Los Angeles
County
Biographies
ETHEL WINEGAR GRIFFIN
Teaching
is such a rewarding profession that many women, like Ethel Winegar
Griffin, who leave a regular teaching position in order to raise a family,
continue in substitute work, and when their children are grown, return to
full-time teaching. When she moved to
Rosemead in 1927 Mrs. Griffin was a young wife who had had four years teaching
experience in San Bernardino City Schools, experience which she put to good use
as a substitute teacher in Rosemead until 1945 when she started full-time
teaching, serving in various schools in the district until her retirement in
1961.
A
native of Birmingham, Alabama, Mrs. Griffin was born on February 15, 1895,
coming to San Bernardino with her parents in 1910. Her father, Charles Winegard
of Campbellsburg, Indiana, was a railroad freight conductor, active in Boy
Scouts, and a Mason in Rosemead Masonic Club.
Her mother, Louisa (Wuench) Winegar, of Mascoutah, Illinois, was active in the
Methodist Church. After graduating from
San Bernardino High School Mrs. Griffin studied at Los Angeles State Normal
School and later took extension courses at the University of California at Los
Angeles and the University of Southern California, and is a life member of the
UCLA Alumni Association.
Mrs.
Griffin was one of the first members and an officer in the Rosemead Teachers’
Association, belonged to the California Teachers’ and the National Education
Associations, was in charge of the safety program at Encinita
School for nine years, and was for many years in charge of school
programs. She originated and published
“Nosey”, the popular school paper. She
also received citations for selling war bonds during World War II, is a former
Boy Scout mother, and is a charter member of the Rosemead Homemakers. A member of long standing of the Rosemead
Youth Association, Mrs. Griffin is now its secretary-treasurer. She is active in the Community Methodist
Church, and has been awarded life membership in the Women’s Society of
Christian Service. She also holds a life
membership in the Parent-Teachers’ Association.
Married
to John Michael Griffin of West Virginia, on June 9, 1920, in San Bernardino,
Mrs. Griffin was widowed on September 18, 1948.
Her late husband was with the Los Angeles Recreation Department and did
much to further Scouting. He served in
France during World War I. The Griffin’s
son and daughter, both graduates of Rosemead schools and El Monte High School
are: John Charles Griffin, born August 23, 1921, served in Naval Aviation during World War
II, and who does electronic work, lives in Rosemead, is married, and is the
father of two children, Anne and Jim; and Mrs. Clyde (Patricia Griffin) Bell,
born on May 17, 1931, who lives in Long Beach, is married and the mother of two
sons, Bruce and Erik. Pat Griffin Bell
was on the tennis team in high school and was a top student. She is a graduate of Fullerton Junior College
and of Los Angeles State College, and has taught at Valle Linda School and in
Long Beach.
Ethel
Wingar Griffin makes a hobby of youth work. She writes verse, some of which has been
published in newspapers, and is talented in watercolor painting.
Transcribed by
V. Gerald Iaquinta.
Source:
Historical Volume & Reference Works Including Alhambra, Monterey Park,
Rosemead, San Gabriel & Temple City, by Robert P. Studer,
Pages 638-640, Historical Publ., Los Angeles, California. 1962.
© 2013 V. Gerald Iaquinta.
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NUGGET'S LOS ANGELES BIOGRAPHIES