My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM GRIFFITH, senior member of the firm of William Griffith & Son, prominent slate operators, makes his home at the present time at Walnutport, having his quarry about one mile distant. He was born across the water in Ilamllichid, Wales, March 19, 1833, and is the son of Griffith and Jane Griffith, also natives of that place.

William Griffith, of this sketch, remained in the British Isle 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, Mass., 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 specialty 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 that 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; Edwal W., Elizabeth; Ellen, the wife of Robert R. Jones; Samuel S., Martha and Charles. The wife and mother departed this life May 24, 1890, greatly mourned by a host of friends and acquaintances.

In politics Mr. Griffith is a stanch 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.