Michael John Griffith was born on 30 Aug 1853 in Holmes County, Ohio (165, 547, 548). He was the youngest child of Benjamin Griffith and Mary (Hites) Griffith. Both parents of Michael were born in Pennsylvania. According to recollections by Maude Ellen (Griffith) Countryman, a daughter of Michael Griffith, Benjamin Griffith died on about 20 Oct 1853 in a tree felling accident when Michael was seven weeks of age (560).

At the 1860 federal census of Holmes County, Ohio, Michael Griffith, age six years and born in Ohio, was living with his mother Mary Griffith, age 45 years and born in Pennsylvania (549). In 1860, older children of Benjamin Griffith were living in various Holmes County households. Elijah Griffith, age 16 years, was living in the Robert Flack household at Holmesville in Holmes County and working as a farm hand. Daniel Griffith, age 19 years was living in the household of Isaiah Jones. By 1870, much of the family was reunited in the Mary Griffith household.

On 1 Jul 1870, the federal census of Holmesville, Holmes County, Ohio enumerates the household of Mary (Hites) Griffith, age 68 years and born in Pennsylvania (561). Children of Mary Griffith living in her household were James, age 26 years; Elijah, age 27; Daniel, age 30; Letitia, age 24; Silas, age 19; and Michael Griffith, age 16 years. James and Daniel were working as day laborers, and Elijah was working on a farm.

Michael John Griffith and Agnes Leticia Livingston married in Holmes County, Ohio on 30 Aug 1877 (165, 547, 797, 1035). Michael was 23 years of age, and Agnes Livingston was age 16 years. Agnes Livingston was a daughter and oldest known child of David Ralston Livingston and Sarah Jane (Bates) Livingston. Prior to her marriage, Agnes likely was living with her parents at Hardy in Holmes County, Ohio. Aug 1877 was a busy time in the Livingston household. In addition to Agnes’ marriage, a daughter, Ella Livingston, was born to David and Sarah Livingston on 19 Aug 1877.

On 6 Nov 1878, Michael Griffith’s mother, Mary (Hites) Griffith died in Holmes County, Ohio at about 76 years of age. Within a year following her death, Michael and Agnes Griffith migrated to Ellsworth County, Kansas as pioneers on the great plains. On 25 Feb 1879, their first child, Maude Ellen Griffith, was born at Geneseo in Rice County, Kansas (165). Maude would later recall:

I was born in a dugout, with only part of a roof, and it was snowing. They put a blanket over the corner of the house. It was just a sod shack.

At Maude Griffith’s birth, Agnes Griffith was 18 years old, and Michael Griffith was 25.

The 1880 federal census of Empire in Ellsworth County, Kansas enumerates the Michael Griffith household including Agnes Griffith, age 21 years and Maudy Griffith, age one year and born in Kansas (1036). Michael Griffith, age 26 years was working as a laborer. Michael Griffith’s parents are both recorded as born in Ohio; Agnes Griffith’s parents are enumerated as born in Pennsylvania.

On 10 May 1881, a daughter, Sarah A. Griffith, was born (547). A third daughter Clara Griffith was born on 2 Mar 1884 (547).

The 1885 Kansas State Census enumerates the household of Michael Griffith, age 31 years, including Agnes Griffith, age 23; Maudie Griffith age 5; Sarah Griffith, age 4; and Clara Griffith, age 1 year (1041). Michael Griffith was working as a farmer. Before the 1895 Kansas State Census, five more children were born to Michael and Agnes Griffith (547): Elizabeth M. Griffith in May 1886; Mary Jane on 8 May 1886; Emma on 11 Aug 1888; Pearl on 9 Apr 1891; and Truman A. Griffith on 25 Nov 1893. Two additional male children were born before the 1900 federal census, James M. Griffith on 28 Sep 1896; and Arthur Griffith on 24 Apr 1899 (547). At the time of Arthur’s birth, Michael Griffith was 45 years of age, and Agnes was age 38 years.

On 16 Feb 1896, Maude Griffith, the oldest child of Michael and Agnes Griffith, married Fredrick Glonar Griffith at Midway in Butler County, Kansas (782). Initially, the couple lived in Rice County, Kansas.

The 1900 federal census of the Mitchell Township of Rice County, Kansas records the household of Michael J. Griffith, age 51 years and born in Ohio during Aug 1853 (1037). Michael Griffith was working as a laborer. The census records his father as born in Scotland, and his mother as born in Pennsylvania. Also living in the household were Michael’s wife Agnes L. Griffith, age 39 years and born in Ohio during Sep 1860, as well as children: Clara Griffith, age 16 and born in Mar 1884; Emma F., age 11 and born in Aug 1888; Pearl M., age 9 and born in Apr 1891; Truman A., age 6 and born in Nov 1892; James M., age 3 and born in Sep 1896; and Arther Griffith, age 1 year and born in Apr 1899. All children were born in Kansas.

At the 29 Apr 1910 federal census of Cement in Canadian County, Oklahoma, Michael J. Griffith was 57 years old and his wife, Agnes L. (Livingston) Griffith was 48 (1038). Michael and Agnes as well as their parents were all born in Ohio. Four children of Michael and Agnes Griffith were living in their parents’ household: 18 year-old Pearl M. Griffith; Truman A Griffith, 16 years old; James M. Griffith, 13; and 11 year-old Arthur R. Griffith. All children were born in Kansas.

The 21 Jan 1920 federal census of Oak in Canadian County, Oklahoma enumerates Michael Griffith, 63 years old and born in Ohio (1039). Both of Michael’s parents were also born in Ohio. Two children were born in Kansas: James Griffith, 23 years old, and 20 year-old Arthur Griffith.

