Gazlay Family History
 

Family HistoryFamily History - Henry M. Griffen


Key:1.“+” before a child’s name indicates the child has their own entry in the next generation.
 2.“born xxxx” indicates the child is under 18 years of age so the birth date is not shown.
This family history features Henry M. Griffen and seven of his descendants down to the fifth generation.


First Generation
1. Henry M. Griffen,1 born February 1818 in New York (parents not determined);1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 died 3 September 1901.1, 8 Henry married, 21 November 1842, Mary Gazlay12 (born 1814 in Salt Point, Dutchess County, New York, the daughter of Joseph Gazlay and Annie Marshall;2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 12 Mary died 16 November 1895 in Douglass, Butler County, Kansas10, 12). Henry and Mary are buried in Douglass Cemetery, Douglass, Butler County, Kansas.10, 1

Identification of Mary as a daughter of Joseph and Ann Gazlay is tentative, based on the listing of “Mary Griffen” as an executor of Ann Gazlay’s estate; and listing of Emma Griffin, “Dau. of Alonzo D., & Mary” buried in the same cemetery as Joseph and Ann Gazlay. Alonzo is also buried there, but Mary is buried with her second husband in Kansas.9

Mary’s obituary provides a summary of her life and character:

Obituary of Mrs. H. M. Griffin.

Mary Gazlay was born at Salt Point, Dutchess County, New York. Was married in 1831 to Alonzo D. Griffin, who passed away in 1841. There were two children by this marriage. Ruth Emma and Catherine. Ruth passed away at the age of 9, Catherine at the age of 35.

In 1942 [sic, 1842] she married Henry M. Griffin, and had she lived until Nov. 21st, they would have been married 53 years.

About five years after her second marriage she moved to Puetneyville [sic, Pultneyville], Wayne County, N. Y., where she resided until she came to Kansas in 1883, with her daughter, Mrs. E. B. Snell.

She had been in feeble health for the last five years, but her last illness was short being of only a week in duration. She was born into the spirit world at 8:40 a.m., Saturday morning, November 16, 1895, at the age of 82 years.

She was a spiritualist in belief, and passed away as she lived, rejoicing and happy in her faith, and in the thought that she was so soon to be with her loved ones who had passed to the other side. She was conscious to the last, and knew and talked to her children, almost to the moment of her translation.

She leaves a husband, daughter and two grand children, here, and two east, to keep her memory, “Not as dead, but as at rest.” To those who knew her, no words can add to, nor detract from the beauty of a life of 82 years of loving service, devotion, and self sacrifice to husband and children, and charity to those in whom she came in contact.

The book is closed, her life work is finished, but the influence of her life remains with us, written in characters that will never grow dim with age; written in kindly deeds and kindly words, that more than carried out the devine [sic] command.

“Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.”

She was laid to rest Sunday afternoon. A large number of friends paid their last tribute of respect, as all that was mortal was returned from whence it came, “when the mists of time have rolled away,” may we all be united in the higher and better life upon which she has just entered.

[The obituary concludes with the lengthy poem, “I Still Live,” by Lizzie Doten.]


+2i. Henrietta B. ‘Etta’ Griffen, born 21 July 1844 in New York; died 4 November 1918 in Los Angeles County, California. Married (1) William Craggs Munroe Dr. Married (2) Robert Henry Snell.

