Miss Jeanne Griffin
Jan. 13, 1887-January 5, 1969

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, January 7, 1969, page 2, col. 3-4, microfilm Niles District Library

Miss Griffin, historian

EDITOR'S NOTE: Out of respect for Jeanne Griffin who will be buried Wednesday at 2 p.m., the Fort St. Joseph Museum will be closed in the afternoon.  Miss Griffin served on the museum board of trustees for many years.

A requiem eucharist service for Jeanne Griffin will be held at 12:15 p.m., Wednesday in Trinity Episcopal Church, to be followed by a funeral service at 2 p.m. also in the church.

Miss Griffin, 81, died Sunday evening in Pawating Hospital after a month's illness.  A retired librarian, she had resided at 409 N. 4th.  She is survived by several cousins.

An avid historian, Miss Griffin was well qualified for her role since her family had been in the Niles area since 1832, migrating from New York.

Her grandfather, Lt. Col. Eli Augustus Griffin, served with the 6th Michigan Regiment in Sherman's march to the sea and her maternal grandfather, David Oliphant Woodruff who migrated from New York State in 1852, owned all of the land adjacent to the Ballard farm in the section of Niles now known as Arrowhead.  It was then a cow pasture according to historical documents and Woodruff Street was named for the gentleman.

 An active worker for international peace, Miss Griffin waged a one-woman crusade for many years and served as delegate-at-large for the Michigan Division of the United Nations Assn. traveling extensively in its behalf and joining in a United Nations world tour.

 She had spent much of her lifetime in Niles, and had been librarian in Duluth, Minn., Detroit, and for 20 years in the Kalamazoo Public Library.  She also directed the museum there.  A member of the state board of the United Nations Association of the United States of America, Miss Griffin also served as president of the local organization.  She was a former member of the board of trustees of the Fort St. Joseph Historical Association.

   Miss Griffin, who attended the University of Michigan, was graduated from the Drexel Institute of Philadelphia, where she earned her degree in library science.  She was a member of St. Agnes Guild of Trinity.

 [Illegible] arrangements and burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.  Friends may call at the funeral home after 7 p.m. today.

   Memorials may be given to the Fort St. Joseph Historical Society and Museum or to the Niles Public Library.

       

Jennie Woodruff Griffin
October 13, 1858-December December 31, 1955

Deaths and Obituaries


    MRS. JENNIE GRIFFIN, 97, 409 North Fourth Street, a prominent Niles woman and widow of E.C. Griffin, died at 2 a.m. today at Pawating Hospital after an illness of only a few hours.
    She was born in Niles on Oct. 13, 1858, the daughter of David O. and Clarissa Hurd Woodruff.  The Griffin, Woodruff and Hurd families were pioneer residents of Niles.  Her husband operated a drug store in Niles for many years.
    Mrs. Griffin was a life-long member of the Trinity Episcopal Church and honorary member of the Ladies' Historical Society. She was a charter member of the Niles Club of Home Gardens.
    She leaves one daughter, Miss Jeanne Griffin and a son-in-law Otto W. Haisley of Ann Arbor [illegible]. Her daughter, Harriet Griffin Haisley, preceded her in death in January of 1834.
    The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Monday in Trinity Episcopal Church with the Rev. John G. Carleton officiating.  Memorials to her church or to Pawating Hospital, instead of flowers, are requested.  Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.
(Source: Niles Daily Star, Saturday, December 31, 1955, page 2 col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library)

