History of Northeast Indiana
LaGrange, Steuben, Noble and DeKalb Counties
Editorial Supervisors: Ira Ford [LaGrange], Orville Stevens [Steuben],
William H. McEwen [Noble] & William H. McIntosh [DeKalb]
The Lewis Publishing Company
Chicago and New York City
1920

ELI B. GRIFFIN. Food is the great necessity of the next few years
and many of the patriotic and far-visioned men of the country,
especially those who have had experience in farming, are returning to
the soil. realizing that in cultivating it they will be rendering a
valuable service to humanity. One of these men who are practically
demonstrating their love of contry is Rev. Eli B. Griffin of Pleasant
Township, Steuben County, Indiana, a man already distinguished in the
ministry of the United Brethren faith.
The birth of Eli B. Griffin took place on his present farm in
Pleasant Township August 1, 1867. He is a son of Charles and Jane
[McBride] Griffin, the former of whom was born in Steuben County, New
York, January 12, 1834. The latter was born in Stark County, Ohio,
October 6, 1839, a daughter of William McBride, a native of ireland.
The paternal grandparents, Eli and Eliza [Bundy] Griffin, were natives
of New York State and Cayuga County, New York, respectively. They came
west from New York to DeKalb County, Indiana settling on a farm near
Auburn.
Charles Griffin attended the schools of DeKalb County, and was
engaged in agricultural pursuits until he was twenty-two years old, when
he met with an accident which resulted in the loss of an arm. He was
driving a team operating an old-fashioned threshing machine when it ran
away, and so injured him that amputation resulted. It is a remarkable
fact that although he was thus crippled he attained a wide reputation as
an expert wood chopper. With the loss of his arm, however, he found it
necessary to adopt some calling which would enable him to earn a living
without too much physical effort, and he became a student at Wayne
Seminary, where he prepared himself for teaching. At one time he was
professor of mathematics at Fort Wayne, and always was an able
instructor. With the salary paid him for teaching he bought and paid
for a farm in DeKalb County, which he later sold and purchased a
mercantile business at Sedan, Indiana, but in 1867 traded it for a farm
in section 33, Pleasant Township, Steuben County. When he took
possession of it the only building then standing was a log cabin, and
only six acres of the land was cleared. Immediately he began improving
the place, erecting suitable buildings and installing appliances, and
here he spent the remainder of his life, at the time of his death owning
182 acres of land. He and his wife had the following children: Emma
J., who died at the age of twenty years; John N.; Eli B., whose name
heads this biography; Ida, who married Walter Ward; and Byron. The
parents of these children were consistent members of the United Brethren
Church.
Eli B. Griffin attended the publis schools of his native towhship,
and then took a three years' course at the Angola Tri-State college. A
United Brethren by inheritance and inclination, Mr. Griffin entered the
ministry of that church and continued to serve as such continuously
until October, 1917. He is now on an inactive leave for one year, and
is making good use of his vacation by operating his fine farm of
fifty-five acres. Mr. Griffin has been very active in his church,
serving for twelve years as presiding elder of the Michigan Annual
Conference of the United Brethren Church. For twenty successive years
he has been elected as a member of the General Conference of the church.
On June 23, 1892, Mr. Griffin was united in marriage with Nettie May
Dirrim, a daughter of Hugh W. Dirrim, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere
in this volume. Mr. and Mrs. Griffin became the parents of the
following children: Charles Wesley, who married Zana Oberst; Etta May,
who married Clarence Munger; Elcie Fae, who married Paul Irvin;
Wilhelmina Daisy; and Henry L. Mrs Griffin died October 2, 1918, having
been a devoted wife and mother and true Christian, and her loss is
mourned by her many friends.
Mr. Griffin is a man who has always given bountifully of his gifts to
his people, and has exerted a wonderful influence for good in his
community. He is not one to be readily deceived in men or misled in
measures, and so has naturaly been chosen as a leader. His work has
been carried on capably and effectively. Always accessile and
sympathetic to those who seek his help, sincere and unselfish, he has
always been an inspiration for activities of the best sort.


Submitted by: Joey Pedigo