  1. Find a Grave (website). Douglass Cemetery, Douglass, Butler County, Kansas, Henry M. Griffen, born: 1818; died: 1901 (from record, which provides the name and link for his wife). Henry shares his gravestone with his wife and son-in-law (husband of his daughter Henrietta).
  2. U.S. Federal Census, 1850, New York, Wayne County, Williamson, Pages 303-304, family of Henry M. Griffin (32, NY, farmer); Mary Griffin (36, NY); Catharine M. Griffin (18, NY); Henrietta Griffin (6, NY); Wm. Gazelly (29, NY, farmer).
  3. U.S. Federal Census, 1860, New York, Wayne County, Town of Williamson, Page No. 31, Henry M. Griffin, 42, N.Y., tin smith; Mary Griffin, 46, N.Y.; Henrietta Griffin, 16, N.Y. Living next door is Henry and Mary’s daughter Catharine, her husband and child, living with their in-laws: John Reynolds, 56, N.Y., merchant; Mary P. Reynolds, 54, Conn.; John N. Reynolds, 31, N.Y., merchant; Catharine M. Reynolds, 27, N.Y.; Chas. H. Reynolds, 2, N.Y.
  4. U.S. Federal Census, 1870, New York, Wayne County, Williamson, Page No. 25, Henry Griffin, 52, New York, hardware merchant; Mary Griffin, 56, New York; Henrietta Griffin, 25, New York; William Munrow, 29, England, physician; Maggie Salter, 20, Holland, domestic servant. Living next door is Mary’s (deceased) daughter Catharine’s in-laws and her son Charles: John Reynolds, 66, New York, drygoods mcht; Mary Reynolds, 63, Connecticut; Maria Dunning, 17, New York, domestic servant; Mary Farwell, 50, New York, retired; Charles H. Reynolds, 12, New York.
  5. U.S. Federal Census, 1880, New York, Wayne County, Pultneyville, E.D. 193, Page No. 3C, Henry M. Griffin, 62, New York, hardware merchant; wife Mary Griffin, 66, New York; border David Lacy, 57, New York, tinsmith; servant Maggie Salter, 28, Holland, domestic servant; grand-son Franke Reynolds, 13, New York.
  6. Kansas State Census, 1895, Butler County, Douglass Township, Page No. 11, H. M. Griffin, 77, New York, farmer; wife Mary Griffin, 81, New York; Monroe Glenn [sic, Glenn Monroe], 18, New York.
  7. U.S. Federal Census, 1900, Kansas, Butler County, Douglass, E.D. 8, Sheet No. 9A, Henry M. Griffin, 82, New York, Feb. 1818, widow, farmer; daughter Henrietta B. Snell, 55, New York, July 1844, 2 children, 2 living, Divorced, music teacher; step son [sic] Glen C. Monroe, 23, New York, May 1877, farm laborer; d-in-law and wife of 2 years Frances R. Monroe, 20, Kansas, June 1879, no children.
  8. genealogytrails.com, Kansas Trails, Butler County, Wills, 1869-1901, for Surnames Starting with “G”, Griffen, Harold M., died: 3 September 1901; will dated: 13 February 1890; wife: Mary Griffen; daughter: Henrietta B. Snell; others: William H. Munroe, G. C. Munroe, and Glen Harold Munroe.
  9. Notice of Probate, Albany, NY, Evening Journal, available at fultonhistory.com; c. April 1842, Ann Gazlay, deceased. The notice, first and foremost, is directed “especially to John Gazlay, of Pennsylvania, heir &c to Ann Gazlay, deceased...late of the town of Pleasant Valley, in the county of Dutchess.” Executors named are Ellathan [sic, Elnathan] Gazlay and Mary Griffen.
  10. Find a Grave (website). Douglass Cemetery, Douglass, Butler County, Kansas, Mary Griffen, born: 1814; died: 1895 (from record, which provides the name and link for her [second] husband). She shares her gravestone with her husband Henry M. Griffen, and her son-in-law, Dr. William Craggs Munroe (husband of Mary’s daughter Henrietta B. Griffen).
  11. U.S. Federal Census, 1880, New York, Monroe County, City of Rochester, E.D. 10, Page No. 17A, Wm. C. Munroe, 39, England, physician, surgeon; wife Henrietta B. Munroe, 35, N.Y.; son W H C G Munroe, 8, N.Y.; son Glen H. Munroe, 3, N.Y.; mother-in-law Mary Griffin, 66, N.Y.; plus 3 borders.
  12. Obituary, Douglass Tribune, Douglass, Kansas (available at: kansashistoricalopencontent.newspapers.com), 22 November 1895, Mrs. H. M. Griffin (Mary Gazlay), died: 16 November 1895. The article provides vital and biographical details, including the names of her two husbands and three daughters.
Second Generation
2. Henrietta B. ‘Etta’ Griffen2 (Henry1), born 21 July 1844 in New York;1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 died 4 November 1918 in Los Angeles County, California.1, 2 Etta married, first, William Craggs Munroe Dr. (born 1841 in England, parents not determined;5, 6, 7, 10 William died 188610). Etta married, second, 22 December 1888 in Jackson County, Missouri, Robert Henry Snell11, 13 (born 1843, parents not determined;11, 12 Robert died 192512). Etta is buried in Mountain View Cemetery and Mauseleum, Altadena, Los Angeles County, California.1 William is buried in Douglass Cemetery, Douglass, Butler County, Kansas.10 Robert is buried in Douglass Cemetery, Douglass, Butler County, Kansas.12