Edwin Clarence Griffin
Died May 17, 1929


    In the passing of Edwin Clarence Griffin, early this morning, Niles mourns the loss of a man whose whole life was been an expression of his love for his community.  He was born in Niles, a member of a prominent pioneer family, his father having been Eli Griffin, a major in the Union army who gave his life during the Civil war, and his mother, Harriet Nichols Griffin, of an old Massachusetts family.
    Mr. Griffin was in the drug business here for over forty years.  He was actively concerned in the building up of a new Niles, being an officer in the Business Men's association which brought many of our present manufacturies here, and also an officer in several building and loan associations.
    He was a member of Trinity Episcopal church, and long connected with Niles Commandery Council, chapter and Blue Lodge.  He was secretary of the chapter for 38 years, very energetic in the Masonic Temple association and extremely interested in the organization of the De Molay chapter.
    Mr. Griffin married Clara Jane Woodruff, the daughter of D.O. Woodruff, long a leader of civic enterprises in Niles, who was a member of the school board and of Trinity vestry for several decades.  To her, the object of a life-times' devotion on the part of her husband and also to their two daughters is extended the sympathy of hundreds of loving friends.  The daughters are Mrs. Harriet Haisley, wife of O.W. Haisley, superintendent of schools in Ann Arbor, and Miss Jeanne Griffin of the Kalamazoo public library.  Miss Griffin is now traveling in Spain, and cannot be reached at this time.
    Funeral services will be held at Trinity church on Sunday afternoon at 3:30.  The ritual at Silverbrook cemetery will be conducted by the Blue Lodge, the members of the Niles commandery acting as escort.
(Source: Niles Daily Star, Friday, May 17, 1929, page 1, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library)

Robert C. Pierce
Feb. 16, 1878-Dec. 17, 1955

Deaths and Obituaries

Robert C. Pierce, Niles Civic Leader Dies at Age 77

            ROBERT C. PIERCE, 77, at 124 North 13th Street, a Niles civic leader for a number of years, died at 6:15 p.m., Saturday at Pawating Hospital.  Death followed an illness of one day.

            Mr. Pierce was a consulting engineer for National-Standard Company of Niles, a position he held since coming to Miles in 1926.  He developed the “Woven Pierce Tape” which was used extensively for many years to reinforce automobile tires.  Before coming to Niles he was associated with the B.F. Goodrich Co., of Akron, O., and American Chain and Cable Co., of Bridgeport, Conn.

            Mr. Pierce was very active in civic affairs.  He was particularly interested in the development of Pawating Hospital, having been a member of the board of trustees for about 12 years and having served as president of the association for several years.  Mr. Pierce was especially active at the time of the first hospital addition was constructed and served as chairman of the building committee for the project. He retired from the board in 1954.

            He also was a member of the Niles Board of Public Works from 1934 to 1939, and chairman of the board from 1936 to 1939, a member of the Recreation Board from 1936 to 1940 and a member of the Park Board from 1953 to 1955.  He also was a director of the Niles Federal Savings and Loan Association.

            Mr. Pierce was born Feb. 16, 1878 at Tallmadge, O. His wife, Grace, died Sept. 27, 1952.  Survivors are two daughters, Mrs. Frances Markley and Mrs. Richard C. Williams, both of Niles; a son, Charles S. Pierce of Niles; five grandchildren, and a brother, Roger B. Pierce of Cuyahoga Falls, O.

            He was an elder of the First Presbyterian Church and had served on the session of the Board of Trustees.  He also was a member of the Rotary Club.

            The body is at the Kiger Funeral Home and will be moved to the Presbyterian Church where it will lie in state from noon Tuesday until funeral services, which will be held at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday.  Rites will be conducted by Dr. T.M. Greenhoe and burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.

(Source: Niles Daily Star, Monday, Dec. 19, 1955, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library)

Mrs. John (Helen Scouton) Woodruff
Died June 20, 1896

Passed Over The River

    It is with deep regret we are called upon to announce the death of a good neighbor and friend, one who has resided among us for many years and has ever been loved and respected.  Mrs. John Woodruff, age 58 years, who passed away at the noon hour Saturday, from a complication of diseases.  Her great virtues, social standing and prominence, won for her that high esteem to which she was entitled.  Always charitable, a Christian lady, her loss will be keenly felt not only by the family, but by host of friends and acquaintances, who will ever cherish her memory. Time of funeral undecided.  Rev. R.H. F. Gairdner will conduct the services.
(Source:  Niles Weekly Mirror, Wednesday, June 24, 1891, page 1, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library)