James Griffith

[Welland Tribune , 1909]

Welland over Fifty years ago

Although we have already published a reference to the late James Griffith, we are pleased to print the following, both on account of being fuller and for the historical reminiscences contained:

James Griffith, son of Thomas Griffith and Isabella Church, was born in Port Robinson on Dec 4th, 1828. He was the last of five brothers, excepting a step-brother, Charles Curry of Dunnville. His boyhood days were spent on a farm, and in early life he took a place as clerk in a store. While clerking for the late D. Kinsman of Fonthill, he became acquainted with Ellen Randall, a native of Brookfield, Nova Scotia, whom he married on Sept. 3rd, 1854. They started on the journey of life in the village of Merritville, now the town of Welland, and on the corner of West Main and North Main streets stood a long Gothic frame building, the property of Seely & Betts. The front of the building contained a store where the deceased carried on business, while in the rear were apartments for dwellings. On the opposite corner the late Elias Hoover kept the Welland House–still the Welland House but greatly enlarged and improved.

Across from the Gothic store A. Bald had a dry goods store, and west of that stood his residence. There were no railroads, and the canal, which was west of the present one was content to have its boats hauled through by horse power and tow ropes. Steam boats were few and far between those days, and the bridge over the river was an old wooden structure without a railing.

Among the business firms were Daniel McCaw, who did shoe making; Mr Shrigley sold drugs; Wellington Hellems kept a furniture store; Betts & Seely had a saw mill.

There was no jail; no church–an old log school house, where the model school building (now the Y.M.C.A.) stands, served both as church and school, and was lighted by tallon candles, oftimes the members of the congregation bringing their own candles with them. The sidewalks were either mother earth, or two planks with space between them.

Mr Griffith took an active part building up the town, was enthusiastic in church work and in municipal affairs. He fought for a free school system, and, although opposed by some of his most intimate friends won the day after many strivings, he believed in education for all classes. If I remember correctly he was the first superintendent for the first Sabbath school in Welland, He was very hospitable and generous to the last degree. He was the father of six sons and six daughters–three sons and two daughters dying in infancy.

The next break in the family came in the death of their daughter Mrs M. Webster, about 10 years ago, Grand Forks, N.D., where the Griffith family had gone to live in 188-, 1884. In 1889 and during following winters Mr and Mrs Griffith had gone to California to escape the severe cold of the north. In 1906 owing to ill-health of Mrs G. they remained in Pasadena for the summer and on the last day of August same year, the life partner of the deceased passed away and was laid to rest in Mountain View cemetery. Mr Griffith returned to Grand Forks, to be with his sons there, and, owing to the severity of the cold northern winters and his advanced, he came to Pasadena, California, last November, to live with his daughter Mrs R.W. Weeks, where he died on Jan 31st, from fatty degeneration of the heart, and was laid to rest beside his wife in the beautiful cemetery with a fine monument marking the last resting place of all that is mortal of the venerable old couple whose journey in life began on the other side of the continent, and also beside them rests a sister, Miss Catherine Randall, who as a teacher in Welland county, instilled in the minds of many a young girl and boy good principles that led them to become noble men and women

Although Mr Griffith had been complaining at times for about two weeks preceding his death, he was not considered in an immediately serious condition, and in fact the day before his death his condition was pronounced to be improved. On the day of his death, after supper, he laid down, as was his custom, to take a nap. He woke up and said to nurse and me, who were in the next room, “Why, girls, haven’t you gone to bed yet?” And nurse replied, “ It is only 6.30.” Whereupon he said, “Oh is that all; guess I’ll  go to sleep again.” and those were the last words he spoke. The nurse was in the room watching him constantly while he slept, fearing he might have a stroke of apoplexy; but his last long breath came at 8.45 p.m.;he looked as if he were sleeping so peaceful–his long life work was ended.

“Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord… That they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them.”

The surviving children of deceased are: R.B. Griffith T,C.Griffith, Mrs L.H. Carter, of Grand Forks, North Dakota; Mrs F.W. Cathro of Bottineau, No. Dak; Dr. A.R. Griffith of Montreal, Canada; Mrs R.W. Weeks of Pasadena, Calif.

There are twenty grandchildren.

Mr and Mrs Griffith celebrated their golden wedding anniversary on Sept 3, 1904, in Grand Forks, N.D.