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Below is a family biography included in The History of Cedar County, Missouri published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1889.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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William Griffith, postmaster at El Dorado Springs, is a native of Pike County, Mo., born in 1846, and is the third of four sons and five daughters, born to Judge Albert G. and Sallie P. (Pickett) Griffith, natives of Virginia and Kentucky respectively. The parents emigrated from Kentucky to Pike County, Mo., about 1832, and there Mr. Griffith died in 1874. Mrs. Griffith is still living. Her parents both died in Pike County, Mo. Judge Albert G. Griffith was left fatherless when but a boy, and after growing up, he was quite a prominent man in Pike County, Mo. He was a farmer by occupation, was judge of Pike County Court from 1868 to 1872, and the last two years of his life was presiding judge of that county. He was also a justice of the peace for six years. He and wife were members of the Christian Church, as were also all the children, with the exception of William Griffith. The latter received a liberal education in the country schools, assisted his father on the farm, and when eighteen years of age, or in 1865, he joined Company K, Third Illinois Cavalry, as corporal, and went at once to Mississippi, where he remained until the war closed. He was then sent to the northwest frontier, where he remained until the fall of 1865, when he was discharged. He then returned home, engaged in agricultural pursuits, and in 1874 was united in marriage to Miss Sallie, daughter of W. H. and Mary J. Nalley, natives of Virginia and North Carolina, respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Nalley were early settlers of Pike County, where they lived many years. They are now residing at Appleton City, Mo. To Mr. Griffith and wife were born two children, one son (now dead) and a daughter. In 1876, Mr. Griffith came to St. Clair County, Mo., where he farmed until 1880, after which he engaged in the lumber business. In 1882 he came to El Dorado, where he engaged in the lumber business with Robinson Brothers, and continued at this until 1888, when he was made deputy postmaster. In February, 1889, he was appointed to the position of postmaster, and has had full charge of the office since. He was a member of the city council two years, and is a member of Col. Leonard Post No. 251, G. A. R. In 1888 he was adjutant of the Twelfth District Veteran Association of the Twelfth Congressional District of Missouri. Mrs. Griffith was born in 1856, and is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

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This family biography is one of 92 biographies included in The History of Cedar County, Missouri published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Cedar County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

View additional Cedar County, Missouri family biographies: Cedar County, Missouri Biographies

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