A Brief History of

ANCIEL FERNANDO GRIFFETH

by himself

I was born February 16, 1876, at Hyde Park, Utah. I am the son of Patison Delos Griffeth and Sarah Elizabeth Roberts. I lived in Hyde Park until I was five years old. We moved to Fairview, Franklin County, Idaho and lived five years. We moved to Auburn, in Star Valley, Wyoming, where we lived another five years. We then moved back to Fairview for another five years. When I was twenty-one years old we moved back to Star Valley, settling in Grover, where I have lived until two years ago when I moved to Salt Lake City, Utah. (Written in July, 1948) I still have my place in Grover, Wyoming.

While living in Fairview, I attended school at the Oneida Stake Academy (now Preston High School). We surely had some good old times while going to school there. Edward, Irene Griffeth and I used to ride in a buggy or a sleigh from Fairview to Preston, a distance of three miles. I remember when one of the teachers, Joseph G. Nelson, called on Edward to pray and he poked me and said, “Anciel, he is calling on you to pray.” I got up and prayed. The next morning Brother Nelson said, ‘Brother Edward Griffeth, will you pray’.

So Ed, as he was called, had to do the praying himself that morning, for every one knew which Brother Griffeth he meant.

I have been a farmer and a rancher and have sheared sheep. I have driven a school bus to help with our living expenses.

In the church I have held the office of Deacon, Teacher, Seventy and High Priest. In the Mutual Improvement Association, I have been President, counselor and chorister. I have been Sunday School chorister. I was ward chorister for thirty—seven years. I was chairman of the church welfare for about five years. I have been on the dance committee, ward teacher and home missionary. I was called to visit the wards with the high councilmen.

I was married in 1900 to Luella Anderson in the Logan Temple. We have had ten children: Leona, Delynn, Arid, Alta, Mildred, Arville, Maurine, LaVelle, LaVere and Vaughn. We have ten grand children at present date (17 July 1945).

My children are all fond of music. They like to sing. Life has been all right, especially on the gospel side of it.

“ END OF HIS WRITING **

We his nieces, Alice Albertie Griffeth Griffith and Azuba Griffeth Alder are adding the following.

Uncle Anciel was one of the most pleasant men that ever lived. In September of 1941, the Griffeths of the east invited us Mormon relatives of the west to join with them in a reunion at Kansas. (These Griffeths of the east are the descendants of Patison Delos Griffeth’s brothers and sisters who refused to follow Brigham Young to the valley of the mountains. They joined the Reorganized Church.) George and Zola Dais, Edgar and Azuba Alder and George and Anciel Griffeth went to the reunion. Anciel was the life of the party. He sang, told jokes and laughed. He left his purse tucked between the pillow and the pillow case at one place where he slept. He didn’t discover what he had done until we traveled several miles and he wanted to give a treat. He made a joke of it and went on to the reunion. Then, he picked up the purse on his way back home.

He died at the age of 77 years on October 20, 1958. The funeral was held on October 23, 1958 in Salt Lake City. His body was taken to Grover, Wyoming for burial.

He lived a happy and very useful life. He had friends everywhere he was known. At the funeral everyone that spoke mentioned his cheerfulness. They said at work he was called ‘Daddy Anciel’ because he was always willing to give an encouraging word and a helping hand to everyone that needed it.

He suffered a lingering illness but kept cheerful to the end. His love for his fellow men and his love and devotion to his church never weakened. To know him was to love him and surely he will receive the reward of the “JUST”.