+3i. William Henry ‘Bill’ Munroe, Sr., born 15 September 1871 in Rochester Junction, Monroe County, New York; died 25 July 1934 in Kansas City, Wyandotte County, Kansas. Married Cora Terressa Robinson.
+4ii. Glen Harold Munroe, born 14 May 1877 in New York; died 22 May 1932 in Pasadena, Los Angeles County, California. Married (1) Rebecca Frances Smith Married (2) Nellie Jane Schneider (née Means) .

  1. Find a Grave (website). Mountain View Cemetery and Mausoleum, Altadena, Los Angeles County, California, Henrietta B. “Etta” Snell, born: July 1844; died: 4 November 1918 in Los Angeles County, California (from record, which provides the name and link for one son).
  2. California, County Birth and Death Records, 1800-1994, Los Angeles County, Standard Certificate of Death, Etta B. Snell, died: 4 November 1918; born: 21 July 1844 in NY; widow; father: William C. Monroe, born in England [sic, he was her first husband, not her father]; mother: Mary Gazley, born in NY.
  3. U.S. Federal Census, 1850, New York, Wayne County, Williamson, Pages 303-304, family of Henry M. Griffin (32, NY, farmer); Mary Griffin (36, NY); Catharine M. Griffin (18, NY); Henrietta Griffin (6, NY); Wm. Gazelly (29, NY, farmer).
  4. U.S. Federal Census, 1860, New York, Wayne County, Town of Williamson, Page No. 31, Henry M. Griffin, 42, N.Y., tin smith; Mary Griffin, 46, N.Y.; Henrietta Griffin, 16, N.Y. Living next door is Henry and Mary’s daughter Catharine, her husband and child, living with their in-laws: John Reynolds, 56, N.Y., merchant; Mary P. Reynolds, 54, Conn.; John N. Reynolds, 31, N.Y., merchant; Catharine M. Reynolds, 27, N.Y.; Chas. H. Reynolds, 2, N.Y.
  5. U.S. Federal Census, 1870, New York, Wayne County, Williamson, Page No. 25, Henry Griffin, 52, New York, hardware merchant; Mary Griffin, 56, New York; Henrietta Griffin, 25, New York; William Munrow, 29, England, physician; Maggie Salter, 20, Holland, domestic servant. Living next door is Mary’s (deceased) daughter Catharine’s in-laws and her son Charles: John Reynolds, 66, New York, drygoods mcht; Mary Reynolds, 63, Connecticut; Maria Dunning, 17, New York, domestic servant; Mary Farwell, 50, New York, retired; Charles H. Reynolds, 12, New York.
  6. New York State Census, 1875, Yates County, Milo, Page 33, William C. Munroe, 36, England, alopath phys.; wife Henrietta B. Munroe, 30, Dutchess Co.; son William H G C Munroe, 4, Wayne Co.; servant Frank Reynolds, 7, Wayne Co.
  7. U.S. Federal Census, 1880, New York, Monroe County, City of Rochester, E.D. 10, Page No. 17A, Wm. C. Munroe, 39, England, physician, surgeon; wife Henrietta B. Munroe, 35, N.Y.; son W H C G Munroe, 8, N.Y.; son Glen H. Munroe, 3, N.Y.; mother-in-law Mary Griffin, 66, N.Y.; plus 3 borders.
  8. U.S. Federal Census, 1900, Kansas, Butler County, Douglass, E.D. 8, Sheet No. 9A, Henry M. Griffin, 82, New York, Feb. 1818, widow, farmer; daughter Henrietta B. Snell, 55, New York, July 1844, 2 children, 2 living, Divorced, music teacher; step son [sic] Glen C. Monroe, 23, New York, May 1877, farm laborer; d-in-law and wife of 2 years Frances R. Monroe, 20, Kansas, June 1879, no children.
  9. U.S. Federal Census, 1910, California, Los Angeles County, Pasadena, E.D. 311, Sheet No. 2B, Henrietta B. Snell, 65, New York, widow, 2 children, 2 living; grandson Kenneth H. Munrow, 7, Kansas.
  10. Find a Grave (website). Douglass Cemetery, Douglass, Butler County, Kansas, Dr. William Craggs Munroe, born: 1841; died: 1886 (from record, which provides the names and links for one son). Dr. Munroe shares his gravestone with his parents-in-law, Henry M. and Mary Griffen.
  11. Marriage License, Jackson County, Missouri, Recorder of Deeds, Online Public Records Portal (website: https://aumentumweb.jacksongov.org/Marriage/SearchResults.aspx), Robert H. Snell, age 45; Etta B. Munroe, age 44; married on 22 December 1888.
  12. Find a Grave (website). Douglass Cemetery, Douglass, Butler County, Kansas, Robert Henry Snell, born: 1843; died: 1925 (from record, which provides the names and links for one wife and one child).
  13. Missouri, County Marriage, Naturalization, and Court Records, 1800-1991, Marriage License and Certification, Robert H. Snell, of the County of Butler and State of Kansas, and Etta B. Munrow, of the County of Butler and State of Kansas; married on 22 December 1888 in the County of Jackson, State of Missouri.
Third Generation
3. William Henry ‘Bill’ Munroe, Sr.3 (Henrietta ‘Etta’,2 Henry1), born 15 September 1871 in Rochester Junction, Monroe County, New York;1, 2, 3 died 25 July 1934 in Kansas City, Wyandotte County, Kansas.1 Bill married, 1896, Cora Terressa Robinson4 (born 27 May 1877 in Lathrop, Clinton County, Missouri, the daughter of John William Robinson and Margrett Elizabeth Booth;4 Cora died 26 February 1948 in Santa Ana, Orange County, California4). Bill is buried in Memorial Park Cemetery, Kansas City, Jackson County, Missouri.1 Cora is buried in Fairhaven Memorial Park, Santa Ana, Orange County, California.4

