The New York herald., 1872-12-23
OBITUARY.
DR.. Patrick Joseph Griffin.
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Z, Drs Patrick Joseph Grtmns
DR.. Patrick Joseph Griffin last surviving brother
ofGerald Griffin. the Irish poet. dramatist and nov
elist died at the residence OF his nephew, william
r. White, near Watsonville Cal on the 18th inst,
at the age OF seventy-ve years. The brothers were
born at romantic spot called Fairy Lawn, on the
banks Of the shannon, county Limerick, Ireland,
and to this fact is attributed the deep impressions
OF natural beauty which are SO prominently dis
played in Gerald's writings The brothers were
fortunate in the possession Of a mother tender,
intellectual and well educated, and she helped her
young sons, each Of whom obtained distinction in
the expansion and strengthening of their minds.
DR.. Grimm emigrated with his father and mother
TO the United States In 1890 and tiled in charm
ing valley In Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania
Gerald and other members OF the family remained
In Ireland. The deceased, being a highly educated
man and fine classical scholar, could not content
himself In that then sparsely inhabited district
He went to Philadelphia to study medicine, a pro-
afessi0n In which two OF his brothers had already
attained distinction, and graduated in the Pennsy
v8nia Medical University with high h0nors. DIR.
Grimm married On accomplished lady and left for
the Southern States, where in the successful prac-
tise Of his profession lie three times realized large
fortunes and lost them in speculation. He went to
California IN 1850, and after amassing moderate
fortune he settled down with mis- family short dis
lance south OF the Santa Clara Valley, the garden
spot Of the Golden State: Like al the members Of
could be seen to the last every m0gning OF the
year, Winter and summer, vending MS way to the
adobe church, erected by the early missionaries.
to attend divine service.
With the death of DR.. Griffin the last male repre-.
sentative OF the family, 1t Is believed has tlisap-
peared. But the name of Gerald will always
occupy prominent place among the best OF Irish
writer's. He was poet true to nature-material
snd spiritual nature-tender, melOdtous and
lyrical, and in portrayng the domestic affections
was master hand His life was sad one and he
died at early age. Gerald Griffin, at the age OF
eighteen, produced tragedy called "Aguirre,n
founded upon Spanish story, which, on being
examined by his brother Patrick, excited wonder,
his family having had no previous intimation OF
his labors. Gerald tried his fortune In London,
where he suffered the heaviest privations 10y cold
and hunger. Here he produced .'Gisslpus," which
was put on the stage at Drury Lane by Macready
one OF the marvels OF youtnfnl literary efforts and
At still holds place among standard historic works.
1.-THE Collcgans'' is the story with which Gcrald's
name Is most closely connected 1t Is tale Of deep,
or It's realty. and wrought out with great power.
It has been dramatizcd on several OCCASIONS and
there are many who may not be aware that the
s,COlleen Bawnn Is taken wholly from poor Grifiln's
"Collegians:n His other works were "The In.
sTales OF the Munster Festivals" Tired Of the
worlds vanity by unmerited neglect and disap-
continent, and after burning all his manuscripts,
he Joined the Christian Brothers and died at the
North Monastery, Cork, in June, lS40 at the age Of
cemetery, with the simple inscription, "Brother
Gerald Grimm y marks tue spot where he lies. Dr.
Grif1n, who died on the 18th inst, lived over half
century in the United Statcs-a sholt portion OF
diate relatives of the family who have reached
positions OF prominence at the bar and IN politics
In this city, among them nephew OF deceased,
Judge White, formerly OF the Superior Court