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Mt. Hope Pioneer Cemetery ~ Lewis Cunningham Griffith
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Griffith, Lewis Cunningham
LAST: Griffith FIRST: Lewis MID: Cunningham
GENDER: M MAIDEN NAME:  TITLE: 
BORN: 12 Mar 1829 DIED: 25 Nov 1913 BURIED: 28 Nov 1913
OCCUPATION:  Farmer
BIRTH PLACE:  Missouri
DEATH PLACE: Macleay, Marion Co., Oregon
NOTES: 
OSBH DC (Marion County 1913) #3977 - Lewis Cunningham Griffith, male, widowed, occupation farmer, b. 12 May 1829 in Missouri, d. 25 Nov 1913 near Macleay, Oregon at the age of 84 y's 8 m's 13 d's, name of father Chisholm Griffith (b. Kentucky), maiden name of mother Clayton, interment 28 Nov, undertaker Rigdon-Richardson, no informant listed;
BIOGRAPHICAL:
Thirty-Nine Years – Mr. and Mrs. L.C. Griffith’s Wedding Anniversary – “The Lilac’s” is the name of the beautiful farm home of Hon. And Mrs. Lewis C. Griffith, near the village of Clymer, in the Waldo Hills east of Salem, and on last Thursday, the 22nd inst., a very happy affair occurred there, it being the thirty-ninth anniversary of the marriage of the venerable couple. Their daughter, Miss Genevieve, planned to give them a surprise and accordingly invitations were sent out to a large number of relatives and neighbors to participate in the festivities. The hours appointed for the reception were from 1 to 4 p.m., and the guests were all present without delay. The house was tastily decorated with wild grape and evergreens and, after a brief season of congratulatory greetings and social converse, interspersed with vocal and instrumental music, an elegant luncheon was discussed. At the conclusion of this a number of young people very cleverly rendered the pretty parlor entertainment “The Cricket on the Hearth,” greatly to the satisfaction and pleasure of the numerous company present.
Mr. and Mrs. Griffith were made husband and wife on the 22nd of April 1858, the ceremony being performed by Thomas H. Small. Mrs. Griffith’s maiden name was Susan Savage; she was a daughter of the late Dr. J. M. Savage, well known in Marion County.
BIOGRAPHICAL - Griffith Family:
“Chisholm Griffith, a pioneer in the wagon train of 1850, died at his home in Waldo Hills on Saturday, April 11, 1891, a month short of his 85th birthday. He was born in Kentucky, on May 11, 1806. He was married to Mariah Willis Clayton, whose father was a teacher and Mariah was her father’s associate before she married Mr. Griffith. Their wagon train crossed the plains with Mr. Riggs as captain. Their party was badly scourged with cholera, many dying along the way. Marauding Indians continually stole their stock, until many families became discouraged and turned back. At Fort Hall, what was left of their train joined the train of Dr. John Savage Williams and others with Captain Lewis in charge. They finally made their way over the mountains to the Willamette Valley. The first winter was spent at Fort Vancouver, where two of their children died and were buried there. In the spring the family settled in Waldo Hills. Mrs. Griffith died Dec. 20, 1863. They were both members of the Methodist Church and were interested in all its activities. In addition to John and Elizabeth who died in Vancouver, the following children were born to the couple: Thomas, Lewis, Mary, wife of Charles Scriber; Rebecca, wife of Mr. Clemens; Minerva, wife of Isham Burnett; and Julia, wife of King Hibbard.” (Source: Scrapbook in Silverton Library) .
Those present were: Mr. and Mrs. L. C. Griffith, Miss Genevieve Griffith, Miss Helen Griffith, Rev. and Mrs. Thos. Small, Hon. And Mrs. T. T. Geer, Hon. And Mrs. Warren Cranston, Mrs. J. B. Waldo, Mr. and Mrs. John Humphrey, Mr. and Mrs. T. B. Patton, Hon. and Mrs. Henry Warren, Mr. and Mrs. Philip Bowers, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Warren, Mr. and Mrs. C. W. Scriber, Mr. and Mrs. K. L. Hibbard, Miss Gertrude Hibbard, Mr. and Mrs. L. Bird, Mr. W. N. Savage, Col. and Mrs. R.A. Miller, of Oregon City, Superintendent and Mrs. Geo. A. Peebles, Miss Julia Metschan, Dr. and Mrs. J. C. Griffith, Dr. L. F. Griffith, Rev. J. Short, Mr. John Shanks, Mr. and Mrs. John Short, Mr. Mert Warren, Mr. C. M. Rae, Mr. Fred Burch, Mr. Claude Hibbard, Mr. Will Short, Mr. Carl Griffith, Miss Lois Peebles, Miss Alice Peebles. [incited newspaper clipping - dated 22 Apr 1897]
BIOGRAPHICAL:
(From - Impressions and Observations of The Journal Man, by Fred Lockley): One of the best known and best liked farmers in the Waldo Hills was Lewis C. Griffith. His daughter, Mrs. Virginia Cooke, lives with her daughter, Mrs. Walter Pruden, at 3104 N.E. Schuyler Street.
Lewis C. Griffith, father of Mrs. Virginia Griffith Cooke, was a clerk of McAlpin School District in the Waldo Hills from 1865 to 1869. This district was named for Robert McAlpin, pioneer of 1851 and first clerk of the district.
Among pioneers in the Waldo Hills who were members of the wagon train of 1850, in which Chisholm and Lewis Griffith came, were Elias F. Colby, C. G. Mascher, William Morley, Charles W. Scriber, Reuben Lee and Lawrence and Christ Eisenhardt. Mascher married Sarah Eisenhardt. They moved from Maryland to Missouri in 1844 and in 1850 to the Willamette Valley. Mascher helped organize Bethany Church in the Waldo Hills. Scriber was married in Washington Territory, February 20, 1851. Lee, born in Illinois in 1827, stopped at Portland in the fall of 1850 and was offered business lots at $8 and $12. He thought the price excessive, so went to the Waldo Hills and took a claim of 320 acres in the fall of 1852. By his first wife, whose maiden name was Frances Drinkwater, he had eight children. He moved from the Waldo Hills to Brooks and later to Aumsville.
Oregon Journal 4 Oct 1938 10:5-6.
NOTE: Photo of Lewis Griffith, courtesy of Barbara Giesy;
OBITUARY: 
Seriously Injured – About 5 o’clock on Thursday afternoon, Hon. L. C. Griffith, who resides on his farm ten miles east of Salem in the Waldo Hills, met with a distressing accident as a result of which the unfortunate gentleman is now lying at his home in a critical condition. He was in the act of loading a wagon with rails, and while climbing onto the load, slipped and pitched forward to the ground, striking on his head and shoulders. He fell between the wheels, and the shock partially paralyzed his right side; he was unable to rise, and was compelled to remain in that dangerous position for over an hour, when one of his farm hands, alarmed at Mr. Griffith’s continued absence, came to his aid. The old gentleman was hastily removed to his home and medical aid was summoned. Dr. L. F. Griffith, of the asylum, a son of the injured man, hastened to his father’s beside and did everything in his power for the injured man. Last evening he was still paralyzed and it was feared his neck had been seriously injured, but hopes were entertained for his recovery. While lying under the wagon, Mr. Griffith retained a hold on the lines and as he did not lose consciousness for an instant, he was enabled to hold his team (one of the horses was a colt and quite restless) and thus saved himself from a more serious injury, which would have resulted had the horses started and dragged the heavily loaded wagon over their master’s prostrate body. [uncited newspaper clipping - possibly from the Oregon Statesman]

