Samuel Young Griffin and Elizabeth "Lizzie" Terry

Samuel Young Griffin
b. 23 Sept. 1840 Pocahontas Co, VA
m. 9 Oct. 1873, Sunnyside, Montgomery Co., KS
d. 2 Oct. 1891 Sycamore Twp. Montgomery Co., KS (Obituary says of typhoid fever)

Spouse: Elizabeth "Lizzie" Terry
b. 21 Jan. 1850, Milwaukee, Dane Co., WI
d. 20 Mar. 1939, Edmond, Okla. Co., OK

Samuel Young Griffin is the son of William Griffin and Elizabeth Rodgers. The family lived in Pocahontas County, VA (later West VA) farming in the area of the Greenbrier River near present day Marlinton. His grandfather, Jonathan Griffin, had migrated to VA from Connecticut and married, Rachel Sharp, daughter of pioneer William Sharp.

The following statements are abstracted from Samuel's obituary, not necessarily proven true.
Samuel "...was a drummer boy for Co. F 47th Reg. Ohio Vols. At the close of the war, he moved to Iowa with his father's family. Then moved to Jasper Co., MO. In 1869 moved to Kansas along with the late Col. Samuel Young. Lived north of Larimer, Kansas. On Oct. 9, 1873, he married Elizabeth Terry."

In Samuel Young Griffin's military pension records, registration and muster papers indicate that he enlisted Sept. 18, 1861 at Weston VA (became W. VA) at age 20, 5 days before his 21st birthday. We find no evidence that he was a drummer boy, although he was a provost guard (guarding officers' headquarters). His description was: blue eyes, dark hair, fair complexion, height 5 ft. 9 in.

Throughout his 3 years of service, he was taken ill at different times as were many soldiers of that war. He was hospitalized at Louisville, KY. He contracted measles in Feb. 1862, near Camp Tompkins, WVA, which resulted in chronic bronchitis. He was present in muster rolls during most of 1862. Spent most of 1863 at Louisville Hospital; had duty as provost guard there. During 1864, he was a member of the Veteran Reserve Corps, and was discharged in September at the end of his third year, at Chicago, IL. One major under whom he served was Major McCook, one of 15 of Ohio's "Fighting McCooks", who were involved in major battles at Chickamauga and Kennesaw Mt., GA, among others. A Col. Daniel McCook was killed at Kennesaw Mt., GA, fighting under General Sherman, June 1864. I do not know if Samuel Griffin's company was involved in this battle, although I do believe they were in Georgia, as one muster roll is dated Atlanta, Aug. 1864, which included his name. Follow this link to letters written by Samuel to his parents during the Civil War.

Lizzie Terry, daughter of William and Charlotte Terry, moved with her family from her birthplace in Milwaukee, WI, to Macon County, IL. During the Civil War, her brothers were naturalized and served in the Union Army. Her father died during the 1860s and the family moved to the Southeastern part of Kansas soon afterwards. Lizzie and Sam met in Montgomery County, Kansas, where they were married when Sam was 33 and Lizzie was 23 years of age. Their marriage certificate says the wedding took place "at the home of the bride's mother at Sunnyside."

Sam and Lizzie had seven children, six of whom grew to adulthood. Samuel's veteran pension papers verify the birthdates and places of the children, and who was present at the births.

Harry L. "Jack" Griffin, born Sept. 1874
Charles Walter "Charley" Griffin, a twin, born on March 15, 1877
Mata or Mattie Griffin, a twin, born on March 15, 1877
(Died at 6 months; buried at Crone's Cemetery)
Ira D. Griffin, born on Nov. 26, 1878
Clara M. Griffin, born on Dec. 17, 1881
Elmer E. Griffin, born on April 23, 1885
Floyd F. Griffin, born on Oct. 3, 1889

Samuel died in 1891. The funeral was at Krone's School Methodist Episcopal, where he was a member. He is buried at the Krone's Cemetery, Montgomery County, Kansas. His obituary states:
"Brothers still living at the time of his death: Andrew, Adam, Adonijah, John, William, and Peter. Sister: Mrs. Hugh McNutt."

A few months after Samuel's death, Lizzie and her children moved to Edmond, Oklahoma County, Oklahoma, where her mother-in-law, Elizabeth Rodgers Griffin, and brother-in-law, Peter C. Griffin had settled as 89ers.

We have posted a page which includes obituary and a tribute to Lizzie Terry Griffin, who passed away March 30, 1939 at 89 years. She is buried at Greenlawn Cemetery in Edmond.