+5i. Glen William ‘Bill’ Munroe, born 8 April 1897 in Kansas City, Jackson County, Missouri; died 22 September 1929 in Kansas City, Jackson County, Missouri. Married Marie Ilene Colvin.
+6ii. Frances Eloise Munroe, born 15 May 1906 in Kansas City, Jackson County, Missouri; died 18 June 1953 in San Diego, San Diego County, California. Married Joseph Marion Woten.

4. Glen Harold Munroe3 (Henrietta ‘Etta’,2 Henry1), born 14 May 1877 in New York;3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 died 22 May 1932 in Pasadena, Los Angeles County, California.6 Glen married, first, ca. 1898, Rebecca Frances Smith8 (born 17 June 1879 in Kansas, the daughter of Michael Swing Smith and Nancy Bateman;8, 10 Rebecca died 10 May 190510). Glen married, second, 9 August 1906 in Los Angeles, California, Nellie Jane Schneider (née Means) 12 (born 1 April 1876 in California, parents not determined;9, 11, 12 Nellie died 31 December 193911). Glen is buried in Savannah Memorial Park Cemetery, Rosemead, Los Angeles County, California.6 Rebecca is buried in Douglass Cemetery, Douglass, Butler County, Kansas.10 Nellie is buried in Savannah Memorial Park Cemetery, Rosemead, Los Angeles County, California.11

+7i. Kenneth Harold Munroe, born 26 October 1902 in Douglass, Butler County, Kansas; died 24 November 1975 in Los Angeles County, California. Married Naomi Pearl Nelson.

