Ira Griffin Biography


	This biography appears on page 762 in "History of Dakota 
	Territory" 	by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. IV (1915) and 
	was scanned, OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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				IRA GRIFFIN. 

	Hundreds of miles separate the birthplace of Ira Griffin from the 
scene amidst which his last days were passed. He became a resident of 
Sioux Falls in 1882 and until his demise, ten years later, was numbered 
among the valued residents of the city. His birth occurred in Alfred, 
Maine, but in his youthful days his parents removed with their family 
to Canada, settling not far from Montreal. In young manhood Ira Griffin 
traveled extensively. He made the journey by boat to California and 
also visited Cuba. For a time he engaged in the livery business in 
Massachusetts and while thus engaged, in 1851, he was married at 
Reading, near Boston, to Miss Claramond Taylor. They continued 
residents of the east and of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and in 1882 located in 
Sioux Falls, Mr. Griffin purchasing one hundred and sixty acres of land 
west of the town. He made many substantial improvements upon that 
tract, setting out shade trees, planting an orchard and otherwise 
developing and adorning the place. He also purchased hand at what is 
now the corner of West Twelfth street and Minnesota avenue, Sioux 
Falls, and erected thereon a most comfortable, commodious and 
attractive residence. Around it he set out shade trees which stand 
today as a monument to his thrift, foresight and love of nature. He 
built a number of houses in the city and speculated to a considerable 
extent in real estate in Sioux Falls, continuing in the business until 
his death, which occurred in 1892 when he had reached the age of 
seventy years. His widow still survives and makes her home in Sioux 
Falls at the advanced age of eighty-two years. She is a member of the 
Congregational church. 

	His fraternal relations were with the Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows. He voted with the democratic party but never sought nor 
desired political honors or emoluments. He stood, however, for all 
those things which are a matter of civic virtue and civic pride, 
believed in the future of Sioux Falls and in every possible way 
endeavored to promote her growth and prosperity. He was justly numbered 
among her honored citizens.