DEATH OF A GOOD CITIZEN
----------------
CHIEF GRIFFITH GOES TO HIS REST
---------
A Sterling Citizen of Mecklenburg Passes Into the Beyond--Deputy Sheriff, Sheriff, Chief of Police Chief of Fire Department--A Mason of High Standing.
"Chief" Griffith is dead.
This was the noon tide news with which the city was shocked yesterday.
The first intimation that any one had that the "Chief" was sick was the announcement in the OBSERVER of Sunday a week ago that, the reason the firemen were somewhat at seat that morning at the time was because the chief of the department was sick in bed, he having taken with the grip the Thursday before.
Saturday night, officer Baker sat up with the deceased until 12 o'clock then going on duty. At 3 o'clock a change for the worse was alarmingly apparent, and Joseph Graham, his attendant physician, was sent for. He remained with the patient for some time, entering again at 7 in the morning. But he knew that human skill was powerless. The lungs were closing rapidly and the last gasp for breath was given at 12:30.
William Franklin Griffin was born March 3, 1825, in Providence township, and was therefore 68 years of age. His parents moved to Sharon where he was reared and lived until coming to Charlotte twenty years ago. The first official capacity in which he ever served was as deputy sheriff under Sheriff M. E. Alexander for ten or twelve years, continuing in the same position under Sheriff Potts until the latter's death, when he filled out his (Potts) unexpired term. In 1887 he was elected chief of police and continued to fill this responsible position acceptably until 1891. Mr. Griffith after serving as constable for a short time, was appointed by the board of aldermen as chief of the fire department of Charlotte, and filled this position also with entire satisfaction to the citizens and city fathers.
Chief Griffith had good old Revolutionary blood in his veins, his great-grandfather Downs being a signer of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence. The chief himself was a brave soldier in the Confederate service. He was twice married, his first wife being Miss Emily Matilda Reid. He married the second time Miletha Hollingsworth, of Atlanta, on July 2 1880 and by her had one child.
He was as brave as a lion and as true as steel. The Masons will meet this afternoon at 3:30 at the Masonic Temple to hold a lodge of sorrow. From the Temple they proceed to the residence on Mint street to conduct the funeral, which will be held at 4 o'clock. The pall beareers are Messrs. G. B. Hanna, R. J. Sifford, C. Scott, W. F. Buchanan, J. H. Weddington, W. W. Ward, J. W. Cobb, W. M. Vandiver, and these are urged to be promptly on hand.
The board of aldermen met yesterday afternoon and adopted resolutions of respect to the memory of Chief Griffith, resolving to attend the funeral in a body, and recommend the firement to do so, and to have the engine draped.
Charlotte Observer
March 14, 1893
Page 4
----------------
CHIEF GRIFFITH GOES TO HIS REST
---------
A Sterling Citizen of Mecklenburg Passes Into the Beyond--Deputy Sheriff, Sheriff, Chief of Police Chief of Fire Department--A Mason of High Standing.
"Chief" Griffith is dead.
This was the noon tide news with which the city was shocked yesterday.
The first intimation that any one had that the "Chief" was sick was the announcement in the OBSERVER of Sunday a week ago that, the reason the firemen were somewhat at seat that morning at the time was because the chief of the department was sick in bed, he having taken with the grip the Thursday before.
Saturday night, officer Baker sat up with the deceased until 12 o'clock then going on duty. At 3 o'clock a change for the worse was alarmingly apparent, and Joseph Graham, his attendant physician, was sent for. He remained with the patient for some time, entering again at 7 in the morning. But he knew that human skill was powerless. The lungs were closing rapidly and the last gasp for breath was given at 12:30.
William Franklin Griffin was born March 3, 1825, in Providence township, and was therefore 68 years of age. His parents moved to Sharon where he was reared and lived until coming to Charlotte twenty years ago. The first official capacity in which he ever served was as deputy sheriff under Sheriff M. E. Alexander for ten or twelve years, continuing in the same position under Sheriff Potts until the latter's death, when he filled out his (Potts) unexpired term. In 1887 he was elected chief of police and continued to fill this responsible position acceptably until 1891. Mr. Griffith after serving as constable for a short time, was appointed by the board of aldermen as chief of the fire department of Charlotte, and filled this position also with entire satisfaction to the citizens and city fathers.
Chief Griffith had good old Revolutionary blood in his veins, his great-grandfather Downs being a signer of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence. The chief himself was a brave soldier in the Confederate service. He was twice married, his first wife being Miss Emily Matilda Reid. He married the second time Miletha Hollingsworth, of Atlanta, on July 2 1880 and by her had one child.
He was as brave as a lion and as true as steel. The Masons will meet this afternoon at 3:30 at the Masonic Temple to hold a lodge of sorrow. From the Temple they proceed to the residence on Mint street to conduct the funeral, which will be held at 4 o'clock. The pall beareers are Messrs. G. B. Hanna, R. J. Sifford, C. Scott, W. F. Buchanan, J. H. Weddington, W. W. Ward, J. W. Cobb, W. M. Vandiver, and these are urged to be promptly on hand.
The board of aldermen met yesterday afternoon and adopted resolutions of respect to the memory of Chief Griffith, resolving to attend the funeral in a body, and recommend the firement to do so, and to have the engine draped.
Charlotte Observer
March 14, 1893
Page 4
DEATH OF A GOOD CITIZEN
----------------
CHIEF GRIFFITH GOES TO HIS REST
---------
A Sterling Citizen of Mecklenburg Passes Into the Beyond--Deputy Sheriff, Sheriff, Chief of Police Chief of Fire Department--A Mason of High Standing.
