hundred and sixty-two acres, and there he remained twenty years, after which he moved to Walnut Grove. where he had acquired fifty-three acres from his father. At about this time he engaged in the mercantile business, keeping for eight years the only general store in that vicinity. In 1900 he retired from all active service, having sold his stock of goods. At the present time (1906), he has a small farm which still gives him some employment. He also owns a comfortable residence in Walnut Grove. Like all the Griffith family, he is an ardent supporter of the Republican party. For many years he was school director in Conemaugh township. He is a member of the United Brethren church, and is president of its board of trustees. Mr. Griffith was united in marriage, September 18, 1860, to Rebecca Jacobi, by whom was born the following children: 1. Mary Margaret, born in Somerset county, June 19, 1861, married Jacob Reager, and their children are: William, Frank, Emma, Nicomiah, Zella and Harvey. 2. Edwin W., born September 12, 1863, died young. 3. William Grant, born June 1, 1865, in Cambria county, married, April 17, 1888, Della Shaffer, daughter of David Shaffer; their children are: Waldo, born September 12, 1889; Austin H. and Melom H. (twins), born February 21, 1892; Melom died 1899; Ralph F., born October 9, 1894; Merle, born July 25, 1900. 4. Simon Lewis, born February 29, 1868, in Cambria county, married Annie Wilson, by whom he has had: Lester, Walter and Eva. 5. Abner Franklin, born in Cambria county, August 27, 1869, married Blanche Shrader, by whom was born George Crawford, died in childhood, Stella, and Alfred, died in infancy. 6. Clara E., born September 17, 1871, in Cambria county, married Karl A. Griffith, and has had Park, Elsie, Margaret, Dalzell, Emily and Harold. 7. Sarah Jane, born July 8, 1873, died August 1, 1889. 8. Minerva Ellen, born August 4, 1875, in Cambria county, married John Lohr, and they are the parents of Ruth and Bessie. 9. Lucinda Elizabeth, born February 8, 1878, in Cambria county, married Ervin E. Stuver, and they have Verda and Edwin G. 10. Ida L., born September 23, 1881, in Cambria county, married Lewis H. Adams of the Johnstown News Agency. (IV) Uriah A. Griffith, the eighth child of Abner Griffith, was born March 27, 1852. His mother was Mary (Reighart) Griffith. He was reared in Somerset county until six years of age, when his parents removed to Walnut Grove, Cambria county. His education was obtained in the public schools. Until he reached his majority he remained on his father's farm and assisted in the work of the place. He then found employment in the Cambria Iron Company at Homestead, Pennsylvania, and there remained over one year, then returned to Johnstown and became an employe of the Lorain Steel Company. After leaving the iron business he launched into the milk business for himself. In this he succeeded well and continued in the same for fourteen years, selling out in 1903. Being in full possession of all his physical powers, he did not care to remain unemployed, so he opened a grocery store at Walnut Grove, in which he is now doing a good business. While never taking an active part in local politics, he has served his township as tax collector. Mr. Griffith was first married to Mary Updegrave, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Updegrave. By this union two children were born-Grace, married Frank Repp and is the mother of Lillian and Walter: and George Earl. By his second wife, Mary (Bruce) Criffith, a native of Scotland, he is the father of William, Edith, Norah, Emma, Marcus, Norman and Margaret. (IV) Lowman Eli Griffith, son of Eli and Elizabeth (Reighart) Griffith, was born in Conemaugh township, Cambria county, Pennsylvania, August 10, 1860. The father, son of Abner Griffith, was born in Somerset county, on his father's farm, in November, 1823. Children of Abner Griffith were: John O., died August 12, 1882. William, married a Miss Hare. Abner, married Mary Reighart. Eli, married Elizabeth Reighart Deborah, married John Johnson. Sarah, married a Mr. Berkey. Eli Griffith, father of Lowman Eli Griffith, was reared on the farm, and upon the death of his father helped his mother to manage until he had reached his majority, when he inherited his share of the estate (one hundred and sixty acres). In 1857 he sold his share to his brother Levi, and then removed to Johnstown, where, at Walnut Grove, he purchased a tract of one hundred and ten acres, which is now owned jointly by his children. Here he farmed and reared his family of sons and daughters. Politically he was first a Whig and later a stanch Republican, and it is related of him that he never voted other than a straight ticket. He died in 1902. His children were: 1. Oliver Lemuel, born May 1, 1841, married Maria McCormick, and had Ella, Lizzie and Olga. 2. Joshua, born October 13, 1843, married, January 25, 1860, Emma Thomas, by whom he has had children: Sadie, Effie, Forest, Elma, William and May. 3. Isaac E, born January 12, 1846, see forward. 4. Reuben L., born April 22, 1851, married, September 15, 1880, Sophia Glitch, born March 20, 1858; children: Laura Lulu, born September 26, 1881; Ralph, born June 4, 1883, died March 24, 1887; Regina, born June 18, 1885; Clifford, born September 15, 1887, died March 15, 1888; Mary Amanda, born April 15, 1889; Phillip G., born September 3, 1892, died March 22, 1895; Warren E., born September 30, 1894; Richard C. E., born August 22, 1896; Lovise Evangeline, born September 6, 1898. 5. Jonathan, born April 12, 1853, married, July 17, 1879, Mary L. Barber, and to them have been born Edgar, Wilbert and Alice M. 6. Mary A., born July 17, 1855, married Edward Witt, and has had children: Edith and Genevive. 7. Emma E.. born January 16, 1858, married Johnson Blackburn, and has had: Lloyd, Leila and Lula. 8. Lowman E., of whom later. 9. Clara Jane, born August 3, 1863, died January 21, 1864. 10. Sarah Melissa, born April 4, 1865, married Henry Arthur. 11. William, born May 17, 1867, married Dollie Ready, and their children are Melissa Alverda, James Clifford, Lloyd Arlington and Frederick Raymond. Lowman Eli Griffith was reared on his father's farm and obtained a common school education in the schools of his home township. He aided his father with the farm work until he reached his majority, when he took charge of the place and managed it until the estate was finally settled. He then went into the dairy business, which he carried on with success and profit for eight years. He has also dealt considerably in real estate, and at present is possessed of considerable realty in both Johnstown and Walnut Grove. He has numerous houses which he rents, and is about to erect a comfortable residence in which to reside in himself. The coal rights of the land inherited from his father he has sold for a handsome figure. The interest he has ever taken in publie matters and educational affairs is best seen by the long period he has held local office, such as school director and supervisor. He is the present president of the local school board, and has held some township official position for the last eighteen years. |