My Genealogy Hound

Hon. Robert H. Griffin resides in White River Township, Independence County, Ark. He was born in Meigs County, Tenn., May 25, 1836, and is a son of William and Mary (King) Griffin, natives of Greene County, Tenn. William Griffin was a farmer by occupation, and was also a shoemaker by trade. He removed with his family to Roane County, Tenn., when our subject was young, where they remained until 1860, in the latter year locating in Independence County, Ark., which was his home until his death, that occurring November 25, 1863, at the age of sixty-four years. His first wife, the mother of Robert H., was a daughter of Robert King, a native of North Carolina, who was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. Mrs. Griffin died in Roane County, Tenn., a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which church Mr. Griffin was also a member. He afterward married Hannah Chauncy, who died in Texas; she was a member of the Baptist Church. Politically, Mr. Griffin was a life-long Democrat. To the parents of the subject of this sketch, five sons were born, viz.: John S., who is a farmer in Iowa; Robert H.; Joseph W., engaged in the livery business at Whiting, Iowa; Thomas M., and William; the last two died in childhood. Robert H. received his early education in his native State, and at the age of twenty-one began for himself. He married, August 5, 1856, Margaret Chauncy, daughter of John and Hannah Chauncy, of Roane County, Tenn. She was born January 13, 1834. Mrs. Griffin died in Independence County, Ark., July 21, 1877, the mother of seven children, viz.: Mary E., who died when quite young; James A., a farmer of Independence County; Lettie J., wife of T. J. Davis, of Texas; Sarah J., wife of Odell DeVaughan, also of Texas; John R., of Texas; William H., at home, and Joseph S., at home. In 1878 Mr. Griffin married Elizabeth Rice, of Independence County. She is a daughter of William Rice, and was born August 15, 1855. Four children have been born to this union: Eva, who died at the age of two years: Robert A., Ethel and Alda. Mr. Griffin has always been engaged in farming. In the fall of 1860 he located in White River Township, Independence County, where in a few years he purchased land, which has ever since been his home. He owns 415 acres, of which 100 acres are under cultivation. In 1872 he was elected justice of the peace, in which capacity he served eight years; he was then elected county and probate judge, serving three terms. He afterward represented the county in the General Assembly. In August, 1862, he was mustered into Company A, Col. Shaver’s regiment, and served until the surrender at Jacksonport, Ark., June 5, 1865, as second lieutenant, participating in many battles, among them Prairie Grove, Pilot Knob, Trading Post and Big Blue. Mr. and Mrs. Griffin are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, in which he is an elder. Judge Griffin is a Democrat, and is one of the most enterprising and influential citizens of the county.