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Elizabeth “Bess” Griffith Barhite (1890-1955)

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Elizabeth "Bess" Griffith Barhite (1890-1955)
(Mrs. Ceylon Barhite)

The following portion of an unidentified newspaper article was found in a scrapbook owned by Town Historian Richard Schmal:
    Services Easter Sunday marked the passing of Elizabeth Griffith Barhite, 64, whose death came April 7 in Presbyterian hospital, Chicago. She had been in failing health for several months.

    Born in Dover, Delaware, August 13, 1890, Bess came as a small child to Lowell community with her parents, Isaac and Emma Griffith. Educated in the Lowell school, she late taught in the elementary grades there. She married Ceylon Barhite of West Creek township June 25, 1913, and until his death September . . . [The rest of the article is missing from this point.]

The following April 14, 1955, Lowell Tribune article appeared on page 7, column 2:

    SERVICE HELD EASTER SUNDAY FOR ELIZABETH GRIFFITH BARHITE

    Elizabeth Griffith Barhite, only child of Isaac and Emma Griffith, was born in Dover, Delaware, August 13, 1890, and as a small child she came with her parents to the Lowell community.

    Bess, as she was familiarly known, attended school and grew to womanhood here and later taught in the elementary grades of the Lowell school. On June 25, 1913, she was married to Ceylon Barhite of West Creek township and they lived in the old Bailey homestead until his death September 28, 1936. Soon after, Bess took a business course and made preparation for a new line of work. For the past several years she has served as a matron and executive secretary to the Eleanor Clubs in Chicago.

    Bess had been in failing health for the past few months. On Mar. 19th she again entered Presbyterian hospital in Chicago, where she passed away April 7, 1955.

    During her lifetime she took an active interest in many civic and local projects and served as president of Lake County Federation of Woman's Clubs.

    She faced life bravely and squarely and while she leaves no immediate family, she will be missed by many.

    Memorial services were held at 2 p.m. Easter Sunday, April 10, in the Sheets Funeral Home with Rev. E.L. Worley officiating. Interment was made in the West Creek cemetery.

Last updated on April 24, 2008.

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