BIOGRAPHY: William G. GRIFFITH, Cambria County, PA 

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From Wiley, Samuel T., ed. Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Cambria 
County, Pennsylvania. Philadelphia: Union Publishing Co., 1896, p. 111-2 
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WILLIAM G. GRIFFITH, an enterprising, successful farmer and a scion of an old 
and highly respectable family of Somerset and Cambria counties, is a son of 
Nehemiah R. and Rebecca (Jacoby) Griffith, and was born in Upper Yoder township, 
Cambria county, on June 1, 1865. His grandfather, Abner Griffith, was a native 
of Somerset county, but now lives in Stony Creek township. He has always 
followed the pursuits of a farmer, and has always espoused the principles of the 
Republican party, but previous to the organization of that party he was a whig. 
He married Miss Mary Reichard, now deceased. Nehemiah R., father, was born in 
Somerset county, Pennsylvania, but is now a merchant in Walnut Grove, this 
county. He, like his father, Abner Griffith, has been a life-long republican, 
and has held several local offices. In September 18, 1860, he married Miss 
Rebecca Jacoby, and to this union ten children have been born: Mary, the wife of 
J. W. Rager, who resides in Conemaugh township; William G.; Simon L., of Walnut 
Grove; Franklin A., of Walnut Grove; Clara, the wife of Carl Griffith, a 
resident of Walnut Grove; Minerva Ella, wife of John Lohr, also of Walnut Grove; 
Lucinda E., and Ida Lucretia.
     William G. Griffith received his education in the common schools of his 
native township, and at the age of maturity began life on his own account as a 
farmer, which pursuit he has always followed. Although he has been very 
successful as a farmer, the mercantile business has always held attractions for 
him, and he thinks seriously of soon entering that field.
     He, too, is a republican, and has held the offices of assessor and school 
director for his township for several years. He is a member of Corona Lodge, No. 
999, I. O. O. F., of Conemaugh, Junior Order U. A. M., Conemaugh Council, No. 
137. He, with his entire family, belongs to the United Brethren church, of which 
organization they are active and consistent members.
     On April 19, 1888, he married Della, a daughter of David Shaffer, of 
Wilmore, this county, and this marriage has resulted in the birth of the 
following children: Louis Waldo; Melvin Harrison; Austin Harrold, and Ralph 
Foster.