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Letter: Reminisnce photo brings family memories
The picture on The Lima News D section on Nov. 30, “A band of harmonicas,” really touched my heart.
My father, Hugh Griffith, was a harmonic player in Gomer, where he had a barbershop and restaurant in one small building. He also played a set of bones along with the harmonica.
His grandparents from the Giffith side came from Wales, as did the Hugh Williams grandparents, and settled in Pomeroy. He was born April 7, 1874. His father worked in the coal mines. When my dad was 10, he worked the elevator that brought men up from the mines and, one day, the gate came down on his leg. That ended his work at the mines, so he was taught the barber trade by an uncle.
He came to Gomer, where he met and married my mother, Grace Manuel, daughter of John and Mary Manuel. Two sons and four daughters were born to Hugh and Grace. As a child, I often saw and heard him play the harmonica and bones.
Many folks enjoyed watching and hearing him play. Not all of them lived in Gomer.
I especially remember a Jewish family from California who travelled to New York every summer. They alwyas stopped to eat at my dad's place and listen to him play. We made sure to be down by the Lincoln Highway to see them, or at least I did.
When dad died, I received his harmonica and ebony bones that a high school teacher brought to him from France when she made a trip over there.
Those days I lived in Gomer are now only memories, which I hold dear to my heart. At 88 years even some of my memories are slipping away.
Thanks for the picutre. It will be added to my other memories.
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