Category: history

Dr. Orrin Griffin Lynde [1898–1980] was truly a compassionate man, always ready to assist the more unfortunate families around the area of Holt, Newfolden, Viking, and Middle River.

Orrin Lynde and my father, Melvin Griffin [1911–2001] of Middle River, were first cousins. Both Orrin and Melvin grew up together in Ellendale. Orrin was older – born in 1898 and Melvin in 1911.

Melvin’s father, Myron Wallace Griffin [1882–1947], contracted the Spanish flu in 1919 and was frail after this. Melvin left school after the 10th grade to help take care of the family and his younger brothers and sisters. After a plowing accident when a team of big working horses ran away with the plow and dragged him, his dream of going to college was lost, but he continued to read all that he could about modern farming.

In the early 1930s, when Orrin had become a doctor (1928 graduate of U of M), he asked Melvin to come to Middle River, to act as his driver and to help in other ways. In return, he would purchase a farm for him.

Melvin accepted his offer and moved to northern Minnesota to stay with Orrin and his wife, Mina Juanita (Lucky) Lynde [1901–1990], and to drive him around the countryside when he had babies to deliver or had home visits for his patients on farms in the area. In those days, doctors did everything.

In the late 1930s, the farm was purchased, and Melvin began working to turn it into a thriving endeavor, while slowly paying Orrin back for the purchase. This farm is located 3 ¾ miles east of Middle River.

Newspapers at the time reported that Dr. Lynde was injured in a car crash, while others mentioned that he had been wounded in the leg by a gunshot. He was treated in Minneapolis and returned to Thief River Falls with a wooden leg, unable to drive anymore. Once again, Melvin stepped in to help whenever needed.

In the 1940s, Dr. Lynde spent most of his time working at the Mercy Hospital in Thief River Falls. Many years later, I found a check Melvin had written out to Dr. Lynde, making the final payment for the farm – on the day I was born, December 15, 1942. Dr. Lynde was the doctor for my mother, Alice, and delivered me at Mercy Hospital. He even called my father on the “party link” telephone to announce my arrival.

Dr. Lynde moved to Los Gatos, California, in the early 1950s. But he didn’t forget us. We always received a large box of fresh and dried fruit from him for Christmas. My two sisters and I anxiously awaited the arrival of this gift as its contents were so delicious.

Years later I married Ted, a Greek naval officer, and moved to Greece to live. He was sent to the Naval Post Graduate School (1970–72) in Monterey, California. Dr. Lynde’s daughter lived close to Monterey while both Dr. Lynde and his son were living in California, and we would visit them. Dr. Lynde always had time for our visits, with fresh fruit from their trees in the backyard of their home, while reminiscing about his time spent in Thief River Falls, Minnesota.

He later returned to Ellendale, North Dakota, where he died in 1980.

Dr. Orrin Lynde was an outstanding human being, always ready to help any family in need without thought of payment. At the most, he might accept a chicken or some fresh meat from the farm.

These recollections come from my aunt’s notes and the treasured memories shared by my father and me of Dr. Orrin Lynde.