John Bunyan Griffin was born in 1862 in Philadelphia, Cass County, Illinois, the 6th of 10 children to Sarah Stimpson and Eleizer Griffin. His parents arrived in New York City in Sep 1854 from England on the ship "Yorktown" along with his two oldest brothers.
In Jun 1878, when he was 15 years old, his father died. They were living in Liter, Morgan County, Illinois.
On May 18, 1883, when he was 20 years old, his family suffered great loss of life and property caused by the memorable Literberry Cyclone. John's right arm was broken and he sustained slight head injuries.
Quoted from the Jacksonville Daily Journal, May 21, 1912, "The storm was first seen approaching the place from the southwest about 8:20 p.m. Mr. J. B. Griffin tells us that they were just closing their store when he saw the cloud which was in the shape of a pillar or column coming towards the town. He hastily finished closing up and sought his mother's house. While there the blow came with terrific force, lasting only about one minute, the direction was from southwest to northeast, sweeping east through the residence and business section of Liter.
In those fateful few seconds full three-fourths of the buildings in the town were completely demolished _____ as it crashed in a direct blow from overhead. The whole area of the storm's track was strewn with the timbers, ____ and debris of the ruined structures. But the saddest part of the storm is the loss of life and the maiming of human beings. In that moment of time households were stricken with losses that can not be regained in this life."
The family home and business were destroyed and five family members died from their injuries.
After the disaster, the remaining family moved to Nokomis, Montgomery, Illinois where his older brother, Alf Griffin, was already established in business.
Feb 28, 1884 John married Lillie May Culp in Nokomis.
Sep 5, 1884 their son George Graph Griffin was born in Nokomis.
John was a Commercial Traveler, a traveling salesman.
The family lived in Terre Haute, Vigo, Indiana for several years.
Jun 26, 1891 their daughter Lillian Gertrude Griffin was born in Terre Haute.
May 8, 1892 their 11-month old daughter Lillian died; cause of death is unknown.
Feb 9, 1898 his wife Lillie died in Terre Haute; cause of death is unknown.
Mar 9, 1899 John married Laura E. Thomas in Indianapolis.
According to my father, his Granddaddy John lived in fashionable Indianapolis. He was married to Laura for 32 years at the time of his death at 68 years of age.
Apr 7, 1931 John died in an automobile accident in the countryside west of New Augusta in Indianapolis. My father said John would have been able to see a mile from either direction at the intersection of 71st St and Zionsville Rd. He instead collided with another car which was traveling south on Zionsville Rd. William Chastain of New Augusta, the driver of the other car, suffered from a severe cut on the head. The top of John's car had to be peeled off to reach him. He died from a crushed head.
John was a member of the Mystic Tie Lodge, F. and A. M. (stands for Free and Accepted Masons) and the Knights Templar. He was a salesman for the Shapleigh Hardware Company of St. Louis, Missouri and for twenty-five years had represented the company in Indiana. He had lived in Indianapolis thirty-one years and was well known in Terre Haute, where he formerly lived.
John was a Council Member of The Order of United Commercial Travelers of America (UCT) which was formed by eight traveling salesmen on Jan 16, 1888, in Columbus, Ohio, as a society to provide accident insurance & other benefits for traveling salesmen, or commercial travelers & their families.
The Mystic Tie Lodge have charge of funeral services held at 10:30 a.m. on April the 9th at the Flanner & Buchanan mortuary. His body was taken to Terre Haute for burial.
My father had John's decorative Masonic ceremonial sword with scabbard till it was stolen in the 1970s. John's full name was carved on the side, it was beautiful.
Here is a link about the cyclone: https://sites.rootsweb.com/~ilmaga/newspapers/cyclone.html
In Jun 1878, when he was 15 years old, his father died. They were living in Liter, Morgan County, Illinois.
On May 18, 1883, when he was 20 years old, his family suffered great loss of life and property caused by the memorable Literberry Cyclone. John's right arm was broken and he sustained slight head injuries.
Quoted from the Jacksonville Daily Journal, May 21, 1912, "The storm was first seen approaching the place from the southwest about 8:20 p.m. Mr. J. B. Griffin tells us that they were just closing their store when he saw the cloud which was in the shape of a pillar or column coming towards the town. He hastily finished closing up and sought his mother's house. While there the blow came with terrific force, lasting only about one minute, the direction was from southwest to northeast, sweeping east through the residence and business section of Liter.
In those fateful few seconds full three-fourths of the buildings in the town were completely demolished _____ as it crashed in a direct blow from overhead. The whole area of the storm's track was strewn with the timbers, ____ and debris of the ruined structures. But the saddest part of the storm is the loss of life and the maiming of human beings. In that moment of time households were stricken with losses that can not be regained in this life."
The family home and business were destroyed and five family members died from their injuries.
After the disaster, the remaining family moved to Nokomis, Montgomery, Illinois where his older brother, Alf Griffin, was already established in business.
