St. Clair County Obits

WESLEY GRIFFITH

Appleton City Tribune
25 May 1908
A Prominent Citizen.
Dies From an attack of Lockjaw.
Mr. Wesley Griffith, one of the wealthiest, best known and oldest residents of Monegaw township, this county, died at his home Monday night from lockjaw, which developed from a slight scratch on his hand nearly a week ago.
His death is deplored by all our people as he was a most useful citizen and a man of prominence and influence.
The following biographical sketch is taken from the History of Henry and St. Clair Counties, section 1, a prominent farmer and stockman of this county, was born in Macon county, Illinois, January 22, 1841. His father B. Griffith, was a native of Ross County, Pennsylvania, and his mother, formerly Leah Deafenbaugh, of Hawkins County, same state. The former was one of the pioneer settlers of Macon County, Illinois. In 1851 he removed to De Witt County, where he is now a leading farmer and stock raiser. Wesley spent his youth on his father’s farm, enjoying good common school advantages. He came to Missouri in 1869 and located in St. Clair County, settling on the farm where he now resides. He has 860 acres of land, with 320 in cultivation. He makes a specialty of feeding cattle and feeds on an average three carloads of steers and about fifty hogs annually. Mr. Griffith was married in Henry County February 18, 1876, to Miss Sarah E. Kirk, a daughter of James A. Kirk. She came originally from Rowan County, Kentucky. Mr. And Mrs. Griffith are members of the Christian Church.
Deceased leaves a wife, several children and a host of friends who mourn his death. Funeral services were conducted by Rev. Price, of Schell City, at Teays Chapel this Wednesday afternoon at two o’clock. The services were largely attended.