Born in Trumbull County, Ohio, on the Western Reserve, April 2, 1820, and is a son of Philip and Lydia (Lee) Griffith. After leaving the district schools, where his primary education was acquired, he attended the academy in Farmington, Ohio, which was a branch of the Western Reserve College, located in Portage County. At the age of eighteen years he started out in life for himself, having since depended entirely upon his own resources. On the 30th of August, 1838, he left Farmington, Ohio, and made an engagement with a Mr. Grossbeck, who contracted for his services for a year. He drove a team to Ft. Madison, then known as the Black Hawk Purchase, after which he cultivated a farm for his employer until the time of his service expired, when he rented the same land and engaged in business for himself. After his crops had been gathered for the year, he went to West Point, Lee County, where he worked at the carpenter's trade. It was during his residence in West Point that, on the 17th of September, 1840, he was united in marriage with Miss Eales Brand. In 1839, during the troubles concerning the boundary line between Iowa and Missouri, Col. Griffith, as a member of the State Militia, was sent to the disputed territory. Matters, however, were settled by the Supreme Court of the United States, and he then returned home. Shortly afterward he was appointed Lieutenant of the State Militia by Gov. Lucas, and in 1843 was commissioned Captain by Gov. Chambers. He remained with the command until October 27, 1847, when he was discharged from the service and returned to Lee County. The public has also called up Col. Griffith for his services in the political field. He was elected and served as a member of the House of Representatives in 1848, that being the second session of the State Legislature. He filled the position to the satisfaction of all concerned, and at the expiration of his term returned home, only to be appointed Deputy Sheriff of Lee County. In 1850 he went to Washington, D. C., and by President Pierce was given a position on the police force of the capital, continuing to serve in that city a year after the occasion of James Buchanan to the Presidency. The family remained in the capital until the spring of 1858, when he was appointed Register of the United States Land office in Des Moines. He was appointed Deputy United States Marshal for the Western District of Tennessee, holding the office until the spring of 1868, when, with his family, he returned to Des Moines. The succeeding six years of his life were spent in charge of the toll-bridge and in the perusal of various vocations, whereby he might secure a livelihood for his family. These included a number of official positions, and in 1872 he was elected to the office of Coroner of Polk County. In 1886, he was appointed Bailiff of the Supreme Court of Iowa. He was successively appointed by Govs. Merrill, Kirkwood and Newbold, on the gubernatorial staff, with the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel of Cavalry. Mr. Griffith and his wife are earnest and faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Socially, he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the G. A. R. Post, of Des Moines.