Biographies Michigan Biographies Project |
It was in the year of 1834 that Oliver Griffin, then a resident of Washington county, New York, loaded his earthly effects, including a family of four boys and four girls, upon a lumber wagon and with a team of horses started for the wilds of Michigan.
At Buffalo they took shipping, crossed Lake Erie, and were landed at Detroit -- then a frontier settlement. From Detroit to Napoleon, Jackson county, where the family first settled, the journey was continued with team, for the most part through unbroken forests, coming via Ann Arbor. Of necessity the entire family were obliged to make the distance on foot. At this time the subject of this sketch was fifteen years of age. For seven years the family remained at Napoleon -- the elder Griffin following the trade of shoemaker. Rosolvo also learned the trade of his father and worked at it for severals years after the family moved to Mason, which was in 1841. Referring to some of the early privations of these days, Mr. Griffin recalls the fact that for several weeks the family subsisted on salf and potatoes alone. At that time Detroit was the nearest poing that flour could be obtained. A neighbor calling during the meal hour noticed the scant bill of fare. The next morning a sack of flour was found on the doorstep.
During the winter following the settlement of the family at Mason, ten acres of land of what is known as the Frank White farm, just south of the city limits, were "slashed" to furnish browse for the cattle. No fodder other than the elm and basswood browse was fed to the cattle the winters of 1842 and 1843, and upon it they seemed to thrive and contributed their share to the support of the family. The building first occupied here as a home was of slabs procured from a mill erected by Emmons White, located near the site of the old cheese factory. The house which was used as a residence and also as a shoe shop, stood on the first lot north of the old Isaac Horton residence on Main street north. Dr. J. D. Phelps was the only resident physician at the time. Dr. Minos McRoberts came the following spring. Both these names appear often in the transactions of the early years. Henry H. Smith was County Treasurer, and his office, with those of other county officers, was located in a small building, standing where the Sheriff's residence and jail now stand.
Although never a seeker for public office, the name of Rosolvo F. Griffin appears frequently among those who carried the responsibilities of public affairs in the years before blanks were used and almost every document had to be written out in full. Mr. Griffin refers with some degree of pride to the fact that he served as an associate with John W. Longyear, as school inspector, at the time when two inspectors and the Township Clerk formed the Board of the examination of teachers. Mr. Longyear was at the time a young law student. This was the year the capitol was located at Lansing. A candidate for pedagogy was asked to locate the capital of the State. He named Detroit, and of course lost one point in the count. The first schoolhouse, also used as a church, in the berg stood on the lot now occupied by the residence of Albert Hoyt on North Main street. The prepayment of postage was not required in those days, and as the postage on a letter was twenty-five cents, often a trip was made to the office to find out if the letter was there and learn if the postage was paid, and if not, it was not an unusual thing for several days to elapse before the required amount was forthcoming to secure the letter.
Mr. Griffin helped to log off the ground now occupied in the court yard. He and "Deacon" Osborn have together hunted and killed wild turkey and deer within the city limits. For years after their settlement here, a tribe of Indians, of which old Johnnie Okemos was chief, maintained a camp on a part of their land. Exchange of "plunder" was frequent. Later young Jonnie, who succeeded his father as chief, has often visited Mr. Griffin and talked over the events of days long gone. The tavern was a log structure, and stood at the corner of the four section, in the center of the street, in front of Mrs. Dr. Campbell's residence. Cobbling was exchanged for anything the family could use, and murrain hides and black, salty maple sugar were also taken and carted to Dexter with an ox-team and traded for leather; six days being required for the round trip. Mr. Griffin served the Township of Vevay as Supervisor, while yet Mason was included; as he distinctly recalls that he received for his services in taking the assessment and spreading the tax, sixth-three dollars. When Mason was given a city charter, Mr. Griffin was chosen its first mayor. He established the Mason Carriage Factory, and was for several years its financial backer. Through the mismanagement of others, the enterprise cost him many thousands of dollars.
In June, the twenty-second day, 1849, Mr. Griffin married Miss Cynthia Ann Polar, dauther of Mr. and Mrs. Seneca Polar, and together for more than a half century they have shared the fortunes of somewhat eventful lives. Both are still alive with the cares and duties of life. Seven children have been born to them, a pair of twins dying in infancy. Fours sons and a daughter are living: Charles and Oliver have reamined at home, and are interested with their father in farming operations and dairy interests; Capt. George P., commanded Co. F, 31st Michigan, and went with his command to Cuba, he is now engaged in the hardware trade at Albion; Edwin R., resides at Denver, Col., having advanced through all the grades from station agent to superintendent of frieght of the great Union Pacific line; the daughter, Nettie, is the wife of Clinton Land of Mason.
From the birth of the Republican party to the year 1873, when the government demonetized silver, Mr. Griffin was an ardent supporter of its principles. This act he deemed an outrage to the common people. He "line up" with the Greenback party for a time, but of late has been a free voter, voting independently. In the matter of religion, Mr. Griffin, holds liberal views. Mrs. Griffin has been for years a member of the M. E. Church.
Physically, Mr. Griffin is of a strong type of the Michigan pioneer. Clear in conviction, outspoken in manner, one has only to ask to learn his sentiments upon any question of policy of public interest. He has lived to read the epitaphs on the tombs of nearly all those who were once active with him in the affairs of life.
Host of frients wich for these well-preserved old pioneers many returns of their wedding anniversary. In the enjoyment of a good competence, surrounded by children and grandchildren, they are going toward the setting of the sun.
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Biographies Michigan Biographies Project |
 Sondra Higbee
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