SHEBOYGAN HISTORY

John Griffith, Page 313

JOHN GRIFFITH, deceased, was born in Wales, April 9, 1800, and when three years of age came to the United States with his parents, John and Mary Griffith, locating at Sodus, near Rochester, N. Y., where the father engaged in the manufacture of hats, and where he and his wife spent their last days.

    John Griffith, the younger, was reared in his father's factory, and on reaching manhood went to New York, where he carried on a hat store.  He was married in that city, September 7, 1835, to Miss Lydia P. Chapman, daughter of Joseph and Amy (Rider) Chapman.  Her father, who was born near London, England, after the death of his first wife came to the united states, and for many years kept a clothing-store in the city of New York.  There he married Miss Rider, who was a native of Rhode Island.  Grandfather Rider, who served as a soldier in the Revolutionary War, was taken prisoner by the British, and was poisoned by them on board a British ship.  Of Joseph Chapman's family, but two survive, Mrs. Griffith and Mrs. Martha Lathrop, of Yonkers, N. Y.

    Having merchandised in New York until about 1841, Mr. Griffith removed to Buffalo, where he was engaged in the grocery trade.  In 1850 he came to Sheboygan, where he was engaged in the same line of business until his death, October 2, 1852.  He had a family of eight children, of whom five are living:  Joseph is working on a farm in Manitowoc County; Martha A. is the wife of I. V. Bliss, of Milwaukee; Adelia became the wife of Ara D. Crocker, of Sheboygan, and Mary married Melvin M. Corson and resides in the same city.

    Mrs. Griffith still resides in Sheboygan, where she has made her home for forty-three years.  She is quite active in body and mind, notwithstanding she passed her eighty-second birthday January 18, 1893.