Edwin Stephen Griffiths was born in Pengam, Bedwellty, Monmouth County, South Wales, August 26, 1869, the son of William and Rachel Davies Griffiths. After obtaining a common school education, he went to work in the coal mines until his eighteenth year. During these boyhood days, he gave himself devotedly to work in the Wales Baptist Church.
In the year 1886, because of ill health, he came to America, where he lived with an uncle in Scranton, Pennsylvania. The next few years were spent in completing his education.
In 1892 he went to Cleveland and found a congenial environment among the Welsh people in Newburg. Possessed of a magnetic and dynamic personality, and an indomitable determination, he soon conquered ill health, became pre-eminent in his many business ventures and established a friendship that proved a mutual blessing to all within its circle.
First, he became secretary of the Cleveland Adamant Company. Then, with others, he incorporated The Cleveland Machine and Manufacturing Company, of which he became manager. He did not seem to reach his capacity, judging from the multiplicity of his ventures, the ease with which he performed his tasks, and the successes, which crowned his every effort. The World War found him at the head of a number of machine and manufacturing concerns so completely equipped and efficiently managed, they were at once requisitioned by the Federal Government for its purposes.
The Welsh’s love for music is inherent and was evident in him to a very marked degree. Gifted with a rich tenor voice, singing with his Welsh brethren brought him a peculiar joy. While, in later years, he sang no more, he was solicitous that the traditional singing of the Welsh might find a full and complete expression in his generation so that he encouraged and assisted many to persevere in achieving in that art.
His was a whole-hearted service. Whether as friend or patriot, counselor, businessman, or Mason, his spirit was like “the oil that ran down upon the beard,” it made for peace and unity.
On New Year’s eve in 1902, he was wedded to Miss Margaret Rusk, who shared his burdens in the many problems that confronted him and was a true and loved companion. His friendly and genial disposition, his cordial friendship, and his interest in and thoughtfulness for others, reflected his real character which is disclosed in this final sentence of his Address when he was Grand Master, “It is grand to be Grand Master, but with all the distinction and honor that goes with this title, I am proud of the fact that the God that is within me is the same God that is within you, and that I am your Brother.”
Brother Griffiths was initiated an Entered Apprentice in Cleveland City Lodge, No. 15, October 17, 1899, passed to the degree of Fellow Craft November 14, 1899, and raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason November 28, 1899.
He served his Lodge as Senior Steward during 1900 and 1901, Senior Deacon in 1902 and 1903, Senior Warden in 1904, and Worshipful Master during 1905 and 1906. He served the Grand Lodge as District Lecturer of the Twenty-second Ohio Masonic District from 1904 to 1907; was appointed Junior Grand Deacon in 1907; appointed Grand Orator in 1908; elected Junior Grand Warden in 1909; Senior Grand Warden in 1910; Deputy Grand Master in 1911; and Grand Master in 1912. At the time of his death he was the Representative of the Grand Lodge of Nevada near the Grand Lodge of Ohio.
He was advanced to the Honorary Degree of Mark Master, February 23, 1900; elected and presided in the chair and received and acknowledged as Most Excellent Master, March 9,’ 1900, and exalted to the Most Sublime Degree of Royal Arch Mason, March 23, 1900, in Cleveland Chapter, No. 148, R. A. M. He was elected Principal Sojourner for 1902, and Excellent Scribe for 1903 and 1904, declining the latter election owing to pressing business affairs. Companion Griffiths assisted in the formation of Mt. Olive Chapter, No. 189, R. A. M., of which he was the Most Excellent High Priest under Dispensation and was elected first Most Excellent High Priest under Charter October 5, 1911.
Received the Royal and Select Master’s Degree February 13, 1906, and the Super Excellent Master Degree November 27,1906, in Cleveland Council, No. 36, R. & S. M.
He was knighted in Holyrood Commandery, No. 32, K. T., receiving the Order of the Red Cross, August 22, 1900; Order of Knights Templar, September 5, 1900, and Order of Knight of Malta, November 21, 1900. He served as Warder in 1907-08 and as Prelate in 1908-1909. He dimitted to Allenby Commandery, No. 73, K. T., and served as its Commander in 1921- 1922.
He was initiated in Al Koran Temple, N. M. S., October 11, 1900.
In Lake Erie Consistory, Valley of Cleveland, his progress and service are as follows: Eliadah Lodge of Perfection 14°, February 12, 1901. Bahurim Council 16°, February 13, 1901, Ariel Chapter Rose Croix 18°, February 13, 1901, Lake Erie Consistory 32°, February 15, 1901.
He held the office of Master of Ceremonies in 1908 and 1909; Junior Warden in 1910-1911; Senior Warden pro tern part of 1911; and Most Wise Master of Ariel Chapter in 1912.
He was crowned Inspector General, 33°, Supreme Council Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, at Detroit, Michigan, in 1910.
The door to the unknown closed behind him on January 25, 1930 and he was laid to rest at Lake View Cemetery, Section 30, Lot 61, Cleveland, Ohio.