George W. Griffin Biography, Genesee County, Michigan

This Biography extracted from “Portrait and Biographical Record of 
Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola Counties, Michigan…”, published be Chapman 
Bros., Chicago (1892), p. 1031

This copy contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives.


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GEORGF W. GRIFFIN. This prominent, intelligent and successful farmer 
formerly resided in Davison Township, Genesee County, but has recently 
removed to Commerce, Oakland County. He was born in Richland, Oswego 
County, N. Y., April 16, 1825. His parents, Stephen and Polly 
(Cunningham) Griffin, were both New Yorkers, who located in Oswego 
County and died there, the mother in 1842, and the father in 1844. 
Three of their six children are now living, our subject being the 
youngest of the family. He received his early education in the pioneer 
log schoolhouses and had only meagre opportunities for learning.

   At the age of eighteen George W. Griffin came to Michigan and 
remained there among acquaintances from 1843 to 1846, finding work at 
the carpenter's trade. He then went to Portland, Ionia County, where he 
was married, in 1845, to Clarissa Olin, a native of Bennington, Vt., 
who came West with her father, Caleb Olin, at an early clay. After 
marriage the young couple located near Portland, where they remained 
for a few months, thence moved to Commerce, Oakland County, and came to 
Davison Township, this county, in 1848. Here Mr. Griffin purchased his 
present farm on section 16, and in January, 1850, made his home upon 
it, having built a log cabin, into which they moved before he had put a 
door or window in it. A settlement of the Nipsing Indians camped a few 
miles away and wild game was plentiful.

   The first purchase of land here made by Mr. Griffin was forty acres 
and his personal property might be enumerated as a team of oxen, twelve 
hens and a rooster. Mrs. Griffin passed away from earth January 19, 
1889, leaving a family of children, of whom two have died, namely: 
Charles and Margaret. Those who are living are Harriet, Ardell, George 
and Rosa L. The present Mrs. Griffin was united in marriage with our 
subject September 9, 1891. Her maiden name was Rebecca Willson, and she 
was born in Canada.

   The Republican party represents the political views of our subject, 
and his fellow-citizens have made him at various times Drainage and 
Highway Commissioner and Justice of the Peace. For a number of years he 
has been connected with the Masonic fraternity. On his tine farm of two 
hundred and seven acres, located on sections 15 and 16, he has a good 
frame house and barns, and the property is in a fine condition, having 
received thorough tillage. A dairy business has also been carried on 
there for several years.



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