Harrison County Iowa Genealogy

HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY, IOWA, 1891
BIOGRAPHIES
Page 426
WILLIAM R. GRIFFIN

William R. GRIFFIN, of the firm of Griffin & Jensen, Dunlap, Iowa, who are the proprietors of one of the finest meat market establishments in Western Iowa, will form the subject of this notice. This business was established October 1, 1890. They have worked up a large trade, slaughtering five head of cattle per week. Our subject, who is the senior member of the firm, was born in New London, Canada, May 9, 1869. He is the son of Charles P., and Elizabeth (PIPER) GRIFFIN, natives of Devonshire, England, and who are now residents of Stewart, Iowa. The father being a butcher by trade is still engaged at such work. William R., of whom we write, was reared in his native country, up to the time he was four years of age, when the family moved to Eldora, Iowa, where they lived three years and then went to Stewart. Here our subject was reared and educated and when old enough engaged in the butcher business. At the age of nineteen he opened a shop of his own in Stewart, Iowa, where he operated for about one year, and then spent a year in the West, chiefly in Denver, Colo. Upon his return to Iowa, he re-purchased his former business and continued to operate it until he came to Dunlap.

Politically, Mr. GRIFFIN is identified with the Republican party. He is an active member of the Knights of Pythias Order, and is what may be termed an enterprising young business man, who is almost sure to win success as the years shall come and go. He is a fine musician, as was every member of his father's family. The children are Albert C., a resident of Denver, Colo., a printer by trade, who is also the leader of the Alpha Band; William B., our subject; Ethel, at home a music teacher, also a member of the family band; Arthur H., at home, a butcher by trade and teacher of band music; Frank, at home, a member of the family band; Fred, at home and a member of the family band; Edgar, at home and a member of the family band. The family constitutes a full band, both brass and orchestra music, each member handling an instrument of some kind. It is a remarkable family in this respect, their musical talent being a gift of nature, none of them ever taking lessons outside of their home circle.

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