MR. WILLIAM GRIFFITH SR. WALNUTPORT, NORTHAMPTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
William Griffith, the father of Idwal W. and Samuel S., who are slate operators at Slatington, was born April 19th, 1832, in Caernarvonshire, in North Wales, and upon emigrating to America in 1849, he first traveled through a number of Western States, then located at Danielsville, in Northampton county, where he became engaged as a slate operator. He worked in quarries for twenty years, then embarked in the business by purchasing a tract of land, embracing about 12 acres near Danielsville, Northampton county, and forming a partnership with his eldest son Idwal, which traded under the name of William Griffith and Son. The plant was carried on successfully by them until the father died July 5, 1895.He was a member of Slatington Lodge, No. 440, F. and A. M.; also of the Welsh Presbyterian Church as well as a contributing member of the Indian-Land Church near Cherryville. Mr. Griffith was married to Ann Williams (a native of North Wales, who was born in 1838, emigrated to America when a young woman, and died in 1890); and they had ten children: Catharine (married Richard Gardner, and they reside at Newport, Rhode Island); Idwal W. ; Hannah (died unmarried when 21 years old); Ann (died in infancy) Lizzie (married Robert Jones and died at Cambridge, Mass., in 1901) ; Samuel S., William (died in infancy); Ellen (married Rev. R. R. Jones, Reformed minister at Centre Hall, in Centre county) ; Martha (married H. Clinton Handwerk, at Slatington), and Charles (who died at Slatington in 1908, and left two children, Elizabeth and William).
History of Lehigh County Pennsylvania.
MR. WILLIAM GRIFFITH SR. WALNUTPORT, NORTHAMPTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
William Griffith, senior member of the firm of William Griffith and Son, prominent slate operators, makes his home at present time at Walnutport, having his quarry about one mile distant. He was born across the water in Llanllechid, Wales, March 19th, 1833, and is the son of Griffith and Jane Griffith, also natives of that place.William Griffith remained in the British Isles until attaining his eighteenth year, when, deciding to try his fortunes in the New World, he embarked on a vessel at Liverpool in 1851, which landed him in this country after a voyage of twenty eight days. Arriving first in Boston, Massechusetts, he came directly to this county, and for many years worked in the slate quarries near Danielsville. For the past fifteen years, however, he has been engaged in business for himself, having had during that time several different partners.
In 1889 Mr. Griffith began operating the Heinbach Quarry, with which he is still connected, having interested with him in business his son, I. W. He has been very successful in this branch of industry, making a speciality of school and roofing slate, furnishing employment to twelve men in the various departments, and giving his personal supervision to the work.
Our subject received but a limited education in his youth, and is therefore mainly self made, both as regarding book lore and finances. His mother died when he was a lad of six years, and five years thereafter his father passed away, thus leaving him to fight the battle of life alone. At an early age he began quarrying slate in his native country, so that, when coming to the United States, he found it not difficult to obtain a good position among the numerous quarries in this region.
The lady to whom Mr. Griffith was married in 1857 bore the name of Annie Williams. She too, was born in Wales, and was the daughter of Robert Williams, whose birth occurred in this country. Their union resulted in the birth of a large family of children, seven of whom are living, namely; Catherine, the wife of Richard gardner; Idwal W.; Elizabeth; Ellen, the wife of Robert R. Jones; Samuel S.; Martha and Charles. The wife and mother departed this life May 24th, 1890, greatly mourned by a host of friends and acquaintenances.
In politics Mr. Griffith is a staunch adherent of republican principles, which party he believes to be in the right. He is a mason of high standing, belonging to the lodge in Slatington. Besides his interest in the slate quarry, our subject is the owner of a valuable farm in this county, which comprises one hundred and fourteen well tilled acres. A man of strict integrity and generosity of opinion, he naturally wins friends easily, and is respected throughout the entire community.
Biographical record of Lehigh, Northampton and Carbon counties, Pennsylvania.
MR. WILLIAM GRIFFITH SR. WALNUTPORT, NORTHAMPTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
Know all men, by these presents : That I William Griffith of Walnutport, in the County of Northampton and state of Pennsylvania, being of sound mind, memory and understanding, make and declare this my last Will and Testament, in manner following :First, I direct that my body be decently interred in the St. Paul's Cemetery, near Cherryville, Penssylvania, on my burial lot and that my funeral be conducted in a manner corresponding with my estate and situation in life; that a granite monument be erected on my said buryimg lot, that will cost about Two Hundred and Fifty Dollars. As to such estate as it has pleased God to interest me with, I dispose of the same as follows, viz; I direct that my just debts and funeral expenses to be fully paid and satisfied as soon as conveniently may be after my decease.
Item. I give and bequeath unto my don Charles W. Griffith, for ever all my undivided one-half interest and share which I now have and hold in house and lot where I now reside, being the eastern one-half portion of said house, the part I occupy, and one-half interest in the lot where said house is on, (being one-half interest in the double house and lot,) where I now reside, which is bounded and described as follows :
Beginning at a point on the North West corner of a public crossroad at Best's Hill, thence south 55 degrees and 35 minutes West one hundred and thirty seven feet to a point, thence north 24 3/4 degrees West one hundred and fifty six feet and six inches to an alley, thence by the same said alley, North 65 1/4 degrees East one hundred and fifty five feet to a point at public road, thence by said road South 24 3/4 degrees East sixteen feet and six inches to a point, and thence South 16 degrees and thirty five minutes East onr hundred and twenty three feet and three inches to the place of beginning.
Item. I give and bequeath unto my son Charles W. Griffith for ever all my furniture and household goods which I have and belong to me in my said house, where I now reside.
Item. All the rest, residue and remainder of my estate real personal and mixed, whatsoever and wheresoever, which I shall die seized or possessed or to which I shall be entitled at my decease; I order and direct to be converted into money inside of two years time after my decease. And for that purpose I do hereby authorize and empower my said Executor hereinafter named, to sell and dispose of all my real estate by public sale or sales, for the best and highest price or prices that can be gotten for the same, and by proper deed or dees, conveyances or assurances in law, to be duly executed, acknowledged and perfected, to grant, convey and assure the same to the purchaser or purchasers thereof in fee simple, and when the whole of my said residuary estate shall be converted into money as aforesaid, then I will and direct the same shall be divided and paid over to my seven children, to which I give, devise and bequeath my said residuary estae in portions and shares in manner following viz :
I give devise and bequeath my said reiduary estate to my seven children, to share and share alike in manner following; I will and direct the same shall be divided into seven equal parts or shares, one part or share to my daughter Catherine intermarried to Richard Gardner, one share to my son Idwal W, one share to my daughter Lizzie, one share to my daughter Ellen intermarried to Robert R. Jones, one share to my son Samuel S., one share to my daughter Martha and onr share to my son Charles W., and to their heirs and assigns for ever.
And lastly; I hereby constitute and appoint my son Charles W. Griffith my executor of this my last will and testament. In witness whereof, I William Griffith the Testator, have to this my will, type written on one sheet of paper, set my hand and seal this sixth day of June A D one thousand eight hundred and ninety five. William Griffith signed, sealed, published and declared by the above named William Griffith, as and for his last will and testament, in the presence of us, who hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses thereto, in the presence of the said testator, and of each other.
G T Oplinger and Elias German.