Charles Griggsby
1857 - 1920
By the time Charles Griggsby was first mentioned in local papers, he was already an established leader in the Liberty Black community. In 1897, Liberty Mayor Masby selected Charles to represent Liberty at the first convention in St. Joseph to establish a home for the indigent and elderly who were formerly enslaved. He served on the home’s ways and means committee and advisory board.
Charles was a member of the Royal Arch Masons of Missouri, Liberty Lodge. In 1904, as Grand Junior Warden, he traveled to St. Louis to represent the Liberty Lodge. He served as Grand Treasurer for a number of years before being elected Grand High Priest of the Royal Arch Masons.
Charles died in his Liberty home on February 7, 1920. His funeral was a grand affair, held at the First Baptist Church. Masons from all over Missouri came to pay their respects. Kansas City Sun editor and close friend Nelson Crews, as well as the Superintendent of Kansas City’s General Hospital Dr. William Thompkins attended. The local Knights Templar band played music and led the funeral cortege to Fairview. It was the first time an automobile hearse was used in a Black funeral in Liberty.
Charles’ first wife Anna Drake Blue is likely buried at Fairview, as well as his second wife Mamie Mitchell Dorsey. His son Charles Harvey Griggsby (1883-1884) has one of the earliest Clay County birth records as well as one of the earliest burial records for Fairview. All but Mamie are in unmarked graves.