Griffith, Jacob Van Buren

Passed: 1927-01-01

Age: 90

Source: Charleston Gazette

Death Notice:

Obituary Date: 1927-01-04

Information: JACOB VAN BUREN GRIFFITH - PROBABLY OLDEST RESIDENT OF DUNBAR DIED LAST SATURDAY - Jacob Van Buren Griffith, father of W. E. Griffith of Dunbar, with whom he had made his home for the past ten years, died last Saturday at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Mollie Lanham, at Kenna, Jackson county where he had gone on a visit a few weeks previously.       Mr. Griffith was born on April 26, 1836 in what is now Greenbrier county in this state, but at that time included in Botetourt county, Virginia, and celebrated his 90th birthday last April.  At the outbreak of the civil war he enlisted and served during the continuance of hostilities in the confederate army; his only surviving brother, Rev. J. W. Griffith, who was here for the funeral, having served in the union army.     Mr. Griffith was a familiar figure in Dunbar, having retained his vigor in an unusual degree until within the last few weeks, when he commenced to fail gradually, and expressed a wish to pay another visit to his old home in Jackson county, with his daughter, who occupies the old homestead and where he continued to grow weaker until the end came peacefully in his sleep last Saturday, apparently from no cause beyond the natural debility incident to his advanced age, no complaint of illness having been made by him during his last days.  Funeral services were held on Monday, and his remains laid by in the family cemetery at Kenna by the side of his wife whose death occurred some years ago.      Mr. Griffith is survived by four daughters, Mrs. Maggie McGinn of Chicago, Mrs. Mollie Lanham of Kenna, Mrs. J. H. Garrett of Dunbar, and Mrs. Ida Winter of Akron, Ohio and four sons, J. T. Griffith of Kenna, W. E. Griffith of Dunbar, O. E. Griffith of Ambridge, Pa. and D. A. Griffith of Charleston.  Another daughter, Mrs. Annie Edens, of Browning, Mo. died in 1917.  Thirty seven grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren are also among the surviving members of his immediate family.