The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1894-01-19
~ NIH0RIiH.
Nm. WILLIAM oRrrrrs.

from the Walks OF men into tne presence OF
God. This was the end Of a very long and
intensely active. q signally useful and a
markedly successful life. He was born In
Burke county, Georgia. on the I'd day of
October, 1900 hence. at the time Of his
death. he was " yeas. D months and one day
old. Unto him was fulfilled the divine prom
Use. with long life will I satisfy him and
will show him my salvation" His parents
moved to Mississippi when he was quite
young. lie wa reared In Perry county.
where he married Miss Mary Carter, with
he lived in great happiness until Ave
years N God took her unit" Himself. Of
this union nine children were horn, Ave OF
them are still living, -four preceded their pa
rents Into the joyous realms Of eternal life.
In lSA, MIR Grimm Moved to Moss Point.
and actively engaged In the saw mill busl-
ness. Here .seontinuously lived during the
remaining forty years of his busy life. con-
tributing constantly and largely. BY untiring
labors, and by liberal outlay Of means, to
the development Of the business, education-
al, social and religious interests OF the COM
munity. His influence was potential In
shaping the history. and enlarging the life
of the. town. The magic touch Of his life Il
still felt, and will long remain Ms an active
force In all the circles In which he occupied.
for so nan years, u conspicuous and honor
ed position. There were many points In Mr..
Grifin's character worthy Of special men
tion.
lie was well informed. His intellectual
endowment was exceptionally good. II he
had been favored with careful training In
the schools in his boyhood years. he would.
without doubt, have attained great promi-
nence among men. His parents were poor,
and schools were exceedingly scarce, cOnse-
qucntly he was deprived Of the early school
advantages SO necessary to uniform aud
high development Of the intellectual fncul-
ties. But he had o strong desire for knowl-
edge. and read much. His reading was char
acterized not so much by extenslvencss as
by thoroughness and th0ughtfulness. lie
digested well what he read. lie read not SC
much for the pleasure Of reading Us 10 nc.
Quire helpful information. lie was particu.
larry well informed concerning the men and
political measures that have been prominent.
ly before the public during the past sixty
years. A Wing by profound conviction, h.
was actively identified with that party unit
the late war. The people of Perry count,
recognized his superior ability and elcctet
him us their Representative in the Stat.
Legislature. Later, he was q member Of tn,
famous Shnrkey convention. These posi-
lions he filed with credit to himself md hi
constituency.
Mr.. Griffin possessed rare social qualities
He was pre-cminently social by natural in
clination, and had cultivated and developed
this In his constant contact with men. IL
loved men, ind men loved him.. His cIrcl
Of friends was extensive. His home was al
ways open to them, where they were the re
clpients Of unstlnted and generous hospital
ity. lie was particularly fond Of the s0ciet.
and dearly cherished the friendship Of min
listers Of the gospel. Many Of them, Of all de
nominations. have been honored guests Ii
his hospitable home.
He was II very successful business mar
His father died when he IA quite n boy
when he was thrown upon his W
: This early and hard contact with the worl
made him 0bscryant, and developed superiC
practical business sense. He had a quic
eye to discover good opportunities for mal
Ing money, and rapidly formulated and ext
: cuted business plans. He was phenomenal
successful In Ills enterprises. lie succcede
in Almost everything In which he engage
He rapidly acquired property. and at the Of
| ening Of the war was quito a wealthy a
Mr.. Griffin Joined the Methodist Church ul
der the ministry of Rev. Benjamin joni
about seventeen years ago. lie was b
I the advanced age Of 70. At the beginning !
realized the fact that almost insurmountabl
obstacles confronted him. The delay Of 1
| Holy Spirit and sinful habits so strongly ia.
: tened upon him stood between him and hea,
i, en-. But he threw himself upon the grace
God. and made an heroic struggle. His mo-
\ al and religious strength grew with h
growth of years. He came to hate with
perfect hatred those vices which dominate
and shattered his life before conversion. Il
. greatly sorrowcd over his not having soons
given his heart and life to God. lie loved IL
r church and gave cheerfully and literally
y support all its institutions. He loved Il
bible and was eager TO the last day OF b
life to have Its precious truths and promis
e OF life read to him. A week before his deaf
' he said to his pastor, 1T Is all right with m
l am not afraid to die" The day before Il
X end came, In answer to q question concernir
S his religious experienced, he said 'Ihave
blessed hope Of n better life when this shu
. close"
The funeral services were conducted
the pastor, In the Methodist Church, In II
presence Of a very large congregation. tt
large church was filled to overaowing vii
people who had loved and honorcd the d
) ceased In life, and gathered to show the
sorrow ut his death,
al T. W. ADAMS.
al Moss Point, Miss. Jan. 10. 1894.