Sacramento
County
Biographies
JOHN
T. GRIFFITTS
JOHN T.
GRIFFITTS, capitalist, Sacramento, was born in
Burlington County, New Jersey, in December, 1835. His father, Samuel Powell Griffitts,
was in mercantile pursuits and farming, but in 1849 he removed, with his family,
to Mishawaka, St. Joseph County, Indiana, the former home of Charles
Crocker. Indeed, when Mr. Griffitts, our subject, came to California ten years later
to reside, it was under an engagement to Mr. Crocker. Landing in Sacramento in April, 1856, he at once
entered Crocker’s store. In May, 1863,
he bought out Mr. Crocker’s interest.
The store was then located on J street, between
Eighth and Ninth, and the firm was Duell, Griffitts & Co.
During that year, 1863, the Sacramento Light Artillery was Organized,
Composed of Professional and business men.
Edgar Mills was the first captain, and the second was S. S. Montague,
chief engineer of the Central Pacific Railroad, Mr. Griffitts
became corporal, and served with the organization several years. In 1872 he bought out his remaining partners
in the store, and continued alone until February, 1887. In the fall of that year he embarked in the
real estate and insurance business, and a year afterward became a member of the
firm of E. H. Stevens & Co. Mr. Griffitts has held many positions of trust. In 1878 he was a member of the board of
education, and was president of the same two years, and during his term Jarvis
Johnson established the School of Technology, the Capital Grammar School
building was erected, and other improvements made; he was also a fire
commissioner for six years, and during his term as such the department acquired
the property on Seventh street, between K and L; and for four years he was
county assessor. Of late he has in some
degree retired from the more active duties, becoming interested in fruit
culture at Courtland since 1884. He has
also located many tracts of State land for settlers, having much experience and
a thorough knowledge of the topography of the State. He has at all time taken an active interest
in politics. He voted for John C.
Fremont in 1856, and has ever since then been a loyal Republican; has been a
member of the City Central Committee, and of various conventions. At Laporte,
Indiana, in 1860, he married Miss Georgiana Root, a native of New York State,
and daughter of Colonel Root, well known as a colonel of militia in this
State. Mr. and Mrs. Griffitts
have a son and a daughter. The family
with which Mr. Griffitts is connected is a very
prominent one in the city of Philadelphia.
His father was a native of the city, born in 1794; and the latter’s
father was also a native of the same city.
His grandfather, William Griffitts, was born
in Wales in 1724, emigrated to Philadelphia, and married Abigail Powell,
daughter of Samuel Powell, both families being “Friends.” Powell’s avenue in Philadelphia was named for
them, and Dr. Samuel Powell, a near relative, was a very prominent physician
there.
Transcribed by Karen Pratt.
Davis, Hon. Win. J., An Illustrated History of Sacramento County, California. Pages 580-581. Lewis Publishing Company. 1890.
© 2007
Karen Pratt.