Griffith, David H.

GRIFFITH, JONES, MC KINSEYRILEY

Posted By: mjv (email)
Date: 3/30/2021 at 15:00:30

David H. Griffith farmer, was born in Louisa County, this State, in 1846. He is a son of Arthur and Margaret (Jones) Griffith, both of whom were born and reared and married in Wales, and their eldest daughter, Mary, was born in that country. She is now the wife of William Anwyl, who was also born in Wales, and their marriage was celebrated about eight years after the Griffith family had located in America. Mr. Anwyl is a resident farmer of Louisa County, and the father of Edward and Maggie Anwyl. Edward is married, and also resides in that county.

Arthur Griffith was a carpenter by trade, and his first location in America was made in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he remained two years. Deciding to make a home in the new Northwest, Mr. Griffith bought his family with him, making the journey down the Ohio to Cairo, Ill., and up the Mississippi to Muscatine, at which place he landed, and selected what is now a part of Louisa County, then a part of the Territory of Wisconsin taking a claim four miles west of where Columbus City is now built. Mr. Griffith built a house of clay, in which he lived for two years, prior to the erection of a log house, which was only torn down in 1886. In the clay house Elizabeth, the second child, was born; she is still living, and is the wife of Edward Davis, of Louisa County.

Another brother, John Griffith, came about two years after Arthur, settled in Iowa, and selected a claim one mile east of Arthur. He brought with him a young wife, but his children, David and Elizabeth, were both born in Iowa. The Indians were very numerous at that early day, and the Griffiths were the earliest settlers of the county. Their children were more familiar with the faces of Indians than of white persons. During all the years intervening between his coming to this county and the removal of the Indians to their reservation, the greatest good-will prevailed, the only annoyance experienced being their persistent begging, desiring a part of any and everything possessed by the Griffiths. The first span of horses owned in that county was possessed by Arthur Griffith. He made a long journey southward in quest of horses, and finally succeeded in purchasing a mare which later gave birth to a colt, which when matured made him a team that became historical. At that time all the work was done with oxen, and the plows were of the mold-board pattern. Arthur being a mechanic, made shovel plows for the settlers to till their lands, and his services in that line later became much in demand. When the lands were ready for entry Arthur secured 200 acres which his widow yet retains. On it and in the log house previously mentioned, the remainder of her children, David H., Arthur L., and Margaret E., were born. The first Congregational Church organized in that county was formed at the log house of Arthur Griffith, and for more than thirty years Arthur served as Deacon. Humphrey Griffith, another brother, with his family, also settled near these people, a few years after their coming there. The Griffiths were all carpenters, and almost every log house in that country was erected by them. Humphrey removed with his family to California, and died there. The other brothers died in Louisa County within a short time of each other.

Our subject has always been a farmer. His brother Arthur followed the vocation of his father, but after his marriage to Miss Tudie Phelps, of Washington, this county, he removed first to the Black Hills, and later to Montana, where he became quite a noted politician, and has held many important offices. He is now Postmaster at Yellowstone. His first wife died childless. Mrs. Black, of Oregon Township, Washington County, became his second wife, and has borne one son, Arthur. The marriage of our subject to Miss Mary A Jones, of Louisa County, was celebrated Feb. 28, 1866. She was the daughter of Louis and Mary Jones, also of Wales, who became residents of Louisa County in 1853. To the wife of our subject were born: Amy, deceased; Arthur, Allie, Edwin, Winifred, David C. Margaret F., Howard and John. The death of Mrs. Griffith occurred in June, 1884, and Jan. 30, 1887, our subject wedded Mrs. Lillie (McKinsey) Riley, the widow of Robert Allen Riley. She has one daughter by her first husband, Maud A. A lengthy history of her ancestry will be found elsewhere. In February, 1881, Mr. Griffith, with his family, became identified with the history of this county, purchasing the farm on which he resides and on which he expects to remain. The family are welcomed among the honored residents of Crawford Township, and his interesting sketch deserves a place in its history.

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington County, Iowa (1887). Excerpt from Biographical Sketch of David H. Griffith, pages 357-358.