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Note: Item received from Virginia Clawson:
Item from 1906 "The Emporia Weekley Times"
THE CITY MEAT MARKET
John Griffiths, owner of the City Meat Market came to Kansas from Wales, landing in Emporia, twenty-six years ago. After a year he settled in Hartford where he has since lived. He owns a nice home one-half mile north of town where he resides with his family. Mr. Griffiths is proprietor of the only butcher shop in town and supplies his customers with the best the market affords.
The thing that quickly attracts the attention of everyone that enters Mr. Griffiths shop is the system, cleanliness and order maintained by him. The room is large and its furnishings are neatly and conveniently arranged not only to suit the hasty desires of the proprietor but for the convenience and accommodation of his customers.
Mr. Griffiths for years has purchased the peoples fat stock in the vicinity of Hartford in sufficient quantities to supply the demand of his large number of customers and his dealings have been uniformily satisfactory. He now has a good business, which is profitable and steadily growing.
Mr. Griffiths assistant and bookkeeper is Mr. O.P. Ray who because of his popularity and strict attention to business is a valuable support and is entrusted with the work of the shop entirely in Mr. Griffiths absence.
The two men work well together and are deserving of the success they have attained.
Both gentlemen take the same pride in the town, its growth and welfare that they do in their own business and in this fact the town is fortunate. The business men work together for its general upbuilding, educational and material advancement. Mr. Griffiths and Mr. Ray are doing their share of the work and are pleased with the result of their efforts.
OBITUARY: Thomas John Griffiths. The funeral of John Griffiths, who died suddenly at his home in this place Wednesday night, September 20, 1916, was held from the M.E. church last Friday afternoon, conducted by Rev. R.T. Harkness, of Dunlap, Kans., assisted by the pastor, Rev. G. J. Rhodes, and Rev. Houchins, pastor of the M.E. church at Olivet. Rev. Harkness did not deliver a sermon, but told of the wonderful conversion of the deceased and of the upright Christian life he lived thereafter. The funeral was quite large, the popularity of the man prompting many to paythis last sad tribute of respect. The floral tributes were numerous and beautiful. After the services at the church the remains were taken to the Hartford cemetery for interment, the members of the Masonic order, of which the deceased was an honored member, accompanied the body. At the grave the impressive funeral rites of the order were read. Thomas John Griffiths was born in Montgomery Parish, Newtown, North Wales, May 2, 1857, and was aged 59 years, 4 months and 18 days. He was the youngest of six children of John and Jane Griffiths. Two sisters survive of this family, Mrs. Susanah Davis, of Blackington, Mass., and Mrs. Ellen Jones, of Newtown, North Wales. When a young man he served the English army as a member of the King's Guards in Wales and held a medal from the king for being the best swordsman in his regiment. At the age of twenty-five years he came to America and first located in Massachusetts. In 1882 he moved to Kansas and located in Hartford, where he resided until his death. He was married to Miss Luella Tweedy Oct. 11, 1887. To this union were born ten children, all of whom, with the exception of two sons, Evan and John, were present at the funeral. The children are Mrs. Chas. Shull, of this place; Evan Griffiths, who is in the forestry service in south Dakota; Mary Griffiths, who teaches in the Peabody, Kans., schools; Grace Griffiths, who teaches at Olivet, Kans.; Mrs. Floyd Cassady, of Neosho Rapids; John Griffiths, jr., who has been in Missouri, and Gladys, Inez, Vernon, and Margaret Griffiths at home. The deceased was converted and united with the Methodist Episcopal church in 1894 and the Christian life he lived since that time has been a shining example to all with whom he came in contact. Mr. Griffiths was a butcher by trade and when he first came to Kansas worked for Mr. Atherton in Emporia. After coming to Hartford he worked in the shop of C.A. Johnson, then for John Dudley and later engaged in business for himself. About two years ago failing