George C. Griffin Biography


	This biography is from "Memorial and biographical record; an illustrated
 	compendium of biography, containing a compendium of local biography,
	including biographical sketches of prominent old settlers and 
	representative citizens of South Dakota..." Published by G. A. Ogle & 
	Co., Chicago, 1899. Page 329

	Scan, OCR and editing by Maurice Krueger,mkrueger@iw.net, 1998. 

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GEORGE C. GRIFFIN. The name of this gentleman will readily be 
recognized as that of one of the leading men of Clark county. He is a 
resident of Clark city, where he is extensively engaged in handling 
real estate, loans and insurance. His excellent business qualifications 
insure success in whatever line he is engaged, and the careful and 
systematic manner of dealing with the details, combined with a 
character of the highest integrity, places him foremost a~nong the 
citizens of his community. 

Our subject was born in Chicago, Illinois, August 5, 1861, and was the 
eldest son of Stephen and Fanny (Brown) Griffin, both of whom are still 
living. His mother is well known in Chicago, as a teacher in primary 
work, and is one of the most experienced instructors of that city. The 
family is of English descent intermixed with German. 

Upon the completion of the high school course of his native city, our 
subject entered a real estate and insurance office and was thus 
employed several years, after which he was engaged as cashier of the 
western department of the Phoenix Life Insurance Company, during which 
time he completed a course at Stratton's College, and afterward went to 
Morrison, Whiteside county, Illinois, and was employed in a bank. He 
went to his present location in the fall of 1882 and took land in Clark 
county, and at once began working along the line of real estate and 
insurance. He opened the first set of abstract books under the name of 
the Clark County Abstract Company. He became interested in the. Clark 
County Bank, which was afterward reorganized under the name of the 
First State Bank. The Dakota Loan Security Company was organized 
through his efforts, and he is now secretary of that company. His 
business is rapidly expanding and he handles lands in the counties of 
Clark, Codington, Hamlin, Spink, Faulk, Hand, Hyde and Kingsbury. His 
novel ways of advertising his business have gained notoriety for his 
work, and his determination at the present in that line is to have a 
horseless carriage constructed with which to show his lands, and 
distribute advertising matter, the carriage itself being an excellent 
attraction. Mr. Griffin served as deputy register of deeds, and also as 
deputy treasurer of the county, and the faultless manner in which he 
conducted the duties of his position commend him to the highest respect 
and confidence of the people. 

Our subject was married in 1885 to Miss Addie E. McSpadden. Two 
daughters have been born to bless the home of Mr. and Mrs. Griffin upon 
whom they have bestowed the names of Emma and Helen. Mr. Griffin is a 
trustee of the Congregational church and is much interested in church 
and charitable work. He is prominent in secret society circles, holding 
membership in the Blue Lodge and Chapter of the Masonic fraternity, the 
Ancient Order of United Workmen, and the Modern Woodmen of America. In 
political faith he is a Republican. He is public-spirited, progressive, 
and withal one of the most enterprising members of the locality where 
he has resided for many years.