CONFEDERATE BIOGRAPHY: J. S. GRIFFITH -  Kaufman County, TX 

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Submitted by Doris Peirce - ginlu@home.com 
18 October 2001 
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TEXANS WHO WORE THE GRAY by Sid S. Johnson

J. S. GRIFFITH.

John Summerfield Griffith, of Terrell, was born on the 17th day of 
June, 1829, in Montgomery county, Md.  His father, Michael Berry 
Griffith, born Feb. 26, 1796, was the son of Capt. Henry Griffith, 
who served in the Revolutionary army, and a lineal descendant of the 
historical Lewellen P. Griffith of Wales.  Michael B. was married in 
Maryland on Aug. 28, 1823, to Lydia Rigley Crabb, a beautiful and 
cultured woman, daughter of Gen. Jeremiah and Elizabeth Crabb.  Owing 
to a series of business reverses, they moved from Maryland to Missouri, 
with the hope of regaining their lost fortune.  Sustaining further 
losses and their capital reduced greatly, they removed to San Augustine, 
Texas, April 15, 1839 with a family of six children, three of whom were 
boys, viz: Jeremiah Crabb, John Summerfield, and Joseph Henry Perry, 
girls: Ann Elizabeth, Ruth Matilda and Amanda.  Those were the young 
days of Texas history, and they were forced to accustom themselves to 
the hardships and privations incident to pioneer life.  Misfortune 
sits heavily on some hearts, but not on such as these, and with the 
example set by this heroine wife and mother, shame indeed would it 
have been to despair.  To the subject of this sketch, this trying 
ordeal of his young life brought forth a rich harvest, implanting the 
best impulses, a strong will with one dominant idea: success, energy, 
practical and unremitting, and such sturdy qualities as made of him a 
man, loved and respected.  His education was received chiefly at home, 
under the tutorship of his mother, he was endowed with a brilliant 
and comprehensive intellect, and was noted for his qualities of mind 
and heart.  He entered the business world as a clerk in a mercantile 
establishment, and on the following year started out on his own 
account, acting as salesman during the day and keeping his books at 
night.  At this time his tasks were ardous, being exceedingly 
conscientious as to detail, his toil was unremitting.  His efforts 
were rewarded with success, for everything prospered with him, and 
in an incredibly short time he had amassed comparative wealth.  He 
was married at Nacogdoches in December 1851, to Sarah Emily Simpson, 
daughter of John J. and Jane Simpson.  During the winter of 1859 he 
moved to Kaufman county and entered upon the stock trade in addition 
to his mercantile pursuits.  He soon conceived the idea of planting 
cotton in this county, and this was a source of much good natured 
merriment on the part of some neighbors, who thought Griffith should 
know that high winds and cotton crops did not go together.  True to 
his progressive spirit, he planted the first Irish potatoes in this 
county.  His numerous warnings were that they had better be eaten, 
that he was putting more potatoes in the ground than he would get 
out.  

In 1861, when the War was upon us, he was among the first to answer 
the call of his country.  John S. Griffith was called to the command 
of a voluntary company of cavalry at Rockwall, Texas, and was 
afterwards incorporated as Co. B, in the regiment organized by Col. 
Warren B. Stone.  Immediately upon the organization of this regiment 
he was elected lieutentant colonel, which post he filled with honor, 
as the following words of Victor M. Rose substantiates: "In galaxy of 
glorious stars, whose effulgence  yet lights the memory of the 'Lost 
Cause though its sun has forever set, none shines with a steadier 
glow than that consecrated to the name and fame of John S. Griffith."  
Unselfish in his characteristics, brave, though sagacious, as becomes 
a commander, patriotic in all his impulses.  Had health been 
vouchsafed him, a career of glory and usefulness would have crowned 
his efforts with success.  As it was by his consumate address on the 
hardly contested field of Oakland, and as the central fiure of the 
Holley Springs campaign, he gave ample evidence that he possessed 
in a preeminent degree these lofty, necessary qualities that can 
only fit a man for command in battle.  Gen. Griffith was more than 
a dashing cavalryman, for his analytical mind penetrated far beyond 
the immediate shock of battle, and took in the salient features of 
the campaign as a whole.  It was he who conceived that master stroke 
of policy and was the most efficient agent of its execution,  "The 
Holley Springs Raid."  He saved the army of Pemberton indubitably, by 
the movement, and consequently delayed the fall of Vicksburg many 
months.  On the field of Oakland he performed for the same army 
duties of scarce less vital moment."

Owing to failing health, Gen. Griffith tendered his resignation and 
returned to Texas in June, 1863.  Shortly afterwards he was elected 
a member of the Tenth Legislature and served as chairman of the 
committee on military affairs.  He was appointed brigadier general 
of State troops on March 1, 1864.  The duties of this office were:  
"To encourage and form volunteer companies and organizations, of 
such persons as are not subject to militia or other duty, for local 
defense and all necessary police regulations in the counties where 
such companies may be raised."

As a result of the war, Gen. Griffith found himself broken in health, 
and in impoverished circumstances, but with that pluck and energy 
characteristic of the man, together with his indomnitable will which 
would brook no defeat, he set himself the task of regaining his lost 
fortunes.  With him, to think was to act, and seeing an opportunity 
of profit in bois d'arc seed, he, with the help of his former slaves, 
gathered many thousands of bushels, took them North, and from their 
sale realized in one winter a handsome fortune, thus placing him in 
comfortable circumstances and much capital left on which to operate.  
Ever afterward, his investments were most successful.

In 1876 he was elected a member of the Fifteenth Legislature, and aide
d in placing the new State constitution in operation, and served as 
chairman of the committee on public printing.  As a member of this 
body he won for himself the name of "Watch Dog" to the public treasury.  
Gen. Griffith was an advanced thinker, and in his religion lived ahead 
of his time.  He was no stickler for form or ceremony but for the truth 
only as he saw it, and he had the courage of his convictions, speaking 
them openly and fearing naught.

He was a devoted student of the writings of Emanuel Swedenberg.  His 
life was filled with acts of benevolence and charity.  His sympathy 
for the afflicted and distressed was boundless, and his heart was full 
of an abiding love for his fellow man.

In 1874 Gen. Griffith removed with his family, consisting of wife and 
two sons, and a daughter, to Terrell.  When the North Texas Asylum for 
the insane was established in Terrell, Gov. Ireland appointed him one 
of the board of managers, and he continued to serve in this capacity 
until his removal to Oak Cliff in 1899.  He subsequently returned to 
Terrell, and it was at his home in that city that he met his death, 
on the 6th day of August, 1901, with a courage and trust unexcelled, 
he died as he had lived, a brave and a great man.