Griffith - Ephraim
Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal, 15 February 1901
At ten minutes past 9 o'clock Monday evening occurred the death of Ephriam C. Griffith at his home on Jefferson street. He had been complaining of the grip for some days and on Sunday was taken with pneumonia. That he would die was apparent to his physicians from the first and the end was expected all day Monday. The funeral took place at the First M. E. church Wednesday afternoon at 2 o'clock, Rev. S. W. Goss officiating. The Masons had charge of the burial ceremonies at the graveyard. Burial at Masonic cemetery. Ephriam C. Griffith was the son of Townsend and Mahala Griffith and was born in this city January 5, 1833. His mother came here with her parents named Cattlin among the first settlers and his father arrived in 1823 building the first house in town. He lived for a long time on the site of the present city building and later on the site of the Joel block. He was a builder and constructed the first county jail here. He also had mach to do with the construction of the New Albany road. Eph was established in his father's work shop when so small that he had to stand on a box to reach the bench top. He became a contractor at an early age and at one time did the principal work of the kind in this city. Scores of the handsome residences and business blocks of the city and county were built by him. He built the Elston Bank corner and all the brick buildings east to Water street: also, Joel Ornbaun, Miller, Campbell and Paul Hughes blocks, THE JOURNAL, building, the First Methodist and A. M. E churches, and the Gilbert bakery, and he also superintended the repairs to many of our public buildings and other edifices. He was superintendent of construction when the court house was built. He served several years as school trustee and was also a member of the city council at one time, being elected in 1879. He was a Mason and an Odd Fellow. In politics he was an uncompromising Democrat and always took great interest in public affairs. He was married to Mary J. Brassfield February 14,1855, and she with four children survives him. The children are George W., Douglass, Howard and Miss Birdie. There are three children dead. Mrs. Amanda Snook, of Parsons, Kansas, is a twin sister of the deceased. Mr. Griffith was a prominent and excellent citizen. He was kind to all and was always willing to do a favor for any person who would ask it of him if he could. - thanks to Kim H
Source: Crawfordsville Weekly News Review Feb 16, 1901 p 5
Ephraim C. Griffith, the well known contractor, passed away at 9:15 o’clock Tuesday at his home on east Jefferson street. He had been ill for several days but until Sunday his condition was considered by no means alrming andhis death, therefore, occasions deep shock. One week ago Moay Mr. Grifh was ken ill with the grip but he did not appreciathe extent of his illness and insisted on prescribing for himself. Not until Sunday morning did he consent to a physician being called and when Dr. TJ Griffith responded he found the patient in a state of collapse. His heart action was impaired an dit was only through the agency of powerful restoratives that he survived Sunday and Monday. All day Monday physicians were at his bedside but the patient was in a dying condition and at 9:15 the end came. Ephrain C. Griffith was a son of Townsend and Mahala Griffith and was born in Crawfordsville Jan 5, 1833. His parents were among the first settlers, coming here about 1823. Townsend Griffith built the first log jail in Crawofrdsville and when this burned he put up the first brick one. He was always active in public improvements. Ephraim was raised in this city and educated in the common school. At the age of 12 years he began to learn the cabinet and carpenter’s trade with his father and this was his life’s work. He superintended the erection of the courthouse and was actively engaged until his last illness. He was a school trustee for several years and also served in the city council. Mr. Griffith was married Feb 14, 1855 to Mary J. Brassfield, who survives him together with four grown children; George W, Douglas, Howard E. and Berdie. He leaves three sisters, Mrs. Morgan Snook of Parsons, Kas, a twin and Mrs. Matilda Galey and Mrs. George Warbinton of this city. The deceased did more than his share toward the improvement and development of the city and county and stood high in the estimation of the community. He belonged to the Odd Fellows and Masonic fraternities.