Greff, Lawrence 1884-1905

GREFF, GRIFF

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - volunteer (email)
Date: 9/18/2013 at 19:18:15

Alton Democrat of July 1, 1905 Granville News

Mrs. Katherine Griff received a telegram from Chamberlain South Dakota Monday evening stating her son Lawrence had drowned and what they should be with him.

Mrs. Griff and son Edward left on the next train for the scene of the accident. The unfortunate boy was twenty one years of age and employed as a cowboy on a ranch near Chamberlain. No particulars of the accident have been received.
----------------------------------------

Alton Democrat of July 8, 1905 Granville news

Mrs Catherine Greff and her son Edward returned last Thursday evening from Chamberlain South Dakota where they attended the funeral of Lawrence the eldest son of Mrs. Greff. The particidars regarding his death are as follows:

On Sunday afternoon a week ago a number of cattle were killed on the ranches thirty miles southwest of Chamberlain and Lawrence who is employed by Montgomery Ward and Marshall Field and whose duty it was to look after stray cattle and see that such cattle were properly branded went with several men to see if those cattle killed belonged to his firm. They came to a small creek called Thunder creek which was swollen by recent rains.

Several dead cattle were on the opposite bank and Lawrence rode his horse into the torrents and reached the other shore. But the horse could get no foothold and after struggling for some time both man and horse succumbed to the fury of the element.

Lawrence was a good swimmer but it is supposed that he was hurt by the struggling horse. Deseased was born in 1884 on a farm between Marcus and Remsen. He has been in the employ of the above firm for the past four years and attended strictly to his duties and had a bright future before him. He had intended to come home this summer for a visit.

The funeral was held at the Chamberlain catholic church last Wednesday. Rev. Kelly officiating and interment made in the catholic cemetery. He leaves his mother, his brother Edward and sisters Clara and Gertrude to mourn his loss.