Ulysses Grant GRIFFITH is the efficient agent at Davis City for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad and not only looks carefully after the interests of the company which he represents but also strives to accommodate the public. He was born in Ringgold county, Iowa, on the 20th of December, 1862, a son of James J. and Susan (HIGGINS) GRIFFITH. The father was born in Pennsylvania of Irish and Welsh stock but the mother was born in Illinois and was of Dutch descent. Their marriage occurred near Palestine, Illinois, and in 1848 they removed to Mashaka county, Iowa, where the father engaged in farming. In 1855 they took up their residence in Ringgold county on eighty acres of land which the father had entered from the government. Subsequently he bought additional land and lived upon his farm until 1900, when he removed to Delphos, Iowa, where he lived retired until his death in 1908. His widow survived until the 25th of January, 1915, passing away then at the home of a daughter in Redding, Iowa.

Ulysses G. GRIFFITH attended district school and assisted in the operation of the homestead until he was twenty-two years of age. He then took a course in telegraphy at the Iowa Business College in Des Moines and in 1884 was stationed at Grand City, Missouri, as a helper in the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy ticket office. After remaining there eighteen months he went to Indianola, Iowa, as night operator and three months later was promoted day operator at King City, Missouri. He worked there for two years, after which he was for one year an extra man. He was sent to Lacona, Iowa, as agent and operator at the end of that time and about two years later came to Davis City as agent. He not only represents the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad here but is also local agent for the Adams Express Company. He has quite heavy responsibility, as much live stock, freight and express are shipped from this point, and there is also a fair amount of passenger traffic. The local office is also a night telegraph office and C. E. SMITH is the able night operator. Since Mr. GRIFFITH has been at Davis City the station has been remodeled and there is a mile of side track in the local years and also a coaling and watering point at the city. Mr. GRIFFITH has been in the employ of the Burlington road for over thirty years and has won commendation from his superiors for his trustworthiness and efficiency, while the people of Davis City appreciate his courtesy.

On the 19th of December, 1888, Mr. GRIFFITH married Miss Alice W. HARRIS, a daughter of William and Mary (CHILTON) HARRIS, both of whom were born in Kentucky, the former of Scotch-Irish ancestry. They were married in that state and in 1872 the father died in Casey county, Kentucky. His widow and children subsequently emigrated westward to Missouri, locating at Stanberry when Mrs. GRIFFITH was but five years of age. Mrs. HARRIS passed away in Missouri in 1901.

Mr. and Mrs. GRIFFITH have one child, Eugene, born on the 27th of September, 1891, who is employed as fireman on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad and who resides with his parents.

Mr. GRIFFITH is a republican but has never sought office as a reward for his party loyalty. He belongs to the Order of Railway Telegraphers of St. Louis and is a member of a number of lodges, including the Masonic order, the Yeomen and the Modern Woodmen of America. His wife holds membership in the Order of Eastern Star and in the Yeomen. Both are affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal church of Davis City and their lives are in harmony with their religious professions. Mr. GRIFFITH thoroughly understands every detail of his work and as he gives it his undivided attention all of his duties are discharged promptly and capably.

NOTE: Ulysses Grant GRIFFITH died in 1932. Alice W. (HARRIS) GRIFFITH was born in 1869, and died in 1947. They were interred at I.O.O.F. Cemetery, Davis City, Burrell Township, Decatur County, Iowa.

SOURCES:
HOWELL, J. M. & CONOMAN, Heman. History of Decatur County, Iowa, and Its People Vol. II. Pp. 256-58. S.J. Clarke Pub. Co. Chicago. 1915.

WPA Graves Survey

Transcription and note by Sharon R. Becker, February of 2009