Biography of Stephen J. Griffin - Conway Co, AR *********************************************************** Submitted by: Cathy Barnes Date: 21 Jun 1998 Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm *********************************************************** SOURCE: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Western Arkansas. Goodspeed Publishers, 1891. page 70 Stephen J. Griffin, a representative citizen of Washington Township Conway County, was born in North Carolina, September 3, 1839. His parents, Allen and Elizabeth (Valew) Griffin, were both natives of the same State, and besides our subject, were the parents of nine children, only two of whom are now living. Allen Griffin was a farmer by occupation, and removed from North Carolina to Georgia in 1840, and made the latter State his home till his death, April 18, 1869. At the outbreak of the war in 1861 he enlisted in the Confederate army and served as Fife Major. He received a discharge in 1863, and from that time lived a life of domestic ease. He and his esteemed wife were long time members of the M. E. Church South, and he was followed to his heavenly home by his wife in 1880. The subject of this sketch, Stephen, received his early education in Murry County, Georgia, and at the age of 21 years enlisted in the Confederate army under Gen. Longstreet, Company C. 11th Georgia Regulars. He was in many engagements, and at the battle of Richmond, Va., was wounded in the arm by a rifle ball, and in the head by a buckshot. At the time of the general surrender he was at home on a furlough. In 1866 he joined his fortune matrimonially with Rachel C. Hilton, and in 1872 immigrated to Arkansas and cast his lot with the good people of Conway County. He began life here with practically nothing but strong arms and a vigorous will; he now owns a good upland farm of eighty acres, forty of which are under cultivation. The family are members of the Advent Church. To the union of Mr. Griffin and his estimable wife were born six children: Edith A., wife of Thomas Romon; John T., Washington, Elizabeth J., Stephen J. (deceased), and Emma.