BIOGRAPHIES

Source
HISTORY of CITY OF TOLEDO and LUCAS COUNTY, OHIO
Illustrated
Clark Waggoner, Editor
Publ. New York & Toledo:
Munsell & Company, Publishers
1888
 

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V. W. Granger

VOLENTINE WHITMAN GRANGER Source:  Story of City of Toledo and Lucas County, Ohio, Illustrated - Clark Waggoner, Editor - Publ. New York & Toledo: Munsell & Company, Publishers - 1888 - Page 772

W. W. Griffith

WILSON W. GRIFFITH was born near the Falls of Sugar Creek, Tuscarawas County, Ohio, Feb. 14, 1823.  He was a son of Walter Griffith.  His mother's maiden name was Elizabeth Jennings, and the parents were married at Georgetown, District of Columbia.  They came to Ohio about 1803, settling on a farm near the Falls of Sugar Creek.  Being among the earliest settlers of the county, they were subjected to the experiences common to the pioneers of that date, which included severe toil, privation of comforts of life, sickness and want of social and educational privileges.  They were located abut 25 miles North of Gnadenhutten, the scene of the massacre of Moravian Indians, 20 years previous to the arrival of Mr. Griffith and family.  The father died in 1827.  When 14 years of age, Wilson left the farm and went to Lebanon, Wayne County.  Here he remained for a few years, and then engaged as Clerk in a store at Massillon.  In 1840, when 17 years of age, he went to Oberlin, with the view of taking a full College course, but after spending about two years in preparatory studies his health so far failed, that he was compelled to relinquish his purpose, much to his disappointment.  In 1843, he went to Bethlehem, Stark County, where he acted as Clerk in a Store and taught School.  In the same Town Joseph Medill, now Editor of the Chicago Tribune, also taught a School.  Mr. Griffith commenced his business life in 1845, by opening a Store at Sugar Creek.  In 1849 he removed his stock to Middlebury, Indiana, and also engaged in milling there.  Remaining until 1854, he then came to Toledo, and engaged in the Grain, Warehouse and Commission business with Wm. G. Powers, occupying the "Old Red Warehouse," foot of Monroe street, which property Mr. Griffith soon purchased and yet owns.  In 1858, with Robert Cummings, Mr. Griffith engaged in the Wholesale Boot and Shoe trade.  This arrangement continued until March, 1862, when the firm of R. & J. Cummings took the business and Mr. Griffith returned to the Commission and Grain trade, at the former stand.  His health again becoming impaired, in 1866 he commenced a series of journeys, including visits to Europe, Asia, and Africa, and to many portions of the United States, including the Pacific Coast.  In the course of his home travels he has visited all the States of the Union, and every one of the Territories, save Dakota, Montana and Alaska.  Many letters written by him to his family, while abroad, were published by the Toledo press, and for their intelligent, discriminating style of description, were much valued by readers.  Like communications were furnished from the Pacific Coast and elsewhere.  In 1869, Mr. Griffith was elected as Representative to the Ohio Legislature, in which capacity he occupied an unusually prominent and useful position.  Among other things, he presented and ably supported in debate, a series of resolutions protesting against the bad faith of the State of Indiana, in not maintaining according to the obligations assumed by her, her section of the Wabash and Erie Canal.  In 1871, with Henry B. Probasco, of Cincinnati, he was appointed by President Grant, a Centennial Commissioner for Ohio, holding such position until the close of the Exposition of 1876, at Philadelphia.  Throughout the Rebellion, with the earnest co-operation of Mr. Griffith, he was active and effective in contributing to the needs of the Soldiers of the Union; and although from physical incapacity, exempt from military service, he sent two substitutes to the field.  In 1871, Mr. Griffith was chiefly active in the establishment of the Merchants National Bank of Toledo, of which he was President until 1882.  He was prominent in the establishment at Toledo of the Milburn Wagon Works, one of the largest manufacturing concerns of the kind in the world, which has contributed largely to the prosperity and population of the City.  In politics Mr. Griffith was originally an Anti-Slavery Whig, and since the organization of the Republican party has acted with that as being nearest to his earliest and most settled political convictions.  In 1844 he was married with Miss Margaret Miller of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio.  They have two children - Ethelbert S., of Toledo, and Mrs. Alice D. Rycroft, of New York. Source: City of Toledo and Lucas County, Ohio - Illustrated - Clark Waggoner, Editor - Publ. New York & Toledo: Munsell & Company, Publishers 1888 - Page 502