Griffin, James 1859-1942

GRIFFIN

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - volunteer (email)
Date: 7/1/2014 at 18:24:42

Sioux Center News of Feb 12, 1942

James Griffin, pioneer settler of Sioux County, passed away after a week's illness at his home in Rock Valley Monday morning, Feb. 9. 1942. Mr. Griffin has been blind for several years but enjoyed his radio when able to be up and around.

James Griffin was born at Geneva, New York, September 23, 1859, and moved with his parents to Hampton, Franklin County, lowa on April 1, 1363 and in June 20, 1872 came to Sioux County with his parents James and Mary Ann Griffin locating on a homestead four and one-half miles southeast of the present sight of Rock Valley. The family made the trip with an ox team and a covered wagon and built a sod house on the homestead Mr. Griffin with the rest of the family suffered many hardships living on the prairie during grasshopper days and prairie fires which threatened their home several times.

Mr. Griffin was untied in marriage to Mary Griffin on May 16, 1886 at the family home and moved to a farm three and one half miles southeast of Rock Valley. Mr. Griffin was baptized as a member of the Protestant Episcopal Church at Geneva NY as a boy and untied with the Methodist church Nov 30, 1924 under W. C. Bergman as pastor. Mr. Griffin and family moved to Rock Valley in March 1915 where he lived up to the present Mr. Griffin had attained the age of 82 years, 4 months and 9 days.

He leaves to mourn his passing his wife, Mrs. Mary Griffin, four children H.B. Griffin, Salem, S.D.; Mabel, Mrs. James Vander Pool, Rock valley; Esther Mrs. Lester Benson Camby Minn; and Frank Griffin Rock Valley. Two sisters Mrs. Anna Murphy and Mrs. Mary A Dearborn Rock Valley, one sister preceded him in death, Mrs. Sarah Bellesfield on Jun 24, 1934; and seven grand children, seven great grand children.

Funeral services will be held Thursday afternoon at 2:00 at the Methodist Church and burial in the family plot in Valley View cemetery.