Husband of Mindora Red Granttham.
DEATH NOTICES
Daily Press, Riverside, CA. 22 Mar 1954 Monday
GRANTTHAM-- In Elsinore, Calif., March 21, 1954, Jesse L. Granttham, aged 80 years. Husband of Mrs. Dora Granttham of 3759 Second St., Riverside. Father of Jesse L. Granttham and Lloyd Z. Granttham of Riverside; Otis J. Granttham, Los Angeles,
Calif.; Olen E. Granttham, New York, N. Y.; Mrs. Wilma T. Randleman, Riverside; Mrs. Dora E. Petterman and Mrs. Verdie Gillella of Los Angeles, Calif. Also survived by 13 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Funeral announcement later by Acheson & Graham Inc., directors in charge.
JL is my great grandfather.

HISTORY OF SAN BERNARDINO AND RIVERSIDE COUNTIES
1922 VOL. 111
by JOHN BROWN JR. AND JAMES BOYD
THE WESTERN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION

JESSE LEE GRANTTHAM. The life record of Jesse Lee Granttham in all its varied phases is on which reflect honor and dignity upon Riverside, where he is engaged in the active practice as an attorney, and upon his own capabilities, which are unrestricted. The history of no citizen of this region has been more fearless in conduct, more constant in service, and more stainless in reputation. He has a love for the city of his adoption which he manifests in many ways for the municipal development and welfare, and in return is accorded the respect and esteem of his fellow men.
The birth of Jesse Lee Granttham occurred in Jackson County, Florida, September 2, 1873. He is the son of Jesse Jackson and Sally (Lane) Granttham, the former, now deceased, being a native of Georgia. He was a minister of the Missionary Baptist Church, and came of an old American family, which was founded in the American Colonies by ancestors who came here from England and located in New Hampshire, where the town of Grantham was named in their honor. Representatives of the family fought in the American Revolution with distinction and courage, and others through the succeeding years have been equally steadfast as men of peace. The Grantham University of New Hampshire, named in honor of the family, proves that it was well represented by men of letters. Mrs. Granttham, also now deceased, belonged to the old Southern family of Lanes, of English descent, and she, too, was born in Georgia.
When Jesse Lee Granttham was still a small child the Grantthams settled in the country near where Arabia (Arabi), Georgia, is now located, and he was reared in an old fashion country home of cultured interests, where his ambition was stimulated and his intellect developed. He was sent to the grade and high schools of Arabia, and spent three years at the State Normal School and the years at the State University, both at Athens University, and then went to Mercer University at Macon, Georgia, from which he graduated in 1906, with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. In order to secure the money to prepare himself for the profession he decided to enter, it was necessary for him to take the course at the State Normal School at Athens, Georgia, where he graduated, and then taught school at intervals until he completed his training.
Following his admission to the bar, which followed the securing of his degree, he began the practice of law in Randolph County, Georgia, and remained in that neighborhood for four years. Deciding upon going to a newer territory, he went to Guthrie, Oklahoma, and practiced in some of the stirring events of the development of that city during one year. His attention was then turned to Riverside, California, and he came here, but his fame as an educator preceded him and he was induced to assume the duties as principal of the Riverside Business College, and he held that position for eight years. In 1919 he and C. W. Benshoff formed a partnership for the practice of law, and remained together until 1920, when their association was dissolved and Mr. Granttham has since remained alone.
An ardent democrat, he was very active in party matters while residing in Georgia, representing it in county and state conventions and as a member of the Democratic County Central Committee. He is a Chapter member of the Commandery Mason, and also belongs to the Woodmen of the World. The First Methodist Church of Riverside is his religious home, and he is now superintendent of the membership board of that institutio
In September, 1900, Mr. Granttham married at Hartsfield, Georgia, Dora Red, a native of Georgia and a daughter of J. H. Red, now deceased, who was a farmer of Georgia, and during the war between the states served in the Confederacy Army. Mr. and Mrs. Granttham have seven living children, namely Verdie, who is the wife of Harold J. May, of Riverside, a soldier in the United States Army; Otis J. and Olin Earl, both of whom are students in the Riverside High School; Jesse Lee, Lloyd Zinn and Dora Emma, all of whom are students of the graded schools; and Theora Wilma, who is the youngest. They lost a son, James Gordon Granttham.
In addition to his educational and professional labors Mr. Granttham has been useful in other directions. He has invested in several commercial enterprises at Riverside, and at one time was interested in agricultural matters, but has since disposed of his farm land. While his success in all these matters has entitled him to be regarded as a prosperous man, Mr. Granttham possesses, moreover, those traits of personal character which make him a popular man. Genial, courteous and kindly, no one confirmed while he was still in practice in Georgia, and his services are now in great demand by those who desire one who will give to his client's cause all the vigor and earnestness, diligence and devotion in his power.
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