William Griffey 1787-1848

GRIFFEY, FRENCH, SPITZER, SHERFY, RICE, JOHNSON, HUDSON, COX, HILLHOUSE

Posted By: cheryl moonen (email)
Date: 9/23/2017 at 23:13:18

Birth: Jul. 4, 1787
Death: Jan. 11, 1848

Wm Griffey
Died
Jan. 11, 1848
Aged 66y 6m

On the 2d of December, 1849, Capt. French was united in marriage with Miss Delia E. Griffey, a daughter of William and Mary (Spitzer) Griffey, who were early settlers of Burlington, having settled here in 1837. She was one of a family of twelve children: Leannah, Henry Lee, Leavara, William Lee, Mary Jane, Serena, Delia E., Ellen, Laura, Martha, Charles and Caroline.

William Griffey, was born July 4, 1787, and was of English descent. He was a successful merchant at Morgantown, and was an iron manufacturer. He was married Oct. 28, 1810, to Miss Mary Spitzer. a native of Winchester, Va. and of German descent. Mr. Griffey was obliged to pay a large security debt, and nearly all of his property was swept away in this manner. He had to take as partial indemnity for his loss the negroes that had belonged to the man who failed, and these he allowed to purchase their freedom as they were able to do so. Mr. Griffey came to Iowa in May, 1837, proceeding down the Ohio and up the Mississippi rivers by steamer to where the village of Burlington stood. It then contained only a few houses. Mr. Griffey took up land, and in connection with Mr. Sherfy operated a sawmill on Flint Creek and one in Illinois. Later he opened a clothing store on Jefferson and Main Streets, where he remained until his death, which occurred Jan, 11, 1848. His wife, who was born June 15, 1795, died in 1850. Their children were Leanna, who married Charles Medara, and died in the spring of 1838; Henry, who went South, and was not heard from after a time; Levara, who married David Rice, and died leaving a family; Mary, the wife of John Johnson, of Denver; Mrs. Hudson; Delia, who married Capt. Thomas French, and is a widow, living at Cripple Creek, Colo.; Ellen, who is the widow of Daniel Cox, and resides in Burlington, Iowa; Laura, deceased; Martha, the widow of William Hillhouse, and now living with her mother; and Caroline, who died after attaining early womanhood.

Source: Biographical Review of Des Moines County, Iowa, Hobart Publishing Company, Chicago, 1905, pp. 100-101.