Georgia and Georgians - the Digital Library of Georgia

GEORGIA AND GEORGIANS 2925wealth or influential friends, as "self-made." Such a one is Hon. DavidEdward Griffin, who started out'in life with nothing saVe his determinationand inherent resource to aid him in his quest for success. That his ambitionshave been realized is made evident by the fact that he is one of the leadinglegists of Ben Hill County, and a man who has been the incumbent of important positions of public trust in which he has gained an honorable name anddistinguished standing. .Judge Griffin was bprn at Buljo, Ohio, October 15,' 1882, and is a sonof Dr. J. K. and Susan C. (May)" Griffin, natives of Illinois. From Illinoisthe family moved to Ohio, seeking a climate favorable to Mrs. Griffin's health,and from that state to Kansas, then to Arkansas, back to Illinois, and finallyto Georgia, where her health was completely recovered. She still survives,at the age of sixty-three years, and makes her home with her son, JudgeGriffin, at Fitzgerald. Dr. J. K. Griffin was a well known and able physicianand surgeon, and was in continuous practice for a period of twenty-two years.During the Civil war he fought as a soldier of the Union in an Illinois volunteerinfantry regiment, and during the hard life of the soldier, during which hewas often compelled to sleep in swamps, he contracted diseases which developed into paralysis, and to which he finally succumbed at Fitzgerald,September 7, 1904, aged fifty-seven years, seven months, eighteen days. Therewere eight children in the family, of whom six are living: James A., apracticing attorney of Cordele, Georgia; Julius C., of Nashville, Tennessee;Mrs. May Harrod, of Jacksonville, Florida; David Edward; Mrs. J. P.Manning, of Fitzgerald, Georgia; and Gilbert, of Cleveland, Ohio.David Edward Griffin received his education in the public schools of thevarious communities in which the family was residing during the time hismother was endeavorng to recover her lost health, and thus his training alongeducational lines was frequently interrupted. He was studious and persevering, however, making use of every opportunity that presented itself and taking every advantage to study at home, graduating from the Fitzgerald HighSchool in 1902. Finally, he entered Mercer University, Georgia, where he wasgraduated in law in 1904 with honors. Although he was admitted to the barat that time, he did not enter active practice, but instead took up the workof an educator, and for six terms taught in the rural districts of Ben Hill,Irving, Crisp and Dooly counties, and became one of the best known andmost popular instructors of these localities. In 1910 Judge Griffin enteredactive practice, taking up his residence and opening an office at Fitzgerald,where he has since been located." From the start his practice was an importantone, and as time has passed it has grown both in scope and importance, untilhe ia now justly accounted one of, the leading practitioners of the Ben HillCounty bar. He is thoroughly versed in every branch of the law, and, beingat home in all departments, recognizes no specialty. During his residence atFitzgerald he has frequently been called upon to fill offices of public trust,in which he has conducted himself in a manner highly creditable to himselfand of lasting benefit to the community. For two terms he served as judge ofthe city court of Fitzgerald. He was also ordinary for five months while theincumbent judge was ill, and at various times has filled other offices. JudgeGriffin holds membership in the State Bar Association, and bears an excellentreputation among the members of his profession as well as in the confidenceof the public. With his family, he attends the Methodist Episcopal Church.Judge Griffin was married at Greenfield, Indiana, to Miss Mayme Cornstock,daughter of Dr. J. A. Comstock, a well known physician of that city.Mrs. Griffin died without issue, living but five months after marriage.Vol. VI —10