Feb 28, 1884 John married Lillie May Culp in Nokomis.
Sep 5, 1884 their son George Graph Griffin was born in Nokomis.
John was a Commercial Traveler, a traveling salesman.
The family lived in Terre Haute, Vigo, Indiana for several years.
Jun 26, 1891 their daughter Lillian Gertrude Griffin was born in Terre Haute.
May 8, 1892 their 11-month old daughter Lillian died; cause of death is unknown.
Feb 9, 1898 his wife Lillie died in Terre Haute; cause of death is unknown.
Mar 9, 1899 John married Laura E. Thomas in Indianapolis.
According to my father, his Granddaddy John lived in fashionable Indianapolis. He was married to Laura for 32 years at the time of his death at 68 years of age.
Apr 7, 1931 John died in an automobile accident in the countryside west of New Augusta in Indianapolis. My father said John would have been able to see a mile from either direction at the intersection of 71st St and Zionsville Rd. He instead collided with another car which was traveling south on Zionsville Rd. William Chastain of New Augusta, the driver of the other car, suffered from a severe cut on the head. The top of John's car had to be peeled off to reach him. He died from a crushed head.
John was a member of the Mystic Tie Lodge, F. and A. M. (stands for Free and Accepted Masons) and the Knights Templar. He was a salesman for the Shapleigh Hardware Company of St. Louis, Missouri and for twenty-five years had represented the company in Indiana. He had lived in Indianapolis thirty-one years and was well known in Terre Haute, where he formerly lived.
John was a Council Member of The Order of United Commercial Travelers of America (UCT) which was formed by eight traveling salesmen on Jan 16, 1888, in Columbus, Ohio, as a society to provide accident insurance & other benefits for traveling salesmen, or commercial travelers & their families.
The Mystic Tie Lodge have charge of funeral services held at 10:30 a.m. on April the 9th at the Flanner & Buchanan mortuary. His body was taken to Terre Haute for burial.
My father had John's decorative Masonic ceremonial sword with scabbard till it was stolen in the 1970s. John's full name was carved on the side, it was beautiful.
Here is a link about the cyclone: https://sites.rootsweb.com/~ilmaga/newspapers/cyclone.html
John Bunyan Griffin was born in 1862 in Philadelphia, Cass County, Illinois, the 6th of 10 children to Sarah Stimpson and Eleizer Griffin. His parents arrived in New York City in Sep 1854 from England on the ship "Yorktown" along with his two oldest brothers.
In Jun 1878, when he was 15 years old, his father died. They were living in Liter, Morgan County, Illinois.
On May 18, 1883, when he was 20 years old, his family suffered great loss of life and property caused by the memorable Literberry Cyclone. John's right arm was broken and he sustained slight head injuries.
Quoted from the Jacksonville Daily Journal, May 21, 1912, "The storm was first seen approaching the place from the southwest about 8:20 p.m. Mr. J. B. Griffin tells us that they were just closing their store when he saw the cloud which was in the shape of a pillar or column coming towards the town. He hastily finished closing up and sought his mother's house. While there the blow came with terrific force, lasting only about one minute, the direction was from southwest to northeast, sweeping east through the residence and business section of Liter.
In those fateful few seconds full three-fourths of the buildings in the town were completely demolished _____ as it crashed in a direct blow from overhead. The whole area of the storm's track was strewn with the timbers, ____ and debris of the ruined structures. But the saddest part of the storm is the loss of life and the maiming of human beings. In that moment of time households were stricken with losses that can not be regained in this life."
The family home and business were destroyed and five family members died from their injuries.
After the disaster, the remaining family moved to Nokomis, Montgomery, Illinois where his older brother, Alf Griffin, was already established in business.
Feb 28, 1884 John married Lillie May Culp in Nokomis.
Sep 5, 1884 their son George Graph Griffin was born in Nokomis.
John was a Commercial Traveler, a traveling salesman.
The family lived in Terre Haute, Vigo, Indiana for several years.
Jun 26, 1891 their daughter Lillian Gertrude Griffin was born in Terre Haute.
May 8, 1892 their 11-month old daughter Lillian died; cause of death is unknown.
Feb 9, 1898 his wife Lillie died in Terre Haute; cause of death is unknown.
Mar 9, 1899 John married Laura E. Thomas in Indianapolis.
According to my father, his Granddaddy John lived in fashionable Indianapolis. He was married to Laura for 32 years at the time of his death at 68 years of age.
Apr 7, 1931 John died in an automobile accident in the countryside west of New Augusta in Indianapolis. My father said John would have been able to see a mile from either direction at the intersection of 71st St and Zionsville Rd. He instead collided with another car which was traveling south on Zionsville Rd. William Chastain of New Augusta, the driver of the other car, suffered from a severe cut on the head. The top of John's car had to be peeled off to reach him. He died from a crushed head.
