El Dorado County
Biographies
MAURICE GRIFFTH GRIFFITH
The subject of his sketch, was born on the historic grounds of Paoli, the headquarters of General Anthony Wayne during that epoch of the struggle for Independence, while the British troops were occupying Philadelphia, and the massacre of the American troops conducted by Major General Grey on the night of September 20, 1777, wherein no quarters were shown, had its result in retaliating measures when afterwards General Wayne stormed and carried Stony Point, his answer being “Remember Paoli.”
The family of Griffith came from Wales with the first settlers of that colony, the progenitor, Morris Griffith, founding the first Episcopal Church in the great valley near Paoli.
The grandfather, Benjamin, occupied the estate which passed to the father, John Griffith, where he raised a family of eight children, Maurice Griffith being the youngest and the fifth boy. His mother, Maria Barbara Tenny, was of French origin, her great grandfather, Schroddon, having left France for participation in political complications.
The family’s of Griffith and Tenny, espoused and bore their share of the Colonial cause, and the war of 1812 was participated in by John, the mother conducting the farming operations, but not neglecting to carry a hamper of eatables to her husband, thirty miles distant, every fortnight.
Raised a farmer, his education was attained during the winter months in the district public schools, the system having been adopted by the State during that time. At the age of 18 years, the winter months were occupied in teaching, and the summer months at work on the farm. On the acquisition of California by the United States Government, it was his permanent desire to come hither, and on the first day of May, 1849, bade adieu to all those he held dear, leaving Philadelphia to come overland, which was not accomplished till the 8th day of August, 1852, passing the Sierra’s and the north side of Lake Bigler. Having effected most of the distance on foot. The intervening three years were spent in Indiana and Illinois, the time being occupied in teaching and reading of law in the office of Mark Delahay. The first mining which attracted his attention was in Gold canyon, Nevada, the proprietor offering a one-half interest of mine and outfit to the invoice, to remain with him. The next mining operations was in Antonio canyon, North Fork of the American river.
Passing down to Yankee Jims, the abandoned wagons, the remaining stock and outfit were disposed of, and in company with a ’49-er, he struck for Big Bar on the Middle Fork of the American river, and two days labor were performed on the opposite bar with a rocker, the proceeds, about six dollars worth of dust, being donated to said ’49-er, the partnership ceased, and employment was sought for and obtained on Sandy Bar at $6.00 per day, two days work, the first being assessment work for James W. Shanklin, the now Surveyor General of California. The last month of that season was in a claim owned by himself at the head of Yankee Slide, obtained from an “honest” Dutchman, Fred Smutzler, who would not be prevailed upon to accept of a consideration, even the claim after being made to pay, for as he termed it was “noting wort.” Between the two a strong bond of friendship existed after Fred. crossed the river. The rainy season found him possessor of nearly one thousand dollars, the result of three months labor.
The month of December was spent in prospecting in Placer and Sacramento counties, near Mormon Island, and the day of remembrance to all good churchmen, Christmas, with its recollections of savory dinners of turkey and cranberry sauce, was spent in wading sloughs between the Island and the old Deer Creek House in a pelting storm of rain. The next day brought the advent to Diamond Springs via Mud Springs, through which a safe trip was made from mining down, by holding window sills and the sides of houses. ‘Twas said the street was packed with mules, but no ears being discernable its truthfulness is not vouched for by him. Arriving at Diamond by the early candle light, he was informed by a sign at a clubing [sic] establishment six by eight feet in the clear, that the house of Rothschild had an agency there, James Uhlman, proprietor and agent.
Stopping at the first class hotel, the Hammond House, some two hours were spent in waiting for a turn to “dry out.” Here was found a thrifty village, built on either side of the Sacramento road leading to Placerville, or Hangtown, as it was called, a half mile in extent in the midst of a rich placer field. He engaged in mining in Dead-man’s Hollow, realizing from ten to twelve dollars per drain. Next engaged in mining in Mathena creek, Gold Hill, Rich Bar on the Cosumnes river, and Bean Hill. At the same time being an itinerant purchaser of gold dust. On the failure of Adams & Co., the banking house, he moved into the office of Wells, Fargo & Co., and began the business of dust and bullion purchase, checks, or doing a banking business on a small scale, the purchases of dust aggregating from $200,000 to $300,000 annually. After the fire of 1856, wherein the town was nearly destroyed, a school-house being required, he accepted the unenviable position of trustee and soon had the satisfaction to see a commodious school building erected and equipped, which was afterwards daily attended by from seventy-five to ninety scholars, the classics and higher branches of mathematics being part of the instructions, the school being second to none in the county. Being a warm and zealous friend of the public school system, he continued to discharge the duty of trustee till called to the country [sic] seat at Placerville, to discharge the functions of the office of Sheriff to which he was elected in the Democratic victory of 1865, after having suffered two defeats on the head of the ticket in the year 1861 and 1863, though leading his ticket by many hundred votes. He was elected as his own successor, being the first in 1867, holding till March, 1870. During said terms of office he was most ably assisted in the arduous discharge thereof by Jas. B. Hume, under-Sheriff and Jas. D. McMurray and John Cartheche, Deputies. During said terms two double executors were administered. A strong partisan from principle, he never lost the esteem and friendship of his opponents, and was reckoned as the single-handed electioneerer of the day. While in the possession of office, private affairs, lumbering, mining, and agriculture, received due consideration. His nominations were accorded without opposition. His terminus of office was without a scandal, and he carried the good wishes, not only of his party but of many of the opposition, many of whom were his most ardent supporters.
In 1877 he consented to campaign for the State Senate; the district was Republican, and a new system of electioneering being inaugurated, he was defeated, though supported by many Republicans.
He retired from the lumber business and pursued mining and agriculture.
Historical Souvenir of El Dorado County, California with Illustrations & Biographical Sketches of its Prominent Men & Pioneers - Oakland, Cal. - Paolo Sioli, Publisher, 1883. p – 243-244
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler