Griff Jones

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Biography

From the book Keeping Up With The Joneses ^[1]

GRIFF—Willie Griff as he was known in his childhood arrived in the morning of May 9, 1914 in the old home at Bryn Ceiriog, no doctor in attendance but undoubtedly adept help in the persons of Nain James and Mrs. Hughes (store). William, as he was called by his first teacher Anton Bures, May, 1922, did fairly well in school. By the new term, September 1922, he was in Grade 3 with R. W. Harrison a man who "preached" thinking. In 1929 after successfully completing Grade 9, Griff, as he came to be called, left Magic. The young fellow suffered a severe bout with pneumonia in 1929 and did not attempt to continue school. However, in the fall of 1930 he enrolled in a five-months farm course at Calgary Tech. now N.A. I. T. It was a good experience for him in many ways, and he progressed well through the glasses of blacksmithing,' carpentry, motor mechanics and learning to mix with others most of whom were strangers.^[2][3][4]

As 1930-31 ushered in the great depression of the 30's, formal education ame to an abrupt halt and •the practical avenues of learning were pursued. Looking back with older eyes, it must be admitted that although money was scarce, there were opportunities galore to learn how to make do, and get along with very little. A depression, if not too severe is not all bad.

By 1934 Griff had a few farming enterprises of his own and recalls selling his first fat pigs for $2.95 each. That was the cheapest.

About that time Edwin and Griff became interested in radios. The two boys often visited Maldy and Gron's home where there was a radio and had been since 1923. History repeats itself. In 1955 before Pat and Griff had a TV set, Ian would tear down to Terry and Trevor’s home (same place) to watch TV, but different programs.

Following a mine disaster in Nova Scotia in 1936, when hourly bulletins were broadcast, Dad and Mom became real interested in radio. Then a good set was purchased after getting along with old and secondhand ones for a few years. Griff's interest in radios continued, and in the late 30's, while a bachelor he actually traded a cow for a new radio, one of the first portables. This he carried to the barn at milking time, supposed to encourage more milk by the bossies.

In June of 1943 Griff left bachelor hood and married Patricia MacDonald of Ponoka. He had met her at church young peoples meetings when town young people often held gatherings with the country young people. Pat and Griff had purchased the "store property" from Mr. and Mrs. B. Whitehead in 1942 and in November of 1943 set up their own household. It has continued to be their home. Three children came to bless this home, Lillian in 1945; Marilyn, 1949, Ian, 1951. It didn't seem long until they were grown up, through school and on their own. After much coaching and encouragement from his Dad and Mom through his younger years, Griff acquired an interest and flair for writing, poetry and pro se. This has continued in varying degrees and levels and a few ar ticles and poems have made publication. Griff was given a camera by Pat in 1957 and this aroused a new interest, photography. This bent has also continued in varying successes.

In November of 1955 Griff went into the employment of the Ponoka Herald, a weekly newspaper. This full time job and farming made for a busy decade. After about 10 years of dashing here and there, farming operations were decreased and continued to be cut down as Griff's health was affected by a lung condition. The old farm, Bryn Ceiriog which had been bought from the folks was sold to Marilyn and Vic Almond in 1972 and Griff's farming was down to four acres, but fulltime work was maintained at the Herald.

Partial retirement in 1977 cut the town time to three days a week, and a further reduction in 1979 brought the time down to Mondays only, which it is until July of 1981. All of the pensions came through in 1979. Following overseas trips in 1974 and 1978, and an extensive cross Canada truck and camper trip in 1977, money by way of wages and pensions quickly disappears, and a bit of work is good - at least that's what everyone says.

Over the years, both before and after marriage Griff has taken¯part in all church activities. He played the old pump organ for church services for a year or so in the late 40's. He has also served in the board for festivals and Gymanfa Ganu. In recent years he has chaired the wheel chåir van society and the Welsh Society, also based in Ponoka.

Note from Ian:

Dad passed away 3 February 1983 after a long battle with Emphysema. Although the disease was very debilitating and he spent many years on oxygen, he never let it curb his enthusiasm for life and the joy of spending time with family and friends. He is buried in the zion Christian Fellowship Cemetery in Wood River.^[5]

Biography from the funeral service, February 8, 1983:

William Griffith Jones was born on his parents farm, Bryn Ceiriog, in the Ponoka area on May 9, 1914 and died on February 3, 1983. He was the second of four children born to John Richard Jones and Alice Mary Jones. Griff attended Magic school and Calgary Technical school. He always supported Zion Church, taught Sunday School for many years and helped in various ways.

He was married on June 27, 1943 to Patricia MacDonald and they had three children: Lillian, Marilyn and Ian Ceiriog.

Griff farmed for several years, and later was employed by the Ponoka Herald for 26 years. He liked poetry and photography and pursued both hobbies. He was interested in music and took an active part in the Wood River Festival. The Covered Wagon Society was a special priority. He was also a member of the Ponoka Welsh Society and the United Church A.O.T.S.

Sources

1. ↑ Keeping Up With The Joneses, researched and compiled by W. Griff Jones in 1983.
2. ↑ "Canada Census, 1916," William Griffith Jones in the household of John R Jones, Alberta (http://data2.collectionscanada.ca/006003/t-21954/pdf/31228_4363983-00620.pdf)
3. ↑ "Canada Census, 1921," William Griffith Jones in the household of John R Jones, Water Glen, Strathcona, Alberta (http://central.bac-lac.gc.ca/.item/?app=Census1921&op=img&id=e002864543)
4. ↑ "Canada Census, 1926," Griffith Jones in the household of John R Jones, Alberta (http://central.bac-lac.gc.ca/.item/?app=census1926&op=pdf&id=e011266480)
5. ↑ Find A Grave: Memorial #91480189

• Personal knowledge of immediate descendant - Ian Jones.

Acknowledgements

• "Family Tree," database, FamilySearch (http://familysearch.org : modified 18 June 2018, 20:43), entry for William Griffith Jones(PID https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/4:1:MV8L-YM1); contributed by various users.
• Information obtained from the book 'Cape Breton To Alberta' researched and compiled by M. Patricia Jones and W. Griff Jones in 1979.