BIO: David A. GRIFFITH, Huntingdon County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by JO

Copyright 2008.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/pafiles.htm 
**********************************************************
__________________________________________________________________  

Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of the Juniata Valley: 
Comprising the Counties of Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata and Perry, 
Pennsylvania, Containing Sketches of Prominent and Representative 
Citizens and Many of the Early Settlers.  Chambersburg, Pa.: J. M. 
Runk & Co., 1897, pages 297-298.
__________________________________________________________________ 

  DAVID A. GRIFFITH, Eagle Foundry, Pa., was born at Broad Top, Bedford 
county, March 30, 1848, son of John and Jane (Dunlap) Griffith. 
Frederick Griffith, his grandfather, was of Irish descent, was a 
farmer, and was a pioneer settler of Bedford county. He had three 
children: John and Thomas, twins; and Frederick. John Griffith was born 
in 1802, in Bedford county. His occupation was farming; he was in this 
business in Bedford county until 1853, when he purchased a tract of 982 
acres in Tod township, Huntingdon county. This land, after improving 
it, he divided among his children. He also had 136 acres in Cass 
township. John Griffith was married to Jane Dunlap, born in Bedford 
county, January 23, 1803. Their children were: Elizabeth (Mrs. Jonathan 
Evans); Mary M. (Mrs. John Horton); Sarah J. (Mrs. Andrew Anderson); 
William T.; Rosanna; Ruhamah (Mrs. Josiah Horton); Amos; Margaret (Mrs. 
Isaac P. Keith); Reuben A.; David A.; all deceased except Mrs. John and 
Mrs. Josiah Horton, and D. A. Mrs. Griffith died in March, 1871. Mr. 
Griffith married, secondly, Miss Rebecca Kinton, of Bedford.
  Mr. Griffith's life is worthy of emulation. Beginning life as a poor 
boy with but one horse and a few pieces of furniture, he acquired by 
hard work and economy a substantial amount of property, owning at his 
death more than 1,000 acres of land. In political matters he took a 
great interest, held all the township offices and served three years as 
director of the poor, being elected on the Republican ticket. His work 
in the Methodist Episcopal church, as class leader and Sunday-school 
superintendent, illustrates well his goodness of character. He died on 
the homestead June 15, 1891.
  David A. received his education in the public schools of Bedford and 
Huntingdon counties, and spent his boyhood days on his father's farm. 
In 1869 he assumed control of the homestead of 156 acres, and has 
operated it ever since. He was married April 7, 1870, to Miss Mary P. 
Myerly, born in 1845, and a daughter of Adam and Sarah M. (Houck) 
Myerly, the former of German descent, the latter of Scotch-Irish 
descent. Mr. Myerly had a family of two children: Adam B.; and Mary. To 
Mr. and Mrs. Griffith were born these children: Bertha, wife of Isaac 
McNeal; Arrilla B.; Emma, deceased; John O.; Ira H.; Martin E., 
deceased.
  Mr. Griffith was elected county commissioner in 1888 on the 
Republican ticket, receiving a majority of 700 over his opponent. In 
this position he rendered efficient service, erecting bridges destroyed 
by the flood. He has served as inspector of elections, six years as 
school director, as tax collector and as assessor.
  His fraternal relations are with the following organizations: Mount 
Hor Lodge, No. 736, I.O.O.F., of Cassville; Lodge No. 444, of the 
Grange, and the A.P.A. Mrs. Griffith is a member of the Lutheran 
church, while Mr. Griffith has served as class leader two years, 
steward two years and as Sunday-school superintendent in the Methodist 
Episcopal church.