The Washington herald., 1908-07-20
Assessor GRIFFIN
YIELDS TO DEATH
In Service Of the District
More Than Thirty Years.
HAD BEEN Ill MANY MONTHS
Although Confined to His Room
Since Last March, He Kept in Close
Touch with HIS office Almost to
the Last-FuneraI Services VIII BE
Held Tomorrow Afternoon.

Edwin Wesley Wallace Griffin. assessor
Of the District Of Columbia. died al his
residence, 172l First street northwest,
yesterday morning after a prolonged ill
ness.
Although he had enjoy~d excellent
health for many years and had never
been absent from his official duties on
sick leave. Mr. Griffin had been rapidly
failing since March last Death was due
TO a complication Of dropsy and Brights
disease
His wife and two sons, E Percy Grit
fin and H. Clifford Griffin. were present
when the end came yesterday. at s.S9
o'clock
Probably no other man in the District
service knew as much OF the intricacies
of the local government as 8Ir- Griffin
Entering the service Of the District under
Gov. Shepherd. Mr.. Griffin steadily forged
70 the front. and at the time Of his death
occupied the highest post in the de-
partment TO which he had given more
than thirty years Of his life
Native of Georgetown.
He was born in Georgetown. November
Is, 1S95. and received his education az
Georgetown College. Although the young
est member Of the family. he manifested
talents that led his parents 10 crafty
his desire 10 enter technical life. After
serving his apprenticeship. he entered the
Patent Office, and soon became chief
craftsman This position he held for
four or I'VE years
Mr Griffin entered the service OF the
District government March q. 1876. as a
clerk in the assessors Office. al s. q day
Before a year had elapsed he was trans
ferred 20 the District treasurer's Office.
and was given a promotion AT a salary Of
500 a month on July I. 1873. Two years
later he earned another promotion by
his assiduous work and was placed upon
the annual roll al a compensation OF
si.itj a year.
Before finally settling In the service
of the assessors Office he changed posi-
tons several times although ne chung
steadily 20 the service Of the District.
During the fiscal year beginning July I.
lSS-. he was clerk for the collector Of
taxes At the end OF that term he OBJ
tained a cIerkship authorized by the act
OF March 8. lss5. and entered the as
SCISSORS Office. lie was given the respon-
sible position Of assistant assessor. at
$3.50 "a year. on April !. 1881 and the next
year was raised 90 a salary Of 80 and
assigned 10 act as one Of the members
Of the excise board
Made Assessor I'm 1906.
For a short time in 1872 Mr. Griffin was
acting assessor, but his final promotion 10
this post came October J. 1895. the ad-
vancement in Office taking effect January
1. 1871. when Mr- Darneiue resigned
Few men we're better posted on the
intricacies Of the conduct Of the District
government than Air- Grifn, and he was
regarded by all as a capable public ser
want. II is said he never sought hoIi-
day from his duties. other than the regu-
lar annual leave. in AL Of his service un-
der the local government The faithful
and conscientious performance CT his OFF,
ciaI duties earned for him the respect
not only Of his superior officials. but
many citizens came 90 regard hirn as an
earnest worker.
Until attacked BY the ailment which
caused his death, Mr.. Grifin had enjoyed
excellent health. In fact. lie was never
absent from his desk on sick leave.
Il was in November last that the as
SCISSOR was first compelled TO leave his
Office because Of sickness. but he reC0v-
cred partially within a few weeks. and
again returned 10 his post
When he felt his health was failing he
designated Benjamin r. Adams, assistant
assessor. 20 act in his stead In all rou-
tine matters occurring in that ONCE.
When he was forced TO his bed in March,
Mr.. Adams formally took charge Of the
position as assessor
kent in Touch with Office.
Notwithstanding his weakened condi-
supervision in all matters Of an imp0r-
tant character. The supervision Of the
assessors division continued even until
the first OF the present month. and all
communications Of any consequence up
TO that time bore his signature.
Mr.. Adams frequently took documents
TO his chiefs residence and consulted
him on matters requiring final direc-
tons
Although he had never viewed the new
Municipal Building. the assessor often ex-
pressed a desire 70 inspect the structure,
and. IN fact, evinced a lively interest in
the selection Of the furniture designed
for the assessors Office IL is said one
Of the greatest sorr0Ws Of Mr. Grifin's
adcA lDAEE was L4adL ne QlQ HOL i've 10 see
the new assessors Office and ali OF the
other departments in operation al the
new home of the District government in
Pennsylvania avenue.
Funeral Tomorrow Afternoon.
Funeral services viii be held tomorrow
afternoon at ? O'Clock from the family
residence. and viii be in charge Of Pen
talpha Lodge, no. . Free and Accepted
Mssous. Mr.. Griffin was a charter mem
Der Of this lodge. and was also a member
Of Washington Commandery. No. !. |
Knights Templars-
Rev. r. P. Williams. rector Of the Trim I
ity Episcopal Church. viii read the final
prayers at the house. Interment will be
in Mount Olivet Cemetery.
In expressing his sOrrow at the death
Of Assessor Griffin yesterday. Commis-
sioner West said; Il have learned with
deep regret Of the death Of Mr.. Griffin
He had been identified with the District
government for considerably more than
a quarter Of a century, during which
time he has always been a conscientious
and capable official, and a man Of recog-
nized integrity He had given the best
years of his life to the service OF the
District and his loss comes as a matter
OF keen personal regret to all who have
been associated with him in the District
government