| Notes |
- Written by her sister, Elizabeth Trullinger Oliphant, in 1984
FRANCES LOUISE, February 11, 1902
Frances was having a struggle in High School. Her interests were not in the history books or mathematical tables. Mother and Father had wished her to attend Annie Wright's Seminary, in Tacoma, Washington, which was rightly regarded as a school of refined culture for girls of good families. At one time, she was enthusiastic about the idea, but changed her mind. She finished high school at Queen Ann High and enrolled at a Seattle Business College.
Being of marriageable age, Frances had several suitors. All very fine young men and well accepted by Mother and Father. Her association with these men originated at the Baptist Church where they enjoyed a very active social program.
One of her young admirers, Jimmy Gathings, was a charming boy from the deep South. He courted her with a weekly box of bitter-sweet chocolates. The rest of the family urged Frances to suggest a change as we much preferred the sweeter chocolate. But, no, "No Box" brand continued to arrive.
The young gentleman Frances finally met and fell in love with was John Hugh Griffith (Jack). Of Welch decent, he and his brother, Stanley, migrated West with their mother from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Jack was a fine looking Welshman with a great sense-of-humor. We all admired him.
Frances was at this time working in the lingerie department of the Bon Marché, a Seattle department store. She was very fond of lovely clothes and spent most of her money or salary to replenish her wardrobe. How I admired her lovely things and often waited many months for her hand-me-downs.
Due to her training in high school, Frances was a fine seamstress. She made her own graduation dress of white chiffon. It was exquisite.
Frances and Jack were married on September 19, 1922. It was a beautiful wedding. How important I felt as Maid-Of-Honor, in my picture hat and gown of orchid. The reception was held at our home on Queen Ann Hill. They honeymooned in Seaside, Oregon.
From this union were born three boys. John Fox Griffith, 12/17/25, Robert Dale Griffith, 3/6/33 and William Frederick Griffith, 8/17/42.
At the time of their wedding, Jack was employed by the Seattle Hardware Company. When their first child was only a few years old, our father, Fred Trullinger, purchased the Portland Seed Company in Portland, Oregon. John was persuaded to join him in an effort to rebuild the defunct business.
They rented a modest home in Portland on 57th Street. Not large, but adequate for a couple with one child.
After the Portland Seed Company became financially established, Frances and Jack purchased property in Eastmoreland, an affluent area in Portland. It was a beautiful piece of property along Johnson Creek. Lovely and expensive homes lined the street of Crystal Springs Boulevard.
The Griffith home, "which Jack built" was one of the finest on the boulevard. Jack, having worked many years with a building supply company, knew quality, so demanded the finest in merchandise and workmanship.
The Griffith family enjoyed many years in this environment. The boys attended local schools and Frances, the local social activities. Jack was a great asset to my father, working in the capacity of Buyer of supplies, etc. A quiet, trustworthy man, always a twinkle in his eyes, and a ready chuckle of inner merriment.
Their first son, John Fox Griffith "Jack", received his college degree from Reed College in Portland, Oregon. A highly credited college responsible for many Rhodes Scholars.
Jack's education was delayed by the advent of World War II. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy. Aside from his duties in the service, he accepted the many academic privileges offered him. He eventually earned his Master's and Doctorate degrees.
At the completion of the war, John Fox married Mary Filion, a beautiful blond student at Reed College. They eventually left Portland for Cincinnati, Ohio were Jack became head of the Biochemistry Department of Proctor & Gamble.
Robert Dale, the second son of Frances and Jack Griffith,
was born in Portland on March 6, 1933. Young Bob attended Rose City School the first two years and then transferred to Duniway when his parents moved to Crystal Springs Boulevard. After four years at Washington High, he registered at Oregon State seeking a degree in Business.
After two years of academic work (1952), Bob joined the Air Force and served three years in Houston, Texas. Houston was a desolate part of our country then, where the monotony of drilling, marching and shooting became unbearable. It was with some relief when he was shipped to France for one year of active duty.