John was a member of the Mystic Tie Lodge, F. and A. M. (stands for Free and Accepted Masons) and the Knights Templar. He was a salesman for the Shapleigh Hardware Company of St. Louis, Missouri and for twenty-five years had represented the company in Indiana. He had lived in Indianapolis thirty-one years and was well known in Terre Haute, where he formerly lived.
John was a Council Member of The Order of United Commercial Travelers of America (UCT) which was formed by eight traveling salesmen on Jan 16, 1888, in Columbus, Ohio, as a society to provide accident insurance & other benefits for traveling salesmen, or commercial travelers & their families.
The Mystic Tie Lodge have charge of funeral services held at 10:30 a.m. on April the 9th at the Flanner & Buchanan mortuary. His body was taken to Terre Haute for burial.
My father had John's decorative Masonic ceremonial sword with scabbard till it was stolen in the 1970s. John's full name was carved on the side, it was beautiful.
Here is a link about the cyclone: https://sites.rootsweb.com/~ilmaga/newspapers/cyclone.html
In Jun 1878, when he was 15 years old, his father died. They were living in Liter, Morgan County, Illinois.
On May 18, 1883, when he was 20 years old, his family suffered great loss of life and property caused by the memorable Literberry Cyclone. John's right arm was broken and he sustained slight head injuries.
Quoted from the Jacksonville Daily Journal, May 21, 1912, "The storm was first seen approaching the place from the southwest about 8:20 p.m. Mr. J. B. Griffin tells us that they were just closing their store when he saw the cloud which was in the shape of a pillar or column coming towards the town. He hastily finished closing up and sought his mother's house. While there the blow came with terrific force, lasting only about one minute, the direction was from southwest to northeast, sweeping east through the residence and business section of Liter.
In those fateful few seconds full three-fourths of the buildings in the town were completely demolished _____ as it crashed in a direct blow from overhead. The whole area of the storm's track was strewn with the timbers, ____ and debris of the ruined structures. But the saddest part of the storm is the loss of life and the maiming of human beings. In that moment of time households were stricken with losses that can not be regained in this life."
The family home and business were destroyed and five family members died from their injuries.
After the disaster, the remaining family moved to Nokomis, Montgomery, Illinois where his older brother, Alf Griffin, was already established in business.
Feb 28, 1884 John married Lillie May Culp in Nokomis.
Sep 5, 1884 their son George Graph Griffin was born in Nokomis.
John was a Commercial Traveler, a traveling salesman.
The family lived in Terre Haute, Vigo, Indiana for several years.
Jun 26, 1891 their daughter Lillian Gertrude Griffin was born in Terre Haute.
May 8, 1892 their 11-month old daughter Lillian died; cause of death is unknown.
Feb 9, 1898 his wife Lillie died in Terre Haute; cause of death is unknown.
Mar 9, 1899 John married Laura E. Thomas in Indianapolis.
According to my father, his Granddaddy John lived in fashionable Indianapolis. He was married to Laura for 32 years at the time of his death at 68 years of age.
Apr 7, 1931 John died in an automobile accident in the countryside west of New Augusta in Indianapolis. My father said John would have been able to see a mile from either direction at the intersection of 71st St and Zionsville Rd. He instead collided with another car which was traveling south on Zionsville Rd. William Chastain of New Augusta, the driver of the other car, suffered from a severe cut on the head. The top of John's car had to be peeled off to reach him. He died from a crushed head.
John was a member of the Mystic Tie Lodge, F. and A. M. (stands for Free and Accepted Masons) and the Knights Templar. He was a salesman for the Shapleigh Hardware Company of St. Louis, Missouri and for twenty-five years had represented the company in Indiana. He had lived in Indianapolis thirty-one years and was well known in Terre Haute, where he formerly lived.
John was a Council Member of The Order of United Commercial Travelers of America (UCT) which was formed by eight traveling salesmen on Jan 16, 1888, in Columbus, Ohio, as a society to provide accident insurance & other benefits for traveling salesmen, or commercial travelers & their families.
The Mystic Tie Lodge have charge of funeral services held at 10:30 a.m. on April the 9th at the Flanner & Buchanan mortuary. His body was taken to Terre Haute for burial.
My father had John's decorative Masonic ceremonial sword with scabbard till it was stolen in the 1970s. John's full name was carved on the side, it was beautiful.
Here is a link about the cyclone: https://sites.rootsweb.com/~ilmaga/newspapers/cyclone.html
Inscription
Lillie M. Griffin
Born Sept 20, 1865
Died Feb 9, 1898
Lillian Gertrude Griffin
Born June 26, 1891
Died May 8, 1892
George G. Griffin
1884 - 1919
John B. Griffin
1862 - 1931
Laura E. Wife of John
1871 - 1952
Family Members
Siblings
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Records on Ancestry
Advertisement
