Cardiff Times – 19 February 1910

MR GRIFFITH GEORGE, J.P.

Aberdarian’s Death at Teneriffe.

News was received by cablegram at Aberdare on Wednesday afternoon that County Councillor Griffith George (Gruffydd Dyfed), J.P., The Laurels, Aberdare, had passed away on the previous day at Teneriffe, where he had gone a few weeks ago for the benefit of his health, accompanied by his wife.

The deceased was a native of Llangoedmore, [sic] in Cardiganshire, but his parents removed when he was a young lad to Pontseli, near Newcastle Emlyn, where he was brought up, one of his schoolmates being the late Rev. Herber Evans. He was apprenticed to the drapery trade, and spent some years in business in London, where he married Miss Rachel Rees, of Castell Gorwyn, Trelech, Carmarthenshire. Two daughters and a son were born of the marriage, the latter, Mr Glendower George, at present holding an important position as a mining engineer in India. About 1875 Mr George removed to Aberdare and opened a business as a draper at Trecynon. He took a keen interest in social, religious, and political affairs. He was a prominent member of the South Wales Liberal Federation, as well as of the Aberdare Liberal Association, and was one of the founders of the Aberdare Liberal Club. In 1886 Mr George bought the Beehive drapery establishment in Victoria-square, Aberdare, which he conducted until he finally retired from business some 14 years ago.

In 1894 he became a member of the first Urban District Council for Aberdare, and while on that body he worked very hard to secure the adoption of the Free Libraries Act in the town. Nine years ago he was elected to represent the Duffryn Ward on the Glamorgan County Council, and he was a member of the Parliamentary and other committees. He was also a member of the Education Committee of the Council, and a governor of the Aberdare County School. He was a fluent writer of poetry both in the vernacular and in English, and a frequent contributor to the Welsh periodicals. In a competition at the Aberdare National Eisteddfod for a prize of £50 offered by the late Marquis of Bute for a translation of the “Alcestes” of Euripides, his translation was the second best. At the Pontypridd National Eisteddfod he won the prize for a translation into English verse of the awdl on “Elusengarwch” by Dewi Wyn o Eifion. Four years ago he published a volume of poems, which contains a number of Welsh compositions.

Deceased was a deacon of the Baptist Church at Heolyfelyn, Aberdare, and while on the voyage out to Teneriffe he composed a hymn, which is being rehearsed by the Baptist choirs in Aberdare for their forthcoming annual singing festival. After the death of his first wife he married Mrs Davies, widow of Mr Rees Davies, timber merchant, Swansea, and subsequently Miss Clara Hodges, daughter of the late Mr William Hodges, Aberdare, with whom great sympathy is felt in her bereavement.
 


Aberdare Leader – 12 March 1910 – Governors Tribute to Griffith George

The late Mr Griffith George, J.P.

COUNCILLOR D. HUGHES’ TRIBUTE.

The Governors of the Aberdare County School met on Monday. Councillor David Hughes, the chairman, referred to the sad death of Mr. G. George. He said: Since we last met I am sorry to say that death has taken away one of the most faithful members of this Governing Body. I am sure we all deeply deplore his death. Mr. George was one of the first members of this Board, and up to the time of his death was the survivor at this table of the original Governing Body. We all know what keen interest he took in the school. He was one of the most regular in his attendances up to last summer, when his health failed. He has died in a strange land, but his memory will live here. We will always remember him as an educationist and patriot. I move a sincere vote of condolence with Mrs. George and family, and that we place on record our deep appreciation of his invaluable services to the School.

Mrs. Walter Lloyd seconded, and the motion was carried in silence.


Merthyr Express – 26 February 1910 – Griffith George Last Hymn

The Late Mr. Griffith George, J.P.

At the society meeting held on Sunday evening at Heolyfelin Welsh Baptist Chapel, Trecynon, of which the late Mr. Griffith George had been an active member and deacon for over thirty years, the Rev. W. Cynog Williams (pastor) made very feeling reference to the loss the church had sustained by his death. We append a copy of the hymn composed by Mr. George on the voyage out to Teneriffe. It was sent back by him from Las Palmas to the Rev. W. Cynog Williams, for inclusion in the programme of the Welsh Baptist Festival next summer. It will interest a large number of the friends of the deceased, being probably his last Welsh composition.
 

Pan f’o cymorth byd yn pallu,
  A gelynion ar bob llaw,
O! mor felus ydyw tremu
  I’r tragwyddol fryniau draw.

Yno tardda yn ddiddarfod
  Nerthoedd newydd nol y dydd;
Anweledig allu’r Duwdod
  Fu’n amddiffyn teulu’r ffydd.

Hwylia Ef ein gwamal gamrau
  Drwy anialwch dyrus byd;
Ceidw’n ddiogel ein heneidiau
  Drwy y gorthrymderau’i gyd.

Ceidwad Israel byth ni huna—
  Dydd a nos ein Gwyliwr yw;
Enaid egwan, ymwrola !
  Cadarn wyt yn nerth dy Dduw.
         -o-o-o-o-o-

   John Samuel (ABGS 1952-60)
 has written a free translation
     in the form of a hymn:—

When all worldly help is useless,
  All around are daunting foes,
Zion’s hills will us inspire 
  To o’ercome our many woes.

Never failing inspiration,
  Daily is our strength restored,
All sustained by the Immortal,
  Faithful servants of the Lord.

We may wander on life’s journey
  When oppression mars our ways,
Yet our souls remain secure,
  His protection with us stays.

Israel’s keeper never slumbers,
  He’s our guard by day and night;
Feeble soul, O pluck up courage
  Be sustained by your God’s might.