GRIFFEN, G. W.

GRIFFEN, JAMES, BILLMEYER

Posted By: Gordon Felland (email)
Date: 3/26/2010 at 16:38:12

For fifty-one years G. W. Griffin has been an active factor in commercial circles in Mclntire, where throughout the entire period he has conducted a general store. He is one of the native sons of Mitchell county, his birth having occurred in Wayne township on the 2d of March, 1862, his parents being Hiram and Abbie (James) Griffin, who were born, reared and married in the Empire state. The son, G. W. Griffin, obtained a common school education while spending his youthful days under the parental roof. He lived with his father upon the home farm until he reached the age of twenty-three and during that period assisted in the work of the fields during the summer months, early becoming familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. He then started out in business on his own account at Bailey, Iowa, where he remained for a brief period, or until 1886, when he took up his abode in Mclntire, where he has since made his home. He established a general store and has since developed a business of gratifying proportions. He carries a large line of general merchandise and his business methods have won for him the confidence and liberal patronage of the public. He is also well known in banking circles, being a stockholder, one of the directors and the vice president of the Mclntire Bank.

On the 25th of April, 1894, Mr. Griffin was united in marriage to Miss Estella Billmeyer, a native of Osage, Iowa, and they became parents of a daughter, Jennie, who is now employed as a stenographer in Cedar Rapids.

Mr. Griffin is one of the prominent men of his community and has been identified with various interests and activities of public concern. In politics he is a republican and for many years has served on the county central committee. He was the first mayor of Mclntire, has been a director of the school board and also president of the board of education for many years. Fraternally he is a Mason, an Odd Fellow and a Woodman and has held a number of offices in these different societies. He is loyal to their teachings and their purposes and his entire life has been guided by straightforward and honorable principles which have made him one of the respected business men and valued citizens of Mitchell county. His entire life has been passed within the borders of Mitchell county and among his stanchest friends are many who have known him from his boyhood to the present time.

Source History of Mitchell and Worth Counties, Iowa, 1918, Vol. II, page 203.