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DAVID W. GRIFFIN, M.D., F.A.A.M.
Vol. 3, p. 1070

A man of eminent abilities, both in the line of his profession and
as a public executive, Dr. David W. Griffin, superintendent of the
Oklahoma State Hospital, at Norman, has become widely and favorably
known among the people of his adopted state, to which he came October
8, 1899. He is a native of Caldwell County, North Carolina, and was
born October 28, 1873, a son of David A. and Louise (BUSH) Griffin,
both of whom are still residents of the Tar Heel State, where they
have passed their entire lives. David A Griffin, who has always been
engaged in agricultural pursuits, served for four years in the
Confederate army during the Civil war.

The Griffin family originated in Ireland, from whence the progenitor
of the family in America came in Colonial times and settled in
Virginia. The Bush family's history in the United States dates back
to the year 1808, when the great-grandfather of Mrs. Griffin
emigrated to this country from Germany, locating at Charleston, South
Carolina, where for a time he followed the trade of shipbuilder.
Subsequently moving to Caldwell County North Carolina, he was married
and reared a family. Of this ancestor an incident is chronicled which
will prove of interest as a now almost forgotten custom of the early
days. John Bush's intended wife's family were opposed to the
marriage, and it was decided to settle the matter in a manner which
now, to say the least seems queer. The agreement was that fisticuffs
should be restored to, and if John Bush was able to defeat his
sweetheart's brother in a test of physical endurance and prowess, he
should not only receive his bride, but a tract of land as well. He
was successful in the contest, winning his bride, and the land which
was given him is still in the family name.

David W. Griffin was brought up on the home place and reared amid
agricultural surroundings, but he had early determined upon a
professional career and s]pursued his studies with that end in view.
After attending the primary grades, he entered Barnes High School, at
Lenoir, North Carolina, therefrom became a student at Rutherford
College, in the same state. Subsequently Doctor Griffin took the
medical course at the University College of Medicine, Richmond,
Virginia, where he was graduated in May, 1899, with the degree of
Doctor of Medicine and at once began practice at Lenoir. He remained
there, however, for only a few months, and in the fall of 1900 come
to Norman, Oklahoma, as the resident physician of the Oklahoma
Sanitarium and Hospital for the Insane, of which he was made
superintendent in January, 1910, a position he has continued to fill
with marked ability to the present time. This was formerly a private
corporation, but July 1, 1915, came under the ownership, control and
supervision of the State of Oklahoma, taking the name of the Oklahoma
State Hospital. This institution now has over 1,000 patients who are
looked after by the superintendent and three assistant physicians,
together with a well-trained corps of nurses. In connection with the
large modern buildings is a large farm, including what id considered
to be the finest dairy in the state. Doctor Griffin has reached a
high place in his calling and in the esteem of his fellow-
practitioners throughout the state. In his official capacity he has
displayed the possession of abilities of the highest character, and
his devotion to the interests of his unfortunate charges is
proverbial. He is a member of the Cleveland County Medical Society,
the Oklahoma State Medical Society and the American Medical
Association, and a Fellow of the American Academy of Medicine.
Fraternally he belongs to the Lodge Chapter and Knights Templar of
the Masonic order, and has attained the York Rite degree. With his
family he is a member of the Presbyterian Church, in which he holds
official position.

On March 26, 1902, Doctor Griffin was married to Miss Flora May
PHELPS, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A Phelps, of Walnut Ridge, Arkansas.
To this union there have been born two daughters; Vera Louise and
Martha Lee.

Typed for OKGenWeb by Charmaine Keith, November 27, 1998.