health caused him to dispose of his business and go to California in the hope that he might be helped. He returned home after six months not much improved and from that time on he gradually failed in health. The death of John Griffiths has cast a deep gloom over this community, which will not be dispelled in many months to come. As a butcher he had no superior and as a citizen he was conspicuous for his pleasing presence and geniality. He was loyal, generous to a fault, and none more quick to respond to the needy than he. His jovial disposition, his thoughtfulness of both old and young attracted all to him. His memory will long be cherished by those who had the privilege of enjoying his friendship. How many who has passed of this community for years was more universally liked, admired and respected than John Griffiths and since his death on every hand can be heard words in praise of him, the relating of acts of kindness, some work or deed than removed the little cloud of care and trouble from someone's life than misfortune had beset. A good, kind and considerate man, loving all and loved by all--that was John Griffiths. Those from out of town who attended the funeral were Mr. and Mrs. John Dudley, Mr. and Mrs. Sherman Tweedy, Mr. and Mrs. B.F. Timmerman, Dr. and Mrs. W.H. Richards, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Lytle, Mrs. R.H. Martin, Miss Hannah Evans and Mr. Atherton, of Emporia; Harry Staley, of Richmond, Kans., and Evan Jones, of Lebo. CARD OF THANKS To the kind friends and neighbors who so willingly assisted us during the sickness and death of our beloved husband and father, we wish to extend our heartfelt thanks; also the Mason lodge, those who assisted in the singing and those sending flowers. May the Lord bless you all and spare you such sorrow, is our sincere wish.
Emporia Library - Membership Records of Hartford Methodist Church - 1980 - James L. Herrick. John Griffiths - member June 1894 from probabtion. D 20 Sep 1916. B 2 May 1857, Montgomery Parish, Newtown, North Wales. Died in Hartford, KS.
Inscription on Snuff Box presented to John Griffiths:
Presented By
Lieut. Col. Sir W W Wynn Bart: MP
To
John Griffiths
the best swordsman in
Captain William Henry Adam's Troop 1875
(According to David Peate-Sir William Watkins Wynn was the member of parliament for Montgomeryshire in the 1870s - personal correspondence 4/99).
In Hartford City Records:
Bus. 14, 15, 17, 21, 33, 41
11 April 1892 - John Griffiths had an unpaid fine in the amount of $7.50 which was cancelled.
3 July 1902 - John Griffiths was appointed as a "special policeman" for July 4th.
The following information is from the book, MAKING A BUCK/BUILDING A TOWN, A Summary of the Places of Business of Hartford, Kansas to 1969, Compiled By James L. Herrick, P.O. Box 338, Lyndon, Kansas 66451 ( from newspaper articles and ads): Dudley & Griffiths Meats - 1896; Jan 1897-Partnership dissolved. John Dudley sold his interest to W. H. Flickinger; June 1898-Dudley bought out Flickinger & Griffiths, Fresh & Cured Meats; Jan 6, 1899-sold half interest to John Griffiths; 1900-added grocery stock; Apr 1904-sold out groceries; Sep 1902-Partnership between O.P. Rayl, John Dudley, and John Griffiths dissolved. Rayl retiring; Aug 26, 1904-Dudley & Griffiths sold their butcher shop Tuesday to William Mayes, west of town, who took possession at once. Chas. Hamilton has been employed to do the butchering. Mr. Griffiths will assist for a time. John Dudley & John Griffiths have been engaged in the butcher business in this place for nearly twenty years and their familiar faces will be missed at the shop. They have not decided what they will follow in the future; Jun 30, 1905-The old reliable butcher, John Griffiths will open up a meat market in the middle of next week in the Dimmick building; Apr 1906-Purchased equipment of John Dudley and moved to his shop; Mar 1910-Closed due to the high cost of meat; Jun 1910;Reopened; Jun 19, 1914-John Griffiths last week sold his meat market and slaughter house to John (Butcher) Jones, Lebo, who took posssession last Friday. Mr. Griffiths has conducted a meat market in this place for many years and is one of the best butchers in the country. He was compelled to give up the business on account of ill health. He will take a rest for a while and try to recuperate.
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