Biography of Hiram B. Griffin, 1902, Baker Co. Oregon: Surnames: Griffin, Seely, Crandall, Brink, Epperson, Clopton, Carter.

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Transcribed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
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An Illustrated History of Baker, Grant, Malheur and Harney Counties, pub. 1902
by Western Historical Pub. Co. of Chicago. page 356

Hiram B. Griffin

Among the most esteemed and respected of the leading citizens of Sumpter is
the prominent hotel and mining man whose career it is now our task to present
in brief resume. Perhaps no class of men contribute more to the development
and prosperity of a town than they who cater to the material necessities of
its visitors and transients, and Mr. Griffin certainly understands how to make
his hostelry a place of comfort and a place at which commercial travelers will
delight to make their temporary abode.

Mr. Griffin is a native of Warren county, New York, born December 2, 1833, the
son of Jonathan and Sybil (Seely) Griffin. His educational advantages were
such as the common schools afforded, and as soon as he had completed his
intellectual discipline he engaged in the lumbering industry, at first in his
native state and later in Canada, where he spent about four years. Returning
eventually to New York, he followed the livery business there for a period of
eleven years, thereupon coming to California, where he gave inception to his
career as a hotel man. Coming to Oregon, he took up land in Umatilla county,
and there he farmed for a few years, ultimately going to Caldwell, Idaho,
where he again engaged in the hotel business, remaining until 1898. In that
year he came to Sumpter, purchased the property on the corner of Mill and
Auburn streets, enlarged the same to accommodate fifty guests and engaged in
the hotel business in good earnest.

Mr. Griffin also has some very valuable mining claims in Baker county, among
them the Eureka and the Grey Eagle in the famous Cracker creek district, and
among his realty holdings is some valuable city property.

A public-spirited man, our subject has ever manifested a deep interest in the
promotion of the public good whenever he has lived, taking an active part in
the upbuilding of his town and county. At present he doing what he can for the
promotion of the cause of good government in Sumpter by serving with
faithfulness and good judgment in the city council. In fraternal affiliations
he is a Mason. His marriage was solemnized in July, 1855, in New York state,
when Miss Mary F., daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Crandall, became his wife. The
issue of their union is five children: Mary, widow of Mr. Brink; Helen, wife
of Dr. J. C. Epperson, of Illinois; Sybil, wife of Frank B. Clopton, of
Pendleton, Oregon; Ruth, wife of L. S. Carter, of Portland; and Hiram B., Jr.
On March 31, 1900, Mrs. Griffin was called away by death, leaving a mourning
household and many friends, being highly esteemed and beloved by all.