Edward Griffin

GRIFFIN, HORSMAN, LANGE, SEXSAUR, ARNOLD, HAMMOND, ABLE, SCHLAWEIN, UPMEYER, GREIMAN

Posted By: Peter Gausmann (email)
Date: 1/25/2010 at 05:25:04

EDWARD GRIFFIN

Edward Griffin, engaged in farming on section 2, German township, Hancock county, is also actively interested in public affairs of his community and has filled a number of the local offices. He was born in Germany, September 1, 1854, a son of Ludwig and Charlotte (Horsman) Griffin, who were also natives of that country and have now departed this life. It was in July, 1880, that Edward Griffin came to America, being then a young man of twenty-six years. He made his way to Clayton, Iowa, where he secured work on a farm through the summer, while in the winter he engaged in chopping cord wood. Two years were thus passed, after which he was married and established his home in German township, purchasing two hundred and sixteen acres of land on section 2 for twenty-three dollars per acre. He afterward purchased a tract of eighty acres on the same section and afterward another tract of one hundred and twenty acres. His next purchase made him owner of one hundred and sixty acres on section 29 in the same township and thus he has become one of the extensive landowners of the county. His holdings are all well improved and he is one of the progressive and representative farmers of his section of the state. Great changes have occurred as the years have passed on. He had no money with which to buy horses, but oxen sold at a low price and for a considerable time he used an ox and one horse. Great improvements have been made in farm machinery, too, and he has kept pace with the changes that time and man have wrought. The Rock Island Railroad has been built into this section since his arrival and the work of development has been carried steadily forward, Mr. Griffin bearing his part in the advancement of the agricultural interests of this section, which have been the basis of all the prosperity and upbuilding of Hancock county. In addition to his farming interests Mr. Griffin is a stockholder in the Cooperative Creamery of Garner.

On the 25th of November, 1881, Mr. Griffin was married to Mrs. Mary Lange, a daughter of Frederick and Christina (Sexsaur) Arnold, who were natives of Germany and came to the new world in 1851, settling in Clayton county, Iowa, where the father purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres. Both he and his wife are now deceased. By a former marriage Mrs. Griffin had three children : Emaline A. Lange, now the wife of George Beavers, who is farming near Algona, Iowa; Alvina T. Lange, the wife of Fred Chase, who follows farming in Avery township, Hancock county; and Albert J. Lange, who married Maggie Hammond and is engaged in farming on section 28, German township. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Griffin. John A., who married Lillian Able, is living on the old homestead on section 2, German township. Louis H., who wedded Emma Schlawein, resides on section 28, German township. Alice F., who married Rudolph Upmeyer, devotes his attention to general agricultural pursuits on section 2, German township. Nettie M. is the wife of Benjamin Greiman, living on section 15, German township.

Politically Mr. Griffin is a republican, having given stalwart support to the party since becoming a naturalized American citizen. He is now serving as township trustee and he has been called upon to fill a number of local offices by his fellow townsmen, who have recognized his worth and ability. For ten years he was school treasurer and for eighteen years a member of the school board, while for twelve years he has1 been road boss. His duties have ever been discharged with promptness and fidelity and his has been a creditable record in office. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the German Methodist Episcopal church. He has never had occasion to regret his determination to come to the new world. He voluntarily made choice of America as a place of residence and has ever felt that 'he owes his allegiance to the land of his adoption. He has, therefore, labored to further the welfare of the community in which he lives and has stood loyally by the democratic principles of the government.

Source: History of Winnebago County and Hancock County, Iowa: A Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievement, Vol. II. Pioneer Publishing Company (Chicago), 1917. pp. 536-537.