Pioneer Passes – L.C. Griffith Dies at Ranch Home in Waldo Hills – Death Takes Man of Fine Character at 10 O’Clock Last Night – Had Been Confined for Years in Chair – Friends of the well known family will regret to hear that L. C. Griffith passed away on his ranch in the Waldo Hills last night at 10 o’clock. He was 84 years of age, having been born in Kentucky in 1829.
Mr. Griffith lost his wife five years ago. Fourteen years ago he had a fall from which he never fully recovered. Since the accident he had been confined to his chair. He had been sick but a couple of days before his death.
He was well known in Salem and in the surrounding country as a man of splendid character and his death will be deeply mourned by the large number of friends he made during his residence in this section, one of fifty years.
In politics Mr. Griffith was a Democrat and many years ago was a candidate for the state legislature. About forty years ago he moved to this city and with P. Howard conducted a meat market. After 2 years he returned to his Waldo Hills ranch and lived there continuously up to the time of his passing.
His sons are Drs. J. C. Griffith and L. C. Griffith, both of Salem, and Dr C. C. Griffith of Burns, Or. The daughters are Mrs. A. W. Giesy and Mrs. G. A. Peebles, both of Portland.
The funeral arrangements have not been made pending the arrival of relatives.
Oregon Statesman 26 Nov 1913 1:4.