France had suffered as a nation during WWII. For the people, there was desolation and hunger. The weather could be cold, very cold and Bob wrote home complaining of the extreme weather conditions and wondered if he would ever feel warm and comfortable again.
Transportation for the enlisted boys was non-existent but Bob often, on a weekend, explored the surrounding countryside on a bicycle. This diversion gave him an opportunity to mingle with the local inhabitants.
Upon returning home, Bob went to work for the Portland Seed Company. He then met and married Sally Dodge, February 15, 1958. From. this union were born three children: John Hugh Griffith, born August 7, 1959, Sally Ann Griffith, born April 15, 1961, and Teri Lynne, born May 2, 1964.
Shortly after their son's birth, the family was transferred to Spokane, Washington. The Portland Seed Company had recently purchased the Inland Seed Company and needed Bob's experience in building a strong company in this fertile field. They remained in Spokane for seven years, working with Vernon Wright, the Manager. It was during these seven years that their two girls were born.
On their return to Oregon., they purchased a home in Lake Oswego, overlooking Tryon Creek Park.
The children attended the local schools bringing credit to their parents, scholastically, as well as socially. Sally Ann was selected as Miss "Junior Miss" for the State of Oregon. In the National Contest, she was selected "First Runner-Up."
Sally furthered her education at the University of Washington in Seattle. During her second year, she met and married David Salaro. As of this date: 1984, they have two sons, Nickolas Anthony and Matthew David.
Teri Lynne, their second daughter, is also a very attractive young lady. She was selected Homecoming Queen during her sophomore year at Lake Oswego High. She is now studying at the University of Oregon in Eugene, Oregon.
John Hugh Griffith, their only son, is as handsome as his sisters are beautiful. He is employed by the Chas. H. Lilly Company. On September 3, 1983, he was married to Brenda Stumm King, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Louis Stack King, Jr. of Lake Oswego, Oregon.
Bill, the third son of Frances and John Griffith, was born August 17, 1942. They now had a Jack,a Bob and a Bill, all strong names.
Bill was only eight years of age when his father passed away in 1950. Jack Griffith's untimely death was the result of a ruptured hernia. He had been subjected to two hernia operations. This warm beautiful man was taken from his family at the young age of 47 years.
After his death, Frances and Bill were left alone in this spacious home on Crystal Springs Boulevard. Young Bill was given many responsibilities far beyond his tender age. He checked all doors at night to secure the house against intruders, and became his mother's guide when she ventured out in the car.
Several years after Jack's passing, Frances met and married a man named Erwin Hahn, a resident of East Moreland and employed in the Trust Department of the First National Bank in Portland. Their marriage was a short and unhappy affair, ending in divorce.
Eventually, Frances sold her East Moreland home, purchasing a lovely, smaller home in Lake Oswego.
Bill, during this transition period, had grown into a reliable young man. He completed his education at Portland State College after previous work at Oregon State College. Shortly after completing his academic studies, he was married to Dianne Lorraine Hamilton.
Bill and Dianne have a lovely home on the shore of Lake Washington, on Mercer Island. Bill is involved in community work and contributes much input to the Chamber of Commerce Relations League.
Bill has matured in the seed business. He now manages the Seattle Office of the Chas. H. Lilly Company which manufactures some and distributes all garden products sold under the Lilly-Miller label.
Their great love of sports finds the family skiing on the slopes of Mt. Rainier, sailing in their boat on Puget Sound, swimming in Lake Washington, or engaging in land sports such as cross country running, track, soccer, etc.
The Bill Griffith family is widely diversified and much fun to be with. Dianne, with her spirited nature, involves her three lovely daughters in a variety of interests. She's also a great cook, so what more could one desire?
Note: At age 49, Dianne Griffith died on Mercer Island, Washington, 1 February 1992. Bill Griffith later remarried Shirley Caraway July 29, 1995.
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1902 - 1969 (67 years)
