Lewis County, West Virginia Biography of ABRAHAM LINDON GRIGGS ************************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: Material may be freely used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material, AND permission is obtained from the contributor of the file. These pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for non-commercial purposes, MUST obtain the written consent of the contributor. Submitted by Valerie Crook, , July 2000 ************************************************************************** The History of West Virginia, Old and New Published 1923, The American Historical Society, Inc., Chicago and New York, Volume III, pg. 507-508 ABRAHAM LINDON GRIGGS, president of the County Court of Lewis County, has become a figure in public affairs in his locality not through a special inclination for polities, but on account of his high standing as a citizen and record as a successful farmer, the basis of confidence which has been thoroughly justified in his official perform- ance. Mr. Griggs, whose home is on his farm eighteen miles west of Weston, was born in Harrison County, January 17, 1865, son of Hamilton and Sarah L. (Hurst) Griggs. His father was born in Monongalia County, West Virginia, in 1835 and his mother, in Harrison County in 1833. Both grew up on farms, were educated in the common schools, after their marriage settled in Harrison County and a few years later moved to a farm on Finks Creek, in 1869, where Hamilton Griggs continued his farming operations until 1890. In that year he divided his farm holdings among his children and then bought another farm in Calhoun County, to which he removed. He was never affiliated with any church, but his wife was an active member of the Baptist denomination. He belonged to the Grange, was a republican in politics, and fought for the Union two years in the Civil war. 0f his eight children seven are living: Isabelle, deceased; Mary O. widow of A. E. Hud- kins; John H., who lives in Kansas; Euna, wife of John Moneypenny, of Kansas; Abraham L.; Howard, a Kansas farmer; Cora, wife of Dr. J. A. Dye, of Williamston, West Virginia; and Claude F., of Weston. Abraham Linden Griggs grew up on the farm, attended the public schools of Lewis County, and for six terms did a useful work as a teacher in the public schools. Since then he has been farming, and has made a progressive record in everything he has undertaken. He was first appointed to the County Court to fill a vacancy, and in November, 1920, was elected and is now president of the board. He has also served as a member and president of the Board of Education of the Freemans Creek School Dis- trict. Mr. Griggs is a republican, and is clerk of the Baptist Church is his home community. On November 28, 1888, he married Lena C. Taupel. She died in May, 1911, the mother of five children: H. Quay, a graduate of the normal and academic courses of Glen- ville, who was in the Aviation Corps during the World war and had overseas duty, and is now in the employ of the United States Government in the California oil fields; Edna is the wife of Cleveland Davisson, a farmer in Lewis County; Ada is the wife of Doy Talbott, a farmer in Gilmer County; Ethel and Mamie, the youngest children, are at home. Mr. Griggs subsequently married May H. Lovell. She has one son, Orris, who was a soldier in the World war and was overseas.