Griffith, Gwynne J.

GRIFFITH, MORGANS

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, Plym. CC (email)
Date: 2/21/2005 at 17:39:45

Gwynne J. Griffith

Among the many well-known and successful farmers of Garfield Township, Plymouth County, who are of foreign birth, is Gwynne J. Griffith, a native of Wales, where he was born on March 1, 1860, and is the son of John and Rose (Morgans) Griffith.

John Griffith, the paternal grandfather was a successful farmer in England and there he and his wife died many years ago. The father and mother of Gwynne Griffth, the subject of this sketch, were of the farming class in Wales, and most highly respected people. The father devoted his life to farming and was the owner of fifty-five acres of land. They were active members of the Baptist church and during their lives took much interest in all church work. The mother died many years ago, and the father's death occurred in 1904 at the age of eight-four years. John and Rose Griffith were the parents of the following children, Mary Ann, Margaret, Gwynne, James, William, Caroline, Robert and Arthur, who served in the King's Guards in England. The children are all living and are residents of their native land, with the exceptions of James and Gwynne, who came to the United States.

Gwynne Griffith was educated in the schools of England and there grew to manhood. He remained at home and assisted his father with the work on the farm until he was twenty years of age, at which time he and his brother, James, came to America. After having landed in New York in 1882, they came direct to Illinois, where they lived in Caine County for two years, and in 1884 took up their residence in Plymouth County.

Gwynne Griffith was united in marriage on February 6, 1889, to Ellen M. Hawkins, who was born in Benton County, Iowa, and is the daughter of Samuel and Ellen (Scott) Hawkins, who came to this county in 1884, having located in section 16, Garfield township, where they have since been engaged in general farming and stock raising. To Mr. and Mrs. Griffith have been born five children as follow: Pearl, Arthur, Lloyd, Robert and Gladys. Pearl is now the wife of Ivan Oleson. Arthur married Grace Heckenlively. Robert is attending high school at Kingsley and Lloyd is at home assisting his father.

Mr. Griffith located on his present farm of one hundred and fifty-nine acres in 1905. The place is located in section 2 and is under a high state of cultivation and well improved, all the improvements having been placed by Mr. Griffith. He is a thorough farmer and an excellent stockman, his farm being recognized as one of the ideal places in the township and Mr. Griffith one of the substantial men. He takes much interest in his fine herd of Hereford cattle and has many Poland China hogs. He has served on the school board for a number of years and his always taken much interest in the success of the school. He and his wife are active members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Kingsley.

BOOK SOURCE:
History of Plymouth County, Iowa
Indianapolis, Ind.: B. F. Bowen, 1917