1890, Mr. Griffith was united in marriage to Miss Anna M. Hills, a daughter of George and Christina (Rottler) Hills, both natives of Germany. Her father, who by occupation was a farmer, came to the United States in 1853 and shortly after his arrival was married in Albany, New York, to Christina Rottler. In 1857 they removed to Galena, Illinois, and later, just before the Civil war, went to Jackson county, Iowa. The father enlisted in Company G, Twenty-sixth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, serving with distinction until the close of hostilities. He passed away on his farm in Jackson county in 1872, when his daughter, Mrs. Griffith, was but three years of age. In 1886 his widow removed to Hardin county, where her death occurred in 1900. In her family were seven children: Rosie, residing near Hawarden, Iowa; George, deceased; Thomas, who is living near Colfax; Benjamin, of Stanford, Montana; Anna M., now Mrs. Nelson W. Griffith; John, of Garden City, Iowa; and Lucy, who resides near Stanford, Montana. To Mr. and Mrs. Griffith five children have been born: Roy, who died at the age of one and one-half years; Floyd A. and Earl F., both of whom reside at home and assist their father with the farm work; Gladys Estella who died at the age of six years; and Glenn, who is attending school in district No. 4 of Grant township.

In his political faith Mr. Griffith is a stanch republican and is now serving his sixth year as assessor of Grant township. He has also served for eight years as clerk of his township and has been secretary of the Grant township school board since 1904. For two years he was a director in district No. 4 of the same township. Fraternally Mr. Griffith is a member of the Masonic order, belonging to Swea City Lodge, A. F. & A. M. he is also affiliated with the Knights of Pythias at Hubbard and the Modern Woodman of America at Swea City. Mr. and Mrs. Griffith are both members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Swea City and she belongs to the Ladies Aid Society. Mr. Griffith is one of the exceptionally well known and highly respected citizens of his township. He is a very substantial business man, is popular with all who know him, and is regarded as one of the leading citizens of the community.