Griffin, Ralph 1889-1938

GRIFFIN, SCHILLING, FINDLAY

Posted By: Paul Van Dyke-Volunteer
Date: 7/20/2014 at 22:18:26

Source: Hawarden Independent (7-28-1938)

Born: July 5, 1889
Died: July 23, 1938

Ralph Griffin , a former Hawarden young man, passed away in Portland, Oregon, at 2 o’clock Saturday afternoon, according to word contained in a telegram to Harry Waite of Hawarden, boyhood friend. While it was known here that Ralph was not in the best of health, it was not known that his condition was serious and news of his death came as a distinct surprise to old Hawarden friends.

Funeral services were held in Portland Tuesday and interment was made here.

Ralph Griffin was about 48 years of age. He was the youngest of three sons of Mr. and Mrs. C.B. Griffin, early day Hawarden residents. His father for many years was engaged as a carpenter and contractor in the days when the building industry flourished here. The home on the bank of Dry Creek, now owned and occupied by John A. Keehn and family, was for many years the Griffin family home. Ralph was born in Hawarden and attended the public schools here. He was always a hustler. As a little fellow he sold newspapers on the street and operated a pop-corn stand. He was employed for some time in the old L.L. Harlan drug store. He was never idle. While still in his teens, about thirty years ago, he decided to go west and grow up with the country. He landed in Portland and in a short time had acquired a large pop-corn wagon at a prominent corner in that city and rapidly expanded this business until he became known as Portland’s “pop-corn-king.”He then entered the restaurant business in that city and met with marked success, accumulating a competence sufficient so that he was planning to retire from active business and devote his time to his investments. But his life was cut short while on the very threshold of the goal which he long sought to achieve.

He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth “Bessie” Schilling Griffin; His parents passed away many years ago and his oldest brother, Will Griffin preceded him in death about five years ago. The other brother, Rae Griffin, also of Portland, survives him.

Note: His parents were Charles B.Griffin and Agnes R Finlay