Patrick Griffith	Mary Griffith

Patrick Griffith was born on 17 March 1831 in County Donelgal, Ireland. He came to the United States and landed in New York City when he was 15 years old. He moved to Pittsburgh and he married Mary Tanney September 24, 1854 in Lawrenceville, (Pittsburgh) Pennsylvania. Patrick remained there for 7 years working at gardening and receiving for 62 cents a day; wages soon increased and he was able to earn a fair livelihood. In 1852 he packed up the family and moved Goodhue County, Minnesota, where he bought a farm of forty acres, In the fall of 1862 Patrick enlisted in the First Minnesota Heavy Artillery, and served until the close of the war some 9 months later. During his time in the service he was stationed at Chattanooga, Tennessee. due to poor rations and severe exposure, he lost his health, which he never fully regained. After the war Patrick  went home and work the farm hard and as fast as his means would allow, he bought additional land. When he sold out in 1878, his farm comprised some 280 acres under good cultivation. then he moved to Stevens County and bought 320 acres for $2600 and made that his home until moving to Morris in 1899. He died on 14 Nov 1905 in Morris, Minnesota.  

Marry was born May 4, 1830 in Tyrone, Ireland, and died August 31, 1925 in Morris, Minnesota. 

Patrick's parents:

Mary's parents: John & Sarah Tanney

Notes about Patrick Griffith:

Patrick came to the United States at about the age of 15. It is not documented if he traveled alone or with someone. There may have been up to five brothers who came to this country. On an early census another is listed below his name, the name cannon be read clearly.

After he and Mary were married they stayed in Pittsburgh for about seven years before they headed by oxen to Minnesota. The settled at a place called Cherry Grove. It is while living there that in 1862 he enlisted in the army and was assigned to the Fist Minnesota Heavy Artillery which was stationed in Tennessee where he remained till the close of the war. During these time the family may have had a hard time.

 This came from the Full Context of American Civil War Soldiers Database. 

Source: Minnesota in the Civil and Indian Wars 1861-65
Abbreviation: MNRoster
Published by on 1890

Patrick received a land grant which is signed by then President Grover Cleveland.

Patrick's homestead Location:

More about Patrick:

Cause of Death: Strokes

Notes for Mary Tanney:

The spelling of Mary's last name varies somewhat, it was shown as Kenny, Taney and Tanney.