"Chief" Griffith is dead.
This was the noon tide news with which the city was shocked yesterday.
The first intimation that any one had that the "Chief" was sick was the announcement in the OBSERVER of Sunday a week ago that, the reason the firemen were somewhat at seat that morning at the time was because the chief of the department was sick in bed, he having taken with the grip the Thursday before.
Saturday night, officer Baker sat up with the deceased until 12 o'clock then going on duty. At 3 o'clock a change for the worse was alarmingly apparent, and Joseph Graham, his attendant physician, was sent for. He remained with the patient for some time, entering again at 7 in the morning. But he knew that human skill was powerless. The lungs were closing rapidly and the last gasp for breath was given at 12:30.
William Franklin Griffin was born March 3, 1825, in Providence township, and was therefore 68 years of age. His parents moved to Sharon where he was reared and lived until coming to Charlotte twenty years ago. The first official capacity in which he ever served was as deputy sheriff under Sheriff M. E. Alexander for ten or twelve years, continuing in the same position under Sheriff Potts until the latter's death, when he filled out his (Potts) unexpired term. In 1887 he was elected chief of police and continued to fill this responsible position acceptably until 1891. Mr. Griffith after serving as constable for a short time, was appointed by the board of aldermen as chief of the fire department of Charlotte, and filled this position also with entire satisfaction to the citizens and city fathers.
Chief Griffith had good old Revolutionary blood in his veins, his great-grandfather Downs being a signer of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence. The chief himself was a brave soldier in the Confederate service. He was twice married, his first wife being Miss Emily Matilda Reid. He married the second time Miletha Hollingsworth, of Atlanta, on July 2 1880 and by her had one child.
He was as brave as a lion and as true as steel. The Masons will meet this afternoon at 3:30 at the Masonic Temple to hold a lodge of sorrow. From the Temple they proceed to the residence on Mint street to conduct the funeral, which will be held at 4 o'clock. The pall beareers are Messrs. G. B. Hanna, R. J. Sifford, C. Scott, W. F. Buchanan, J. H. Weddington, W. W. Ward, J. W. Cobb, W. M. Vandiver, and these are urged to be promptly on hand.
The board of aldermen met yesterday afternoon and adopted resolutions of respect to the memory of Chief Griffith, resolving to attend the funeral in a body, and recommend the firement to do so, and to have the engine draped.
Charlotte Observer
March 14, 1893
Page 4
----------------
CHIEF GRIFFITH GOES TO HIS REST
---------
A Sterling Citizen of Mecklenburg Passes Into the Beyond--Deputy Sheriff, Sheriff, Chief of Police Chief of Fire Department--A Mason of High Standing.
"Chief" Griffith is dead.
This was the noon tide news with which the city was shocked yesterday.
The first intimation that any one had that the "Chief" was sick was the announcement in the OBSERVER of Sunday a week ago that, the reason the firemen were somewhat at seat that morning at the time was because the chief of the department was sick in bed, he having taken with the grip the Thursday before.
Saturday night, officer Baker sat up with the deceased until 12 o'clock then going on duty. At 3 o'clock a change for the worse was alarmingly apparent, and Joseph Graham, his attendant physician, was sent for. He remained with the patient for some time, entering again at 7 in the morning. But he knew that human skill was powerless. The lungs were closing rapidly and the last gasp for breath was given at 12:30.
William Franklin Griffin was born March 3, 1825, in Providence township, and was therefore 68 years of age. His parents moved to Sharon where he was reared and lived until coming to Charlotte twenty years ago. The first official capacity in which he ever served was as deputy sheriff under Sheriff M. E. Alexander for ten or twelve years, continuing in the same position under Sheriff Potts until the latter's death, when he filled out his (Potts) unexpired term. In 1887 he was elected chief of police and continued to fill this responsible position acceptably until 1891. Mr. Griffith after serving as constable for a short time, was appointed by the board of aldermen as chief of the fire department of Charlotte, and filled this position also with entire satisfaction to the citizens and city fathers.
Chief Griffith had good old Revolutionary blood in his veins, his great-grandfather Downs being a signer of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence. The chief himself was a brave soldier in the Confederate service. He was twice married, his first wife being Miss Emily Matilda Reid. He married the second time Miletha Hollingsworth, of Atlanta, on July 2 1880 and by her had one child.
He was as brave as a lion and as true as steel. The Masons will meet this afternoon at 3:30 at the Masonic Temple to hold a lodge of sorrow. From the Temple they proceed to the residence on Mint street to conduct the funeral, which will be held at 4 o'clock. The pall beareers are Messrs. G. B. Hanna, R. J. Sifford, C. Scott, W. F. Buchanan, J. H. Weddington, W. W. Ward, J. W. Cobb, W. M. Vandiver, and these are urged to be promptly on hand.
The board of aldermen met yesterday afternoon and adopted resolutions of respect to the memory of Chief Griffith, resolving to attend the funeral in a body, and recommend the firement to do so, and to have the engine draped.
Charlotte Observer
March 14, 1893
Page 4
Family Members
Siblings
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Thomas Downs Griffith
1820–1864
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Ann C Griffith Brown
1826–1910
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Mary C Griffith Bartlett
1831–1903
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Susan Jane Griffith Alexander
1835 – unknown
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James H. Griffith
1837–1866
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Margaret Matilda Griffith Stewart
1837–1904
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CPL John Larkin Griffith
1841–1864
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Nancy R. Griffith Downs
1843–1918
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Robert M. Griffith
unknown–1846
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