William Phillip Griffith

Notes:

The son of David GRIFFITH and Sarah HOTCHKISS. He was a fireman and retired in 1942 from the Youngstown Fire Department.

1. Griffith, William Phillip Rank: FF/SH Approx Time on Department: 1910's-1940's Date of Birth: 1887 Start Date: 4/1/1913 Appt. Ending Date: 10/16/1942 Retired Promotions: FF 4/1/1914. SH 11/8/1917 Date of Death: 1957 Burial Location: Burial Location: Lake Park Cemetery, Youngstown, OH. Cause of Death: Known Addresses: 139 Halls Heights. Liberty, OH. 140 Whitney, 121 LaBelle. Additional Information: FF@No.1 Chem 1910's. Shop 1930's. Married to Mabel L. (1885-1976). Family story: "Grandpa was new on the department and was very nervous about doing the right things. He tried to learn as quickly as he could, followed directions, and took his job and training very seriously. He was assigned to be a truck driver at his station. So he practiced and practiced all of the drills associated with his new position, the pole, the suiting up, speed and accuracy, the whole nine yards. Finally came the opportunity to respond to his first fire as the new engine driver. The alarm went off, and he sprang into action doing everything flawlessly. As he arrived at the fire in record time, he learned that he had only made one mistake. He had left all of the other firefighters back at the station. Shortly after he arrived came the rest of the crew hanging out of the chief's car. Grandpa reportedly received the chewing out that he deserved." Appointed as a cadet firefighter. Born in America. Hose Co.9 @ No.1 1910's.

http://www.youngstownfire.com/genealogy/yffdb.php

Another amusing story about William Griffith was supplied by William Billing of Michigan. It was found an old newspaper, likely taken from the Youngstown Vindicator. The date is unknown. The article is titled, "Premature". " William Griffith, city fireman of Hall Heights Ave., says he refuses to take a hint. In fact, he wants to keep on living for a while yet, even if a local mortician does have his number. One evening last week a florist's truck stopped in front of his place, the driver stepped to the porch and hung a crape on the door! "Goodness sakes!" exclaimed a neighbor. "What on earth has happened to Bill? I didn't know he was even sick." "An accident?" someone remarked. So the neighbors stepped over to extend their sympathy to the bereaved family. "What has happened?" they asked at the door. "Nothing," was the response. "Why the funeral decorations, then?" It wasn't pleasant to find the crape hangers had been busy, but it was all due to a mistake in address.

William married Mabel Laverne Strong on 2 Aug 1910 in Youngstown, Mahoning County, Ohio. Mabel (daughter of Frederick Adelbert Strong and Alberta M. Osborne) was born on 30 Jan 1889 in Bristol Township, Trumbull County, Ohio; died on 27 Sep 1976 in Alliance, Stark County, Ohio; was buried in Lake Park Cemetery, Youngstown, Mahoning County, Ohio. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. William Edward "Red" Griffith was born on 11 May 1912 in Youngstown, Mahoning County, Ohio; died on 25 Jan 1983 in Boynton Beach, Palm Beach County, Florida.
2. Mary Louise Griffith was born on 21 Dec 1913 in Youngstown, Mahoning County, Ohio; died on 9 Jun 1997 in Gaylord, Otsego County, Michigan; was buried in Higgins Cemetery, Roscommon County, Michigan.