Howard County IN Archives Biographies.....Griffith, Joseph L. 1848 - 
************************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/in/infiles.htm
************************************************

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com April 5, 2006, 4:21 am

Author: Jackson Morrow (circa 1909)

JOSEPH L. GRIFFITH.

   All credit is due a man who wins success in spite of obstacles and by
persistency and energy gains a competence and a position of honor as a man and
citizen. The record of the subject of this sketch is that of such a man, for he
came to Howard county in the days of her rapid growth and here worked out his
way to definite success and independence. He quickly adapted himself to the
conditions which he found here and has labored so consecutively and effectively
that he is now the manager of a thriving business in Kokomo, where he is held in
high regard by all who know him, having here maintained his home since 1890.

   Joseph L. Griffith is a native of Fairfield county, Ohio, having first seen
the light of day there November 9, 1848, the son of Samuel and Elizabeth
(McKinley) Griffith, this family being an old and well established one in the
Buckeye state, the father of the subject having been born in Fairfield county,
where he spent his life and where he was called from his earthly labors. The
subject's paternal grandfather was from Pennsylvania. The McKinleys were
relatives of the late President McKinley and the subject's paternal grandmother
was an aunt of the distinguished statesman.

   Joseph L. Griffith was born on a farm where he worked in his boyhood,
attending the rural schools, receiving a fairly good common school education. It
will be remembered that President McKinley was a school teacher in his youth,
and it was the subject's fortune to be under his instruction in the school room
for one year.

   When the subject grew to manhood he farmed on land of his own for a period of
fifteen years, during which time his labors were rewarded by success. He sold
his Ohio farm and went to Litchfield, Illinois, where he remained four years,
engaging in various lines of business with varying success. After coming to
Kokomo he worked as fireman in a heading factory. Later he started in the dray
business with a capital stock of one hundred and twenty dollars, having only one
horse. But being a man of great energy and much business tact his trade grew
until he has built it up to quite an extensive one, maintaining three large
moving vans, two drays, four coal wagons, one heavy truck and four sprinkling
wagons. He also owns considerable valuable property, among which is that located
at the corner of Smith and Monroe streets. All this he has made himself without
aid from anyone, showing what a man with the proper amount of business ability
and energy rightly applied can accomplish, notwithstanding adverse early
circumstances.

   Mr. Griffith was united in marriage to Lovina Riegle, October 13, 1870. She
was the daughter of Jesse Riegle and was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, April
20, 1851, on the farm adjoining that on which our subject was reared. She was
educated in the common schools there. Five children born to this union have
survived infancy, two boys and three girls; all have received a common school
education.

   Fraternally Mr. Griffith is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows,
Red Men and the Owls. He has passed all the chairs in the first named, having
long taken a great interest in the work of this order. He has also represented
this lodge, Tarlton Lodge, No. 90, in the Ohio Grand Lodge. Although the subject
has never been active in politics, he is a staunch Republican and his vote in
always cast for the best man, especially in local politics.

   Mr. and Mrs. Griffith are pleasant and affable people, having won a
reputation in Kokomo for honesty, uprightness and hospitality, and they are
highly respected by all who know them.


Additional Comments:
From:

HISTORY OF HOWARD COUNTY INDIANA
BY
JACKSON MORROW, B. A.
ILLUSTRATED
VOL. II
B. F. BOWEN & COMPANY
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA

(circa 1909)



File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/in/howard/bios/griffith300nbs.txt

This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/infiles/

File size: 4.4 Kb