George C. Griffin Biography


	This biography appears on pages 49-50 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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				GEORGE C. GRIFFIN.  

	George C. Griffin is cashier of the Ware & Griffin Bank at Clark 
and in his business career has made wise use of his time and his 
opportunities. He was born in Chicago, Illinois, on the 5th of August, 
1861, and is a son of Stephen B. and Fanny A. (Brown) Griffin, both of 
whom are deceased. The father was for many years engaged in railroad 
work.  

	At the usual age George C. Griffin became a public-school pupil, 
passing through consecutive grades until he was prepared for the high 
school. When he had completed his more advanced studies he secured 
employment in an insurance office and later in a bank at Morris, 
Illinois. The fall of 1882 witnessed his arrival in South Dakota, at 
which time he came to Clark. where he engaged in the loan and real-
estate business. He secured a fair clientage in that connection and won 
a substantial measure of success. At length, however, he entered the 
banking business, with which he first became connected in the '80s. 
Subsequently he again took up the real-estate business but in 1900 he 
renewed his connection with banking and in 1904 he organized the Ware & 
Griffin Bank, entering upon the duties of cashier, with Fred Ware as 
the president. The business has doubled since the opening of the bank, 
which is now in a prosperous condition. It follows a safe, conservative 
yet progressive policy and the number of its depositors and the amount 
of its business along general lines is constantly increasing.  

	Mr. Griffin has been married twice. In 1884 he wedded Adeline 
McSpadden of Clark, and unto them were born three children: Emma, now 
the wife of R. J. Hart, of Watertown; Helen; and Elizabeth. In 1910 Mr. 
Griffin was again married, his second union being with Nina B. Brown of 
Clark, and they have one son, George C., Jr.  

	Mr. Griffin gives his political endorsement to the men and 
measures of the republican party, but has no aspiration for office. 
Fraternally he is connected with the Masons, having taken the degrees 
of both the lodge and chapter. He also has membership with the Elks, 
the knights of Pythias, the Woodmen, the Workmen and the Modern 
Brotherhood of America. He is now president of the council and of the 
Commercial Club and his efforts have been a salient force in promoting 
public progress, in extending business connections and in advancing the 
general welfare along many lines. His religious faith is that of the 
Congregational church and his well spent life has won for him the high 
regard of all with whom he has come in contact, gaining for him a 
circle of friends almost coextensive with the circle of his 
acquaintance.