Résumé

Principal, Thomas R. Griffith, Architect, San Bernardino, CA, 1892. At this time, his office was located on E Street between 4th and 5th Streets. (See San Bernardino, California, City Directory, 1891, p. 139.)

Partner, Jefferson and Griffith, Architects, Bakersfield, CA, c. 1910. Griffith was listed as a Registered Architect in California's Southern District in 1909. (See Ancestry.com, Source Information Graden, Debra, comp.. California State Roster, 1909 Government and Military records [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2002, accessed 02/01/2019.)

Estimator, Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway, Los Angeles, CA, 1921. (See Los Angeles, California, City Directory, 1921, p. 1196.)

Relocation

Thomas Richard Griffith was born either in Halifax, Nova Scotia, or in Masschusetts in 1859.

The 1881 Wales Census indicated that Thomas Griffiths lived with his parents in Chirk, Denbighshire, Wales, at 47 Chirk Green Cottages, where he worked as an architect's and surveyor's assistant. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Class: RG11; Piece: 2661; Folio: 86; Page: 20; GSU roll: 1341639, accessed 02/01/2019.)

Griffith and his family dwelled at 1828 Arapahoe Street in Los Angeles, CA, as per the 1900 US Census. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Year: 1900; Census Place: Los Angeles Ward 4, Los Angeles, California; Page: 13; Enumeration District: 0043; FHL microfilm: 1240089, accessed 02/01/2019.)The architect lived at 2131 Chester Avenue, Bakersfield, CA. (See Bakersfield, California, City Directory, 1910, p. 53.)

Between 1910 and 1940, at least, Thomas and Henrietta Griffith made their home at 3957 Halldale Avenue in Los Angeles, CA.(See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Year: 1910; Census Place: Los Angeles Assembly District 70, Los Angeles, California; Roll: T624_80; Page: 3B; Enumeration District: 0227; FHL microfilm: 1374093, accessed 02/01/2019 and Ancestry.com, Source Citation Year: 1940; Census Place: Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; Roll: m-t0627-00418; Page: 7A; Enumeration District: 60-512, accessed 02/01/2019.) In 1910, the Griffiths had a husband and wife who boarded with them, James Bohanon (born c. 1873 in MD) and Mary Bohanon (born c. 1885 in MD). Between 1935 and 1940, another boarder, Elizabeth Fairfield (born c. 1870 in NY) lived with the Griffiths.

He and his wife were interred at the Inglewood Park Cemetery, Grace Chapel Columbarium, Inglewood, CA.

Parents

According to the 1900 US Census, both of Thomas Griffith's parents were of Welsh descent. His father was Griffith Griffiths (born c. 1836 in Bangor, Wales) and his mother, Mary Griffiths (born c. 1835 in Denbigh, Wales). His siblings included John Griffiths (born c. 1861 in Halifax, Nova Scotia), Charlotte Griffiths (born c. 1866 in Bangor, Wales), and Albert Griffiths (born c. 1868 in Bangor, Wales). (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Class: RG11; Piece: 2661; Folio: 86; Page: 20; GSU roll: 1341639, accessed 02/01/2019.)

Spouse

He married his wife, Henrietta Beatrice Price Griffith (born 1865 in England-d. 1948 in Los Angeles, CA) in about 1890. The US Census of 1900 noted that she immigrated to the US in 1888.

Children

In 1900, he and Henrietta had two children, Albert L. Griffith (born c. 08/1889 in CA) and Claudia Griffith (born 04/1894 in CA). After the 1900 US Census was taken, they had another son, Kenneth R. Griffith, (born c. 1906 in CA).

Claudia continued to live at home with her parents in 1940.

Biographical Notes

In the 1881 Wales Census, his family's surname was spelled "Griffiths." In the US, he shortened it to "Griffith."

Documents regarding Thomas R. Griffith's birthplace differ. The aforementioned 1881 Welsh Census listed his birthplace as "Halifax, Nova Scotia," while the US Censuses of 1910-1940 stated it to have been in Massachusetts.

Voting records indicated that the architect and his wife were registered Republicans in 1920.