L. C. Griffith died at his home in the Waldo Hills last night, at 10 o’clock, aged 84 years….The funeral will be held from the home of the deceased in Waldo Hills Friday at 1 o’clock.
Capital Journal 26 Nov 1913 8:6.

The funeral of L. C. Griffith will be held from the residence in the Waldo Hills today (Friday) at 1 o’clock, by Rev, P. S. Knight. The interment will take place in the Warren Cemetery. At the same time the remains of Peter Luthy, a well known pioneer and neighbor of Mr. Griffith, will be buried in the same cemetery.
Oregon Statesman 28 Nov 1913 5:2.

Lewis Cunningham Griffith died Tuesday, November 25, 1913, in Waldo Hills at the age of 85. He was a good businessman and had built up one of the best farms in that area. He was buried in Warren Cemetery beside his wife, Susan, who preceded him in death, having died January 31, 1909.
Lewis Griffith was born in Kentucky, March 12, 1829, a son of Chisholm and Miriah Griffith. Later he moved to Missouri with his parents. In 1850 they joined the wagon train and came to Oregon, where they spent the first winter at Fort Vancouver. Dr. John Savage and several of his charming daughters were in this party also. Susan Margaret took Mr. Griffith’s eye. She was a very lovely young woman and in the year 1858 he was united in marriage to her at her father’s home in Waldo Hills. She was born December 23, 1838.
Their marriage was blessed with 8 children, namely Serelia, wife first of Mr. Grubbe, then Robert Miller; Virginia, wife of George Peebles, then Warren Cook; Dr. John, Jennie, Dr. Lewis F., Martha Louise, wife of Judge L. H. McMahan; Helen, wife of A. W. Geisy; and Dr. Carl Griffith. Many grandchildren also mourn his death. [uncited newspaper clipping found in the Silverton Public Library scrapbooks]

Griffith-Luthy
Bury Pioneers – Two Prominent Men Laid to Rest in Warren Cemetery – L.C. Griffith and Peter Luthy Funerals Held – Had Grown Up Together – Many Present at Services. – A coincidence in the recent death of two prominent pioneers, L.C. Griffith and Peter Luthy, both of whom resided in the Waldo Hills up to a few months ago on adjoining farms, was the burial services yesterday afternoon at 2 o’clock in the old Warren Cemetery, when the remains of the two friends and neighbors were laid to rest beside relatives and friends of the Waldo Hills vicinity.
Rev. P.S. Knight officiated at the funeral services of Mr. Griffith at the family residence in the Waldo Hills at 1 o’clock yesterday. A large number of friends and relatives were present and many beautiful floral offerings were received. The pallbearers were A. Jones, J. C. Currie, E. May, W. Kissling, H. Thompson, and J. Jones.
Funeral services were held from the Peter Luthy residence at 1497 South Thirteenth Street in this city at 10:30 o’clock yesterday morning. Rev. H. Leinkemper of the German Reformed Church officiated. The floral offerings were especially beautiful and were conveyed to the cemetery by a special floral vehicle. The pall bearers were: W. M. Siegmund, L. Hobson, H. S. Bosshardt, R. C. Arpke, J. Tussele, and R. Andregg.
Nestling in a niche in the Waldo Hills, a little grassy plot of ground holds the earthly remains of many of Oregon’s most respected pioneers. Here neighbors of the Waldo Hills who had grown up together and had become lifelong friends are buried side by side. The rusty little gate was opened yesterday to admit two funeral corteges and when sorrowing friends and relatives left the little burying ground two more honored men rested beside friends of former years, years of the axe and hammer when rough logs were hewn in a wilderness of firs and crude cabins erected in the clearings.
Not for years had the little cemetery witnessed such a crowd of people as assembled there yesterday for the commitment services of the two almost universally beloved men.
Oregon Statesman 29 Nov 1913.
INSCRIPTION: 
L. C. Griffith
Mar. 12, 1829
Nov. 25, 1913
[south face of monument shared with Susan]

West Face of Monument:
GRIFFITH
"I Am The Resurrection And The Life He That Believeth
In Me Though He Were Dead Yet Shall
He Live. St. John 11:25"

2nd Marker: "Father"
SOURCES: 
Hellie, Mader & Rickey
Saucy
OSBH DC (Marion County 1913) #3977
OJ 4 Oct 1938 10:5-6
OS 26 Nov 1913 1:4
CJ 26 Nov 1913 8:6
OS 28 Nov 1913 5:2
OS 29 Nov 1913
SECTION: A LOT:   
IMAGES:
           
 
 

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