John Henry GRIFFITH

GRIFFITH, MARTIN, LEWIS, WOOD, KIRSCHNER

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 3/23/2011 at 11:56:29

September 19, 1854 --- March 29, 1922

J. H. Griffith Answers Call
One of Estherville’s Highly Respected Farmers and Business Man Passes Away
Has Been Ill for Months
Mr. Griffith Was at One Time a Member of the Board of Supervisors of Emmet County

John H. Griffith, one of Estherville’s highly respected citizens, passed away at his home this morning. Mr. Griffith has resided here for many years and his friends are numbered by his acquaintances. He has always taken a great interest in matters which pertain to the farming interests, was a great booster for the old fair ground which had its grounds adjoining his farm. He was always interested in county and city affairs. For many years he purchased stock here and always raised and shipped stock in large quantities. In later years he became interested in lands and purchased much of Iowa soil a few years ago. For the past two years he has been afflicted with cancer and has been at several places for treatment. All medical aid was of no avail and after a long suffering he was relieved this morning and taken to his reward. His daughter is also reported very ill and it was expected she might not survive the shock. She, likewise, has been ill for some time.

Mr. Griffith’s obituary will be given next week. The funeral service will be held on Friday afternoon from the Presbyterian church at 2:30 o’clock.

Estherville Enterprise -- Estherville, IA
March 29, 1922

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A Pioneer Resident Passes On

J. H. Griffith Dies Wednesday Morning, March 29th
Was Ill for Two Years
Resident of Emmet County Nearly 25 Years – Farmer and Stock Raiser

J. H. Griffith, a sufferer from tuberculosis for the past two years passed on to his reward at his home on North Sixth street in this city early this morning at about 2:30 o’clock. Deceased was one of the leading citizens of Emmet county, and although not unexpected the news of his death will be a great shock to his many friends in Emmet county and in Wright and Hamilton counties, this state where he has resided the most of his life. He came to Emmet county twenty-five years ago and located on a farm just at the north edge of the city, and with the exception of a year or two in northern Minnesota he has resided in the county continuously ever since. He was a farmer and stock grower and was successful. While residing north of Estherville he was a member of the school board for several years and later was elected a member of the county board of supervisors, and while on either board made an enviable record for himself. He served his constituency well and to the best of his ability.

He was a member of the three Masonic bodies of this city: North Star Lodge A.F. and A.M., Jeptha Chapter and Esdraelon Commandery, and the funeral will be in charge of the Masons.

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John Henry Griffith was born in Webster City, Iowa, on September 19, 1854, and received his early education in that city. In 1876 he was united in marriage to Miss Angelina Martin at Union, Iowa. To this union two children were born, one dying in infancy and the other, Mrs. Chas. Lewis, now a resident of Estherville. His first wife passed away at Union in 1882. In 1884 he was again married, his second wife being Miss Elizabeth Wood, of Union. To the second union five children were born. One died in infancy and the others, Miss Hattie, Mrs. Mae Kirchner, Lelland J. and Harry all reside in Estherville.

After leaving Webster City deceased spent his younger years in Albion. He later moved to Union, then to Wright county and then back to Union where his first wife died. For a few years Mr. Griffith was in the livery business in Clarion with the father of Mrs. Griffith. Soon after his second marriage he moved on to the Ellsworth ranch, near Dows, and was manager of that ranch for eleven years. He moved from there to Emmet county in 1897. The funeral will be held from the Presbyterian church Friday afternoon at 2:30 o’clock. It will be in charge of North Star Lodge No. 447, with a Knight Templar escort.

Vindicator and Republican -- Estherville, IA
March 29, 1922