Arnold’s Ancestry – By Velma Rose Smith

Great Grandfather Griffin was the son of John Henry Griffin and Barbara Bacus. He was born in the town of Manheim in Herkimer County, N.Y., in 1717. He was Dutch and Irish. He was married in 1793 to Mary Keller, who was Dutch. To them were born: Issac, John, Asa, Cornelius, Henry – born Feb. 10, 1822, died 1904, Betsy married Raab, Barbara married Francis, Mary married Fenton.

They were born about 25 miles from Utica. The Griffins are buried in the Manheim Cemetery near there.

Henry Griffin married Dorothy Ann Arnold Feb. 18, 1845. She was born May 30, 1826. Her father was full English, and her mother full Scotch, from Blecherstown, Mass. Both were very devout. To them were born: Joe, Alex, John, Dorothy Ann, Susan (Meisher) and Roxanne.

Henry and Dorothy Ann lived where Mel and Marian Reasinger live now (White’s Corner) in a nice big house, which burned a few years ago. They had the following children:
Cornelius – who had Merton, Bertha, Mable
Ella – married George Wilson
Merritt
Arnold – born 1858
Fanny – born Jan 24, 1861
Carrie – born Jan. 17, 1864, died Jan 17, 1960

Dorothy Ann Griffin died Jan 8 1870 at the age of 43. and Henry in 1904. They are buried in the Whitneyville Cemetery.

When the mother died, Ella took over caring for the family. Ella later married George Wilson, and they lived in Dartt Settlement. Rena (Coveney) was their daughter, she had three sisters, Kate Gerow, Louise Ludlam and Margaret Her brothers, George in California, Jim and Ernie.

Fannie married Charles Mather. They had one son Spencer, and Cane, Mable, Dorothy and Hazel. Dorothy and Hazel live in Corning. Fanny lived with them until she was killed in an auto accident, after she was 90. Mable married Walter Bollen, and they had Gladys and Fanny. Fanny is Eddie Jelliff’s second wife.

Corneluis, Merritt and Arnold went West. Uncle Arnold came east to visit several times, so we knew him, he was a big man, very nice looking. His wife’s name was Amy, they lived in Glendae, Montana (had a horse ranch). His daughters were Bessie and Mazie, and sons Lloyd, Carroll and Chester.

Carrie (R. Arnold’s mother) was the youngest and only 6 years old when her mother died. Her and 9 year old Fanny had to help Ella with the work. She told me an aunt would come to stay a few day to see how things were going, and the girls didn’t like her bossing. Mother told me, this Aunt called her the “red-headed spit-fire”. She was a pretty girl from her pictures.

Carrie attended the country school and was a good student. I found an old diary of Mother’s, some items are interesting so I have jotted them down.

Tuesday, March 2, 1880 – “Today Arnold and I have left home to cast our further interests in Dakota”. They went to Elmira, by horse and buggy and stayed all night at the Delavan House. They left there on a train for Chicago. She writes “Changed cars at Buffalo, crossed the Niagara River, below the Falls, it was after dark, but the moon had arisen, and we had an excellent view of the river, stretched out as it seemed in peaceful slumber”. At Detroit they were ferried across the river. They went below to watch the machinery run, “A great curiosity and enjoyable”.

Saturday, March 6, 1880 – “Arrived at Fargo last night, where we are compelled to remain on account of a blockade (Indian) between here and Bismark. We are staying at the Sherman House, opposite the Depot.” “It is lonesome here, it is Sunday, but we cannot go to Church or Sabbath School.”

“Monday finds me enduring the same monotony, having nothing to do and am exceedingly lonesome. No train going west as yet. I am going to a private home with Arny.”

Tuesday – “There are ten boarders here, and I am the only female, think I shall enjoy myself more, and not have such a dreary time as at the Hotel.”

Thursday – “Very cold, 10 below zero, snowing and blowing.”

Sunday – March 14, “Still in Fargo. Arny received a telegram from Merritt, telling us to come on west. I finished Robinson Crusoe, think myself as forlorn as he.”

March 18 – “We have started at last for Mandan, the ladies have a sleeping car.”

March 21 – “We are at Bismark, Merritt came over from Mandan, Arny knew Merritt, but Merritt didn’t recognize Arny. I knew Merritt.”

March 23 “I am going to Bismark, to take a Teachers Examination, and if I pass, I’ll write an application for the school.” She mentions the snow, day after day. Says Arny is scraping out a powder horn. They had wild duck for dinner.

May 6 – “Went to Church, the first time since leaving home.” We don’t know how long she remained in Mandan, but she did teach there.

She spoke about Arnold marrying Amy, and of Merritt, but we can’t find about her coming home.

But she did return, and met Eddie Smith, and they were married in Elmira, March 5, 1888, attended by Uncle Will and Aunt Jen Marsh. Carrie Orline Griffin to H. Edwin Smith.