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1826-1911 Passing of a Pioneer Thomas Box Griffitts was born in Lexington, KY., Aug 26, 1826. In 1834 he came with his parents to Illinois and settled in Green County. In 1835 he came to Hancock County with his parents and located in Carthage. They drove through with ox teams and his first vision of Carthage was not very inspiring. There were but seven houses in the town and a vast mud hole or swamp existed where the court house and north side business houses now stand. At the building of the first court house, recently demolished, he assisted in its construction. In 1853 he was married to Rachel Waddell. To this union seven children were born. John who died in Texas in 1893, Charles, died in infancy, Mrs. Addie Blair, of this city, Mrs. Mina Roberts, of Isabella, Kas., Judge T. C. Griffitts, who died in Spokane in 1900, Douglas of Spokane, and Benj. F., of St. Louis. Mrs. Griffitts died in 1864 and in 1869 Mr. Griffitts was again married to Miss Maggie McCants who survives. Mr. Griffitts served one year in the Mexican War. Probably his most exciting experience was as a member of the Carthage Greys. He was one of the number who stood guard over the old jail during the imprisonment of the Smiths. He stood with his company and saw the mob come out of the woods and capture the jail. They were overwhelmed in number. He relates many interesting incidents of the troublous times in the 40's--of which he was a sometimes active participant. His life, withal, moved long in peaceful and uneventful lines. He was a man who said little and rarely took an active part in public affairs. He served for a half century as constable and deputy sheriff and in some other civic or municipal office. He was a member of the order of Odd Fellows and a democrat. He was a quite, unostentatious citizen who shunned notoriety but did his duty as he saw it. Mr. Griffitts quietly passed away at his home is this city, Monday, Jan. 23, 1911, at 9:45 p.m, aged nearly 85 years. The funeral will be held from the late residence today, Wednesday, at 2 p.m. Burial at Moss Ridge, Rev. W.W. Denham officiating. The Carthage Republican, January 25, 1911, pg. 4, col. 3 & 4. | Site Map | Aaron Griffitts | Home | |