The Griffith family came to the area that is now Breathitt County in the early 1800s. They settled on the Middle Fork and became prosperous landowners. Known for their business savvy, the Griffith descendants were generally “an industrious lot.”
Thomas Griffith and his wife, Eleanor (Fox) Griffith, settled in the Turkey Creek and Elsome Creek section of Breathitt County. At one point, their land straddled the ridge between Bug Hollow of Turkey Creek and Elsome. Thomas died in September 1869, according to his tombstone, and Elenora soon followed him. They are buried in a small cemetery with their daughter on Elsome Creek. Their four surviving children remained in Breathitt County.
Their son, James Carlisle Griffith, served in the Union Army during the Civil War and settled on a large tract of land on Four Mile of Turkey Creek. He and his wife, Elizabeth McIntosh, raised eight children, including five sons who followed their father into politics and served in numerous civil positions. James Carliles’s son, William, born 1861, was perhaps the most successful.
The graves of James C. and Elizabeth (McIntosh) Griffith are at the Griffith Cemetery at the old Griffith homeplace on Four Mile of Turkey Creek.
With the support of his wife, Leann Combs, William Griffith served the county as a Constable and later Magistrate. He settled disputes and other legal issues during his terms as Justice of the Peace for the Turkey Creek area. In 1900, William and Leann, with their young family, left Turkey Creek and relocated to a “river farm” near the Breathitt and Wolfe County line. He died there on May 31, 1931. The Jackson Times printed his obituary on the front page of its June 5, 1931 edition.
PROMINENT CITIZEN PASSES TO REST
William Griffith, prominent citizen of this county died at his home near Frozen Creek, Saturday night about 2 o’clock following a lingering illness, of several months duration.
William Griffith
Mr. Griffith was born September 30, 1861 and died May 31, 1931, being 70 years of age. He was reared on Turkey Creek, this county, where he lived until 1900 when he moved near Frozen Creek near the Breathitt and Wolfe County line. Here he lived until his death.
Mr. Griffith had been in declining health for the past year but his condition became serious several weeks ago and he was brought to the hospital in this city for treatment in an effort to regain his health but he continued to grow worse until his death.
He was taken back to his home about a month ago.
As a progressive citizen, Mr. Griffith stood as a leader of his community. He had served as Magistrate of his district and was active in civic and fraternal interests in the county. He was a member of the Baptist church, the Masonic Order and Knights of Pythias Lodge.
On December 17, 1884, Mr. Griffith was married to Miss Leanah Combs. To this union were born ten children, five of whom survive.
Funeral services were held at, the home Sunday afternoon at 2 o’clock, conducted by Rev. Trulin Miller. The remains were laid to rest in the family burying ground near the home. W. E. Blake, undertaker of this city had charge of the body.
Surviving the deceased are his widow, three sons, Joe and George Griffith of Frozen Creek and Robert L. Griffith of Key; two daughters, Mrs. Dora Lockhard, Frozen Creek and Mrs. Walter Oliver of this city; one brother, Abe Griffith, Altro and a sister, Mrs. Arch Combs, Shoulder Blade, thirty grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
The Jackson Times, June 5, 1931, page 1
William Griffith was buried in the Griffith Cemetery on the Breathitt-Wolfe line near the mouth of Holly Creek.
Leann (Combs) Griffith
Leann (Combs) Griffith lived until December 15, 1965. She was buried with him in the Cedar area near their home. William and Leann Griffith’s descendants would continue the tradition of community service. William Griffith’s grandson, George B. Griffith, Jr., served as Coroner of Breathitt County before he died in 2019.
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