Grierson/

The following obituary was written by John (4) Burton Grierson.
His father died in November 1922.

John Grierson was born in Bourke St. Melbourne on 2nd April, 1844. His father, the late John Grierson emigrated from Scotland on the first emigrant vessel that came to Victoria, arriving here in October 1839, after a 10 months voyage. He was the first child christened in Richmond in the old wooden Wesleyan Chapel on Church St. hill. His early boyhood was spent first on a farm at Diamond Creek, & afterwards on the Plenty River. When approaching manhood the family moved to Hoddle St. Collingwood & he was apprenticed to the art of printing. Always of a gentle and devout disposition at the age of 18 he took up Church & Sunday School work. He was also choirmaster of Scots' Church for some years. Afterwards, when he married and settled in Richmond, he joined St. Stephens choir & Sunday School staff & taught the girls Bible class for 30 years. He was very fond of the C. of E. form of service. He organised many concerts & Cantatas & was beloved of everyone.

On removing to Preston Reservoir, where there was no C. of E., he joined the local Methodist Church & continued doing his Master's work there till failing health compelled him to retire. In private life he was a Master Printer for some years. But during the greater part of his life was employed at Messrs Sands & McDougall (50 years in all) retiring on a pension.

He was formerly a member of the Melb. Liedertafel and the Philharmonic Society & was the first President of the A.N.A. ( [ed - Australian Natives Association] in Richmond. He entered his rest on the 21st inst after a short illness & was buried at Coburg Cemetery.

His end was peaceful, & ministers & gentlemen of every creed followed him to his last resting place. If I may be permitted to say it "My dad was the most beautiful & Christlike character I have ever met", & surely the words of the Oratorio "Elijah" are most applicable to him. - "For the Righteous shall shine as the Sun in their Heavenly Father's Realm."