  1. Find a Grave (website). Memorial Park Cemetery, Kansas City, Jackson County, Missouri, William Henry “Bill” Munroe, born: 15 September 1871 in Rochester Junction, Monroe County, New York; died: 25 July 1934 in Kansas City, Wyandotte County, Kansas (from record, which indicates his parents were Dr. William C. Munroe and Henrietta Griffin, and provides the names and links for his parents, wife, and three children).
  2. New York State Census, 1875, Yates County, Milo, Page 33, William C. Munroe, 36, England, alopath phys.; wife Henrietta B. Munroe, 30, Dutchess Co.; son William H G C Munroe, 4, Wayne Co.; servant Frank Reynolds, 7, Wayne Co.
  3. U.S. Federal Census, 1880, New York, Monroe County, City of Rochester, E.D. 10, Page No. 17A, Wm. C. Munroe, 39, England, physician, surgeon; wife Henrietta B. Munroe, 35, N.Y.; son W H C G Munroe, 8, N.Y.; son Glen H. Munroe, 3, N.Y.; mother-in-law Mary Griffin, 66, N.Y.; plus 3 borders.
  4. Find a Grave (website). Fairhaven Memorial Park, Santa Ana, Orange County, California, Cora Terressa Robinson Munroe, born: 27 May 1877 in Lathrop, Clinton County, Missouri; died: 26 February 1948 in Santa Ana, Orange County, California (from record, which provides the names and links for her parents, siblings, husband, and two children).
  5. Draft Registration Card, World War I, Glen Harold Munroe, born: 14 May 1877; occupation: livery clerk; nearest relative: Nellie Munroe, wife.
  6. Find a Grave (website). Savannah Memorial Park Cemetery, Rosemead, Los Angeles County, California, Glen H. Munroe, born: 14 May 1877; died: 22 March 1932 in Pasadena, Los Angeles County, California (from record, which includes the text from his obituary; and provides the names and links for his two wives and one child).
  7. Kansas State Census, 1895, Butler County, Douglass Township, Page No. 11, H. M. Griffin, 77, New York, farmer; wife Mary Griffin, 81, New York; Monroe Glenn [sic, Glenn Monroe], 18, New York.
  8. U.S. Federal Census, 1900, Kansas, Butler County, Douglass, E.D. 8, Sheet No. 9A, Henry M. Griffin, 82, New York, Feb. 1818, widow, farmer; daughter Henrietta B. Snell, 55, New York, July 1844, 2 children, 2 living, Divorced, music teacher; step son [sic] Glen C. Monroe, 23, New York, May 1877, farm laborer; d-in-law and wife of 2 years Frances R. Monroe, 20, Kansas, June 1879, no children.
  9. U.S. Federal Census, 1910, California, Los Angeles County, Pasadena, E.D. 305, Sheet No. 12A, E.D. 305, Sheet No. 12A, Glen H. Munroe, 32, New York, salesman, retail liquor; wife of 3 years Nellie Munroe, 34, California, bookkeeper, blacksmith shop.
  10. Find a Grave (website). Douglass Cemetery, Douglass, Butler County, Kansas, Rebecca Frances Smith Munroe, born: 17 June 1879 in Kansas; died: 10 May 1905 (from record, which provides the names and links for her parents, siblings, husband, and child).
  11. Find a Grave (website). Savannah Memorial Park Cemetery, Rosemead, Los Angeles County, California, Nellie Means Monroe, born: 1 April 1876; died: 31 December 1939 (from record, which provides the name and link for her husband).
  12. California Marriages 1850-1945, available at familysearch.org, Glen H. Munroe, age 29, native of New York; and Nellie Schneider, age 30; native of California; married on 9 August 1906 in Los Angeles, California.
Fourth and Fifth Generations
5. Glen William ‘Bill’ Munroe4 (William ‘Bill’,3 Henrietta ‘Etta’,2 Henry1), born 8 April 1897 in Kansas City, Jackson County, Missouri;1 died 22 September 1929 in Kansas City, Jackson County, Missouri.1 Bill married, 1916, Marie Ilene Colvin1 (born 9 July 1900, parents not determined;2 Marie died 25 April 1998 in Santa Ana, Orange County, California2). Bill is buried in Memorial Park Cemetery, Kansas City, Jackson County, Missouri.1 Marie is buried in Melrose Abbey Memorial Park, Anaheim, Orange County, California.2

 8i. Virginia Munroe, born 1918.

