BIOGRAPHIES: SAMUEL GRIFFIN FAMILY, HARRISON COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA ********************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. THIS BIOGRAPHY WAS DONATED TO THE HARRISON COUNTY WVGenWeb PROJECT/ARCHIVES ONLY: www.rootsweb.com/~wvharris ********************************************************************** Submitted by: Cathy Leonard (canl@swbell.net) Genealogical and Personal History of the Upper Monongahela Valley West Virginia Vol. II Bernard L Butcher, 1912 pgs. 936 - 939 GRIFFIN Griffin appears frequently as a family name, but it's origin is wrapped in obscurity. In some cases the name of the family and the arms they bear are in accordance, as in this, they using the Griffin, one of the "Heraldic monsters," a chimerical creature, which the fancy of the modern has adopted from that of the ancient world. The Griffin is first mentioned by Aristeas, perhaps about 560 B.C. The Griffin is variously described and represented, but the shape in which it most requisitely appears is that of an animal generated between a lion and an eagle, having the body and legs of the former, with the beak and wings of the latter. (I) Samuel Griffin, the first of the line here under consideration, was born in Wales, December 6, 1753, died August, 1828. He came to America with six brothers but upon landing in this county, they became separated and it has been impossible for this branch of the family to trace any relationship with the different families now living in the United States. Samuel Griffin first settled in Pennsylvania, but in 1803, moved with his family across the mountains to what is now West Virginia, and settled on the Bushy Fork of the Elk River, near Clarksburg, West Virginia, where he tilled the soil, continuing at this work during the active years of his life. He married Sarah Scarff, born June 24, 1753, died February, 1837. Children: Ann, born June 23, 1778; John, November 7, 1780; Henry, April 17, 1783; Susanna, November 25, 1785; Samuel, June 25, 1788; Edward, June 23, 1792; William Scarff, November 17, 1794; Joshua H, November 3, 1796; James S., of whom further; Benjamin S, September 10, 1801; George G., August 29, 1803. John, eldest son, served in the War of 1812 with a Pennsylvania regiment, was with them in a battle called "The Rapids," and has never since been heard from. (II) James S, seventh son of Samuel and Sarah (Scarff) Griffin, was born in Frederick County, Virginia, died August, 1867, at Flemington, Taylor County, West Virginia. in early life he was a farmer, but being religious by nature and early training took up the study of theology and was ordained a minister of the Baptist faith. He at one time had charge of the Baptist church at Richmond, Virginia. He married Martha Harbert, born September 23, 1802, died May 27, 1880, in Harrison County, West Virginia. Children: Charlotte, born June 10, 1821; Joshua H, March 8, 1828; Francis M, July 5, 1830; Sarah J, July 20, 1832; James Alison, of whom further; Benjamin C., born May 26, 1837; Mary P, August 25, 1841, now living in Oregon; Luther C, March 18, 1844. (III) James Alison, seventh child of James S and Martha (Harbert) Griffin, was born on the old Griffin farm in Harrison county, West Virginia, December 12, 1834. His education was obtained in the so-called subscription schools which were then the only schools in this part of the country. As a boy he worked on his father's farm. He purchased a farm of one hundred and eight acres in what is now called the Eagle district, Harrison county, West Virginia. He was a successful raiser of cattle, horses and other farm products until 1895, when he retired from the farm and removed to Shinnston, Harrison county, West Virginia, where he now resides at the advanced age of seventy-eight years. He is held in high esteem by the citizens of his native county, and has held the position of road overseer and trustee of schools. In politics, he is an ardent Republican, and in religion he is of the Baptist faith. He married, April 12, 1858, Lydia Jane, daughter of Augustus Boggess, who lived on Jones' Run, near Jimstown. Children: Zimenia A, born July 5, 1860, died 1897; Ernest Boyd, born February 10, 1862; Sheridan Russell, of whom further; Emma B., July 23, 1865; Savannah P, September 17, 1869; Florence E, January 27, 1871. (IV) Sheridan Russell, second son of James Allison and Lydia Jane (Boggess) Griffin, was born January 1, 1864, in the log house on Jones' Run, in the Eagle district, Harrison county, West Virginia. It was built by his uncle, John L. Griffin, about 1847. Here his uncle lived for about ten years. He then sold it to his brother, James A., who tore it down and removed it about one mile to it's present location, rebuilt and lived there from 1861 to 1867. He then built a new house and left the cabin to tumble down. Sheridan R. Griffin had always a great affection for the home of his childhood, and upon his marriage, although abundantly able to build for himself, he conceived the idea of remodeling the old cabin and starting in housekeeping in the same place his father and uncle had, so many years previously. The cabin is still standing, although not occupied, is a landmark in that section and is still retained in the family. He obtained his education at the common schools and later attended the Glenville State Normal School, and the Kentucky University, graduating for the latter May 31, 1889. He was them employed as a clerk and bookkeeper for Morgan & Lowe at Enterprise, Harrison county, in a large general store. After two years thus engaged, he resumed his work on his father's old farm for a time, then again went into a general store at Margaret, Harrison county, where he remained for years. In 1900, he went to Clarkburg to become a bookkeeper for M.A. Nusbaum, with who he remained until 1904, since which time he has not been actively engaged, except looking after his varied interests, taking care of his oil and coal land investments, which of recent years have become large and prosperous. At Lumberport, he downs the Blue Ridge Coal Company, a mine, and Hero Coal and Coke Company; the mine is owned jointly by Mr. Griffin and A.J. Speir. In the city of Clarksburg, he owns several good residences and other property, in Harrison county he owns six farms, and he holds large acreage of coal lands in Harrison, Doddridge, and Wetzel counties. He is a stockholder in the Empire National Bank of Clarksburg. In his political opinions Mr. Griffin is in sympathy with the Republican party, which in church relations he is a Baptist. He has been mentioned numerous times for public office, but always has declined to accept owning to his large private interest. He was married at the Grangeville Baptist church, in Marion County, by Rev. Langford, November 24, 1892, to Lillie May Wyer, a native of Margaret, Harrison county, West Virginia, daughter of Taylor Wyer, now residing at Margaret, and is a farmer by occupation. He was born in Harrison county. Mrs. Griffin's mother, Serena (Talkington) Wyer, was also a native of the same county, and is still living. Mr. and Mrs. Griffin have one child: Vonda, born September 11, 1894, and she is now studying voice culture under Professor Hunt of Boston, a specialist on voice culture. She is also a student of the Faelten Pianoforte School for Instrumental Music, Boston, Massachusetts, one of the finest schools of it's kind.