The Griffin Family

Philip Griffin in Portrait and Biographical Record of Seneca County, Ohio

The full biographical sketch as printed, transcribed from the public-domain book. Spelling and wording are the original author’s; a few scanning errors may remain.

PHILIP GRIFFIN.

Philip Griffin is now living a retired life in Republic. He has attained to the age of seventy-four years and his career has been so honorable and upright that he has; won and ever enjoyed the respect and confidence of his fellow men. His present home is far from his birth- place, for he was born in Norfolk, England, on the 9th of April, 1828. In the common schools of that country he secured his education, and in 1851 he severed the ties that bound him to his1 native land, in order to establish his home in America, believing that he might have better busi- ness opportunities in this country. Accordingly he took passage on a sailing vessel, which, after a voyage of four weeks, dropped anchor in the harbor of New York. From the metropolis he made his way to Auburn, New York, and in that locality secured work as a farm hand. Later he spent a year and a half in following the carpenter's trade, and ill 1854 he came to Republic, Ohio. Here he also was identified with building interests for about three years and he then secured employment in the carriage shop owned by Mr. Osborn, in whose service lie re- mained for a few years, after which he was made manager of the car-

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riage shop owned by Squire Stickney. But the country became involved in civil war and he could not content himself to remain at home while his adopted country was endangered by the rebellious spirit of the south. In May, 1864, he offered his services, and became a corporal of Company K, One Hundred and Sixty-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, which went to the south for one hundred days’ service and was there engaged in the defense of the capital city.

On the expiration of his term of service Mr. Griffin returned to Republic and the following spring he removed to Reed township, where he carried on agriculture and worked at his trade for a year and a half. On the expiration of that period he once more came to! Republic and established a wagon and carriage shop, which he conducted for many years, meeting with signal success in his undertakings, and acquiring the capital which now enables him to' live retired, in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil. Indolence and idleness have ever been utterly foreign to his nature, and although he started out in life on his own account empty-handed, he placed his dependence in the substantial quali- ties of perseverance and energy. These have served as an excellent foundation for his later success.

May 14, 1854, Mr. Griffin was united in marriage to' Miss Erne- line Sutphen, a native of New York, and they now have four living- children: Annie, the wife of William Diidine, of Green Spring, Ohio:

Alton C., who is conducting a meat market at Chicago Junction; Mil- dred, the wife of J. L. Newcomer, a farmer of Bloom township, Seneca county; and Edson C., who is employed as a brakeman on the Baltimore & Ohio' Railroad. They also lost four children, Emma S., William H., Clinton, and one who died in infancy.

In his political affiliations Mr. Griffin has been a stanch Republican since he became an American citizen, and has done everything in his power to promote the growth and success of his party. He has been honored with a number of local offices. He was trustee of Scipio township for three years and for seven consecutive years served as as- sessor. In 1900 he was elected mayor of Republic and capably filled the office for eighteen months, his administration being progressive and

practical, but on the expiration of that period he resigned. For more than twelve years he has been a member of the school board and for several years he has served as a member of the town council, and whether in office or out of it he has always labored earnestly and ef- fectively for the public welfare. Fraternally lie is connected with Re- public Lodge, No. 40, I. O. O. F., of which he is vice grand. He also belongs to Captain Robinson Post. G. A. R., in which he has served as commander. Upon the battle fields of the south he rendered his adopted country faithful allegiance, and among the native sons of America there is no more true or loyal citizen than Philip Griffin, who is greatly at- tached to his adopted country and her institutions. He has never had occasion to regret his determination to make his home in the United States, for here he has prospered, advancing to the plane of comfort and prosperity through determination and honorable effort.

Source: Portrait and Biographical Record of Seneca County, Ohio. See the original pages at the Internet Archive.