Isaac N. Griffith, retired merchant, is one of the pioneers of Carroll, and has been identified with the interests of the town since 1869. He was born in West Virginia March 3, 1813. His father, John Griffith, was also a native of Virginia, and of Welsh ancestry; he served in the war of 1812. His mother, Hannah (Thornburg) Griffith, was reared a Quaker near Winchester, Virginia. The parents reared eight children, four sons and four daughters. Isaac was the seventh child and youngest son. His father died when he was two years old. He remained at home on the farm until he was twelve years of age, at which time the mother and children removed to Greene County, Ohio, and our subject went to learn the trade of tanner and currier and shoemaking, which he followed many years. He married Miss Paulina Johnston, a native of Virginia, who had been reared a Quaker. Her parents were Pleasant and Nancy Johnston. Mr. and Mrs. Griffith have had six children—Hannah Ann, Benjamin T., John H., J. E., Eli P. and Helen E. Mr. Griffith remained in Greene County until he came to Iowa. He first located in Henry County, near Mount Pleasant, where he lived until 1849, then removed to Mahaska County, where he improved a farm of 160 acres. Mrs. Griffith died December 30, 1850. For his second wife Mr. Griffith married Miss Cordelia Lawrence, a native of Chautauqua County, New York, a daughter of Jonathan and Charity (Hathaway) Lawrence, natives of Massachusetts. In 1852 Mr. Griffith removed to Marshall County, this State, where he purchased a saw and grist-mill. While here his wife made the first bolt of cloth used in a mill in Marshall County. After operating the mill two or three years, he removed to Poweshiek County, where he followed the mercantile trade until 1869, when he came to Carroll, as previously stated. He sold the first dry goods that were sold in the town. He had a large trade, his customers coming from Carroll, Sac, Crawford and Calhoun counties. He bought large quantities of furs one season, about $10,000 worth. In 1883 he retired from active business. He says language would fail to depict the trials, hardships and good times the early settlers had. To his second marriage have been born two children—Ella and Isaac N. Politically he is a Democrat and a strong Prohibitionist. He is a member of the Masonic order, Signet Lodge, No. 264.

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