Isaac N. Griffith, in 1887 a retired merchant, was one of the pioneers of Carroll, being identified with the interests of the town since 1869. He sold the first dry goods that were sold in the town. He had a large trade, his customers coming from Carroll, Sac, Crawford and Calhoun counties. He bought large quantities of furs one season, about $10,000 worth. In 1883 he retired from active business. He says language would fail to depict the trials, hardships and good times the early settlers had.

Isaac N. Griffith was born in West Virginia March 3, 1813. His father, John Griffith, was also a native of Virginia (interesting wording?!), and of Welsh ancestory; he served in the war of 1812. His mother, Hannah (Thornburg) Griffith, was reared a Quaker near Winchester, VA. The parents reared eight chidren, four sons and four daughters. Isaac was the seventh child and youngest son. His father died when he was two years old. He remained at home on the farm until he was twelve years of age, at which time the mother and children removed to Greene Co, OH, and our subject went to learn the trade of tanner and currier and shoemaking, which he followed many years.

Isaac married Miss Paulina Johnston, a native of Virginia, who had been reared a Quaker. Her parents were Pleasant and Nancy Johnston. Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Griffith had six children: Hannah Ann, Benjamin T., John H., J. E., Eli P., and Helen E. Mr. Griffith remained in Greene County, OH, until he came to Iowa. He first located in Henry Co, near Mount Pleasant, where he lived until 1849, then removed to Mahaska County, where he improved a farm of 160 acres. Mrs. Griffith died 30 Dec 1850. For his second wife, Mr. Griffith married Miss Cordelia Lawrence, a native of Chautauqua Co, New York, and daughter of Jonathan and Charity (Hathaway) Lawrence, natives of Massachusetts. To his second marriage were born two children: Ella and Isaac N. In 1852 Mr. Griffith removed to Marshall Co, IA, where he purchased a saw and grist-mill. While here his wife made the first bolt of cloth used in a mill in Marshall Co. After operating the mill two or three years, he removed to Poweshiek Co, where he followed the nercantile trade until 1869, when he came to Carroll.