6. Frances Eloise Munroe4 (William ‘Bill’,3 Henrietta ‘Etta’,2 Henry1), born 15 May 1906 in Kansas City, Jackson County, Missouri;3, 4 died 18 June 1953 in San Diego, San Diego County, California.3 Frances married, 15 September 1946 in Clark County, Nevada, Joseph Marion Woten5 (born ca. 1893 in Ohio, parents not determined4). Frances is buried in Fairhaven Memorial Park, Santa Ana, Orange County, California.3

7. Kenneth Harold Munroe4 (Glen,3 Henrietta ‘Etta’,2 Henry1), born 26 October 1902 in Douglass, Butler County, Kansas;6, 7, 8 died 24 November 1975 in Los Angeles County, California.7 Kenneth married, 22 June 1929 in Pasadena, Los Angeles County, California, Naomi Pearl Nelson9, 10 (born 7 January 1909 in Grand Rapids, Kent County, Michigan, the daughter of John Earl Nelson and Marie Magdeline De Winter;9 Naomi died 11 March 2005 in Sierra Vista, Cochise County, Arizona9). Kenneth is buried in Mountain View Cemetery and Mauseleum, Altadena, Los Angeles County, California.7 Naomi is buried in Cochise Memory Gardens, Sierra Vista, Cochise County, Arizona.9

  1. Find a Grave (website). Memorial Park Cemetery, Kansas City, Jackson County, Missouri, Glen William “Bill” Munroe, born: 8 April 1897 in Kansas City, Jackson County, Missouri; died: 22 September 1929 in Kansas City, Jackson County, Missouri (from two nearly duplicate records, which indicates he died by an accidental gun shot, the death certificate stating cause of death as homicide; and provides the names and links for his parents, sibling, and wife, whom he later divorced).
  2. Find a Grave (website). Melrose Abbey Memorial Park, Anaheim, Orange County, California, Marie Ilene Colvin Evenson, born: 9 July 1900; died: 25 April 1998 in Santa Ana, Orange County, California (from record, which includes a note detailing her two marriages, being divorced from her first husband and having a daughter with her; and provides the names and links for her two husbands).
  3. Find a Grave (website). Fairhaven Memorial Park, Santa Ana, Orange County, California, Frances Eloise Munroe Woten, born: 15 May 1906 in Kansas City, Jackson County, Missouri; died: 18 June 1953 in San Diego, San Diego County, California (from record, which provides the names and links for her parents and brother).
  4. U.S. Federal Census, 1950, California, Orange County, Santa Ana, E.D. 30-207, Sheet No. 72, Joseph M. Woten, 57, Ohio, meat cutter, butcher shop; wife Francis E. Woten, 43, Missouri.
  5. Nevada County Marriages, 1862-1993, Marriage Certificates, Clark County, Joseph Marion Woten and Francis E. Munroe, both of Santa Ana, married on 15 September 1946.
  6. Kansas County Birth Records, 1885-1911, Munroe [no first name listed], born: 26 October 1902 in Douglas, Butler County, Kansas; father: Glen Munroe, age 25, born in Kansas [sic]; mother: Frances Smith, age 22, born in Kansas.
  7. Find a Grave (website). Mountain View Cemetery and Mausoleum, Altadena, Los Angeles County, California, Kenneth Harold Munroe, born: 26 October 1902 in Douglas County, Kansas [sic, his birth record shows he was born in Douglass, Butler County, Kansas]; died: 24 November 1975 in Los Angeles County, California (from record, which provides the names and links for his parents and wife).
  8. U.S. Federal Census, 1910, California, Los Angeles County, Pasadena, E.D. 311, Sheet No. 2B, Henrietta B. Snell, 65, New York, widow, 2 children, 2 living; grandson Kenneth H. Munrow, 7, Kansas.
  9. Find a Grave (website). Cochise Memory Gardens, Sierra Vista, Cochise County, Arizona, Naomi Pearl Nelson Munroe, born: 7 January 1909 in Grand Rapids, Kent County, Michigan; died: 11 March 2005 in Sierra Vista, Cochise County, Arizona (from record, which provides the names and links for her parents and husband).
  10. California, County Marriages, 1850-1952; County of Los Angeles, Marriage License and Certificate, No. 6017, Kenneth Harold Munroe, age 26, native of Kansas; Naomi Pearl Nelson, age 20, native of Michigan; married on 22 June 1929 in Pasadena, County of Los Angeles, State of California.