Griffith was born in 1875 into a poor Kentucky family. His father had served as a confederate officer in the civil war, following reconstruction the family had lost almost everything. Griffith's parents were illiterate, but he and his sister were able to learn at sunday schools. He was able to gain a scholarship to Montgomery university in 1896, and further studied plays and music. But Griffith was unable to make good his skills, and in 1898 his money ran out, and he returned to Kentucky. He got a job as a storekeeper in his home town.