| Missouri, Paradise E. P. Griffin Druggist Paradise Missouri {etched} {T3} C1502 |
| 1910 Census: Edward P Griffin Age in 1910: 52 Birth Year: abt 1858 Birthplace: Maryland Home in 1910: Platte, Clay, Missouri Relation to Head of House: Head Spouse's Name: Melvina P Griffin Father's Birthplace: Maryland Mother's Birthplace: Maryland Occupation: Merchant Industry: General Store Household Members: Name Age Head: Edward P Griffin 52 Sp[ouse: Melvina P Griffin 41 Son: Walter W Griffin 16 Daughter: Francis A Griffin 7 |
| 1938: The Midwestern Druggist Volume 14 - Page 46 E. P. GRIFFIN, 81 years old, died at his home in Paradise, Mo., July 28. He operated a drug store in Paradise for many years. Mr. Griffin came to Missouri from Maryland in 1882. He entered the general merchandising business |
| In 1916 Jake Douglas, built a Picture House and in the basement of this building, his brothers Arthur and Elmer Meeks operated a garage. Mr. E. P. Griffin eventually owned a drug store, as well as a grocery-general store, and was an influential part of the Paradise Bank. Paradise has had five school houses. The first building was a small one room made of logs and built in 1851. Miss Missouri Wood, who later married Ed Tinney was the first teacher. The second school was the Garner school, and Miss Sue Wilhoit the teacher. In 1886, a two room frame school was built on land gived (given) by Fleming Dale. A grand daughter, Miss Jean Dale taught here. Mr. E. P. Griffin was the first teacher and Mr. J. W. Oliver was one of the many teachers. In 1928 the present school house was constructed of brick. Mrs. Earl Breckenridge was one of the many teachers. It was consolidated with the Smithville school system in 1963. Many doctors are believed to have administered to the Paradise ill beginning with Dr. Jordan, Dr. Stevens, Dr. Van Hook, Dr. "hunky" Lawrence. Dr. Records, Dr. Woots, later, Dr. John and Tip Rice and last, Dr. Rupe, who brought most of the present day Paradise citizens into this world. In 1910. The Burdette Addition, which comprises most of the southern and southwestern portions of Paradise, was platted; the I.O.O.F. Annex was completed, and Paradise was a booming town. In 1926 H. H. Halferty and E. P. Griffin owned a general store. Mr. Griffin passed away in 1939 and his son-in-law, H. H. Halferty continued with the business. |
| Paradise was first known as "Gosneyville" In 1884, the first post office commenced service with mail delivery by wagon or horseback from Smithville. At this time Gosneyville was renamed. There are several stories as to HOW and WHY this was done. Two of these tales are: 1. The belief that a Gosneyville was previously registered with the government, thus necessitating the choice of a different name for the new post office: 2. Conway Garner is reputed to have chosen the name Paradise for the new post office because he said (and I quote), "This is as near to the real Paradise as some people will ever get". At any rate, to the U. S. Postal de artment, Gosneyville became Paradise and to this day it is so known. The real growth of Paradise began at this time. Business flourished with Jim Woods opening a general store, and Richardson Hulse and "Uncle Judge Douglas" opened up blacksmith shops. At the beginning of 1900 Andrew Johnson and Mr. Shull began a hardware store, followed by A. W. Benson's general store. Washington Douglas' & Tip Snail' general store. These were followed by two restaurants, a barber shop, among the names of the men we know were barbers--John Lizar, Jim King, Frank Howard and Harry Patrick was the last barber in Paradise. Tobe Douglas, one of three sons, went into business with his father and the sight of old "Uncle" Judge with his long grey whiskers, pumping the bellows, while the son mended plowshares, or fashioned horseshoes was a familiar one to the whole countryside. |
