Biography of George W. Griffin

George W. Griffin, of Franklin Falls village, the senior member of the firm G. W. Griffin & Co., and a native of Lisbon, N.H., was born April 2, 1839, son of George and Alice (Clark) Griffin. George Griffin manufactured wool in Danville and Barnet, Vt., for several years. Afterward he returned to Manchester, the place of his birth, and opened a store. The latter part of his life was spent at York Beach, Me. He was the proprietor of the Agamenticus Hotel there, and carried it on until the time of his death, which occurred in 1885, at the age of eighty-three years. He had six children, namely: William Henry, the eldestborn, who died in 1866; Almena J., who married Walter Bailey, a merchant of Lancaster, N.H.; Clara A., who married Thomas Howard, a wheelwright of Manchester; George W., the subject of this sketch; Georgia A., George’s twin sister, who died in 1865; and Heber C., a mechanic, who married Ann McKiver, of Franklin, N.H.

Mr. Griffin received his education in the common schools of the county. When twenty years of age he engaged in the manufacture of needles with the Hon. Walter Aiken, remaining in that business until 1880. In that year he and P. C. Hancock began the manufacture of saws, which he has since continued. The firm’s product includes patent scroll and hack saws and fine jeweller’s saws. On November 7, 1860, Mr. Griffin was united in marriage with Miss Addie M. Burgess, of Jay Bridge, Me., daughter of Nathaniel Burgess, a miller of that place. His children were: George A., who died at the age of seven months; Ralph B. and Ernest L., who are employed in their father’s factory. Mr. Griffin is a Mason of Meridian Lodge, No. 60, of Franklin. In politics he is a stanch Republican, and he is now a member of the City Council. He is connected with the Baptist church at Franklin. He is much esteemed by friends, neighbors, and customers, and is spoken of as one of the successful men of the town.