The 1930 federal census of El Reno in Canadian County, Oklahoma enumerates Michael Griffith as 76 years old and his 69 year-old wife A. L. Griffith (1040). At their marriage, Michael was 28 years old, and Agnes was 17. Michael Griffith held real estate valued at $500.

A 1930 City Directory of El Reno, Oklahoma lists Michael J. Griffith living at 318 North Hoff Avenue with his wife Agnes Griffith. Michael Griffith was working as a farmer.

Michael John Griffith died of Apoplexy, likely a stroke associated with hypertension and arteriosclerosis, at El Reno in Canadian County, Oklahoma (548). A funeral service with Reverend R. R. Hildebrand presiding was held at the Christian Church in El Reno. Michael John Griffith is buried in Enid Cemetery at Enid in Garfield County, Oklahoma (663).

Notes and Comments

Entries in the Bible of Michael J. and Agnes Griffith document Michael Griffith’s date of birth and the marriage of Michael Griffith and Agnes Livingston.

At the1860 federal census of Holmes County, Ohio, Mary Griffith and son Michael were living adjacent to the George C. Griffith household. George Griffith was an inn keeper, presumably at this location.

The 1900 federal census of Rice County, Kansas enumerates Michael John Griffith as Michel J. Griffith.

At the 1900 federal census of the Mitchell Township of Rice County, Kansas, Mary Jane Griffith, also known as Lizzie M. Griffith, was living in the household of a Mr. Cline and his wife Ella Cline on property adjacent to that occupied by the Michael Griffith household. Mary Jane Griffith, enumerated as Lizzie M. Griffith, was age 14 years and born in May 1886 in Kansas. Both of her parents were born in Ohio, and she worked as a servant doing house work.

Michael J. Griffith  is buried in Enid Cemetery, at Enid in Garfield County, Oklahoma. Enid Cemetery is located at 36.423398° North latitude,  -97.880277° South longitude (663).

Sources

165. Transcript. Michael John Griffith Bible Records, Fairview, Major County, Oklahoma, 24 Mar 1945. (Original and images on file.)

221. Michael J. and Agnes Griffith, El Reno City Directory, 1930. (Image on file.)

547. Bible of Michael John Griffith. Presented to Mr. M. J. Griffith by his wife Mrs. A. L. Griffith, August 1909. (Images on file.)

548. Certificate of Death, M. J. Griffith, El Reno, Canadian County, Oklahoma, 24 Nov 1930. Oklahoma State Board of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. (Image on file.)

549. Mary Griffith Household, 1860 U.S. Federal Census, Prairie Township, Holmes County, Ohio, 5 Jul 1860. Roll M653_989, Page 377, Image 314, Family History Library Film 803989. U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C. (Images: Ancestry.com. Image on file.)

560. Recollections of Maude Ellen (Griffith) Countryman. (Original and images on file.)

561. Mary Griffith Household, 1870 U.S. Federal Census, Holmesville, Holmes County, Ohio, 1 Jul 1870. Roll M593_1224, Page 158A, Image 29859, Family History Library Film 552723. U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C. (Images: Ancestry.com. Image on file.)

663. Gravestone, Michael J. and Agnes L. Griffith, Enid Cemetery, Enid, Garfield County, Oklahoma. Find A Grave Memorial 77081426. (Images: Find A Grave. Image on file.)

782. Obituary, Fredrick Glonar Countryman, Major County, Oklahoma. 1948. (Original and image on file.)

797. Marriage Record. Michael John Griffith and Agnes Leticia Livingston. Holmes County, Ohio, 17 Aug 1877. Record number 4217. Ohio, County Marriages, 1789–2013, Family Search. Reference ID 15, GS Film Number 477146, Digital Folder Number 004016691, Image Number 00043. (Images: Family Search. Images on file.)

1035. Certified Marriage Record, M. J. Griffith and Agnis L. Livingston, Holmes County, Ohio. 30 Aug 1877. Holmes County, Ohio, Record of Marriages, Volume 6, Page 15. (Image on file.)

1036. Michael Griffith Household, 1880 U.S. Federal Census, Empire, Ellsworth County, Kansas, 5 Jun 1880. Enumeration District 092, Roll 381, Family History Film 1254381, Page 472B. U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C. (Images: Ancestry.com. Image on file.)

1037. Michel J. Griffith Household, 1900 U.S. Federal Census, Mitchell, Rice County, Kansas, 7 Jun 1900. FHL microfilm 1240497. Enumeration District 0225, Roll 497, Page 4A. U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C. (Images: Ancestry.com. Image on file.

1038. Michael J. Griffith Household, 1910 U.S. Federal Census, Cement, Canadian County, Oklahoma, 26 Apr 1910. FHL microfilm 1375259, Enumeration District 0081, Roll T624_1246, Page 11B. U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C. (Images: Ancestry.com. Image on file.)

1040. M. J. Griffith, 1930 U.S. Federal Census, El Reno, Canadian County, Oklahoma, 11 Apr 1930. Enumeration District 8, Roll 1895, Page 10B, Image 700.0. U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C. (Images: Ancestry.com. Image on file.)

1041. Michael Griffith Household, 1885 Kansas State Census, Empire, Ellsworth County, Kansas, 1 Mar 1885. Roll v115_47, Line 14, Family Number 17. Kansas State Historical Society, Topeka, Kansas. (Images: Ancestry.com. Image on file.)

1039. Michael Griffin Household, 1920 U.S. Federal Census, Oak, Canadian, Oklahoma, 21 Jan 1920. Enumeration District 100, Roll T625_1455, Page 2B, Image 934. U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C. (Images: Ancestry.com. Image on file.)

 Revised 1 May 2020.