The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-07-22
OBITUARY..
WILLIAM COOPER MEAD, d. D.. IL. D.

On Thursday afternoon last near the hour of sun
set ON the veranda of the parsonage. at Norwalk.
Conn. surrounded by members of his household.
Rev. DIR. Mead breathed his last. He had been in
the enjoyment of his usual health until moment
before his departure. After early dinner that
day he went, in company with his daughter, to
ride. While driving along East avenue the horse
took fright, and the Doctor made unusual
ertions to check him. After he had done his
daughter observed that his face was paer than
usual. and asked him if she should take the rens.
He replied. "No but You may take the whip"
While passing the whip to her it dropped from his
hand. and she picked It up. The remainder of the
ride was without incident. Arriving at the parson-
age the Doctor sprang lightly from his carriage
il nothing had happened. his daughter follow
Ing. AS was his custom pleasant sum
mer afternoons. he walked into the garden.
Presently the Doctor called his attendant and.
leaning upon his shoulder, returned to the house.
As he stepped upon the veranda he looked strangely
white in the face and said. II think must leave you
now" and sat down IN his accustomed chair. These
words are believed to be his last. He remained
seated but moment then arose and walked into
his study. The attendant after heard him
coughing and. going in. assisted the Doctor back to
hls chair on the veranda. His daughter sent hur-
redly for physician. who. his arrival. saw that
nothing could be done. In the meantime Dr. Mead
had coughed much and raised blood. He remained
In the chair while mattress being brought, and
almost instantly after being laid upon it his spirit
passed away. His death removes a landmark of the
church, the town and of this generation. He
born in Greenwich. Conn, October &C. 1885, his
parents having temporarily LETT their residence in
New York city on account of the prevalence
of yellow fever and consequently in his
eighty fourth year. He given thor
ough education, choosing the ministry which
he entered in his twenty-ninth year.
his profession. Previous to this he had en-
gagged in mercantile pursuits. In company with
Rev. DR.. Bayard and Rev. DIR. Roosevelt Johnson lie
was on January s, 1924. ordained to the deaconate
! Right Rev. DR.. Croes. Bishop of New Jersey. at
New brunswick, and subsequently, was ordained to
New York city. His first work as a clergy to
found the parish Of Grace Church, at White Plains,
n T., where church was built under his direction.
hea 1.-THE same time officiating in Tarrytown, Sing Sing
and Greenburg. From this field he accepted call
from Christ Church. Reading Pa, and after resi-
dence OF seven months there accepted call to the
rectorship of Trinity Church, Philadelphia. where
he spent ten years of an active life. Becoming
tired of the city and longing for rural scenes. in
June. 1886. he accepted cali to st. Paul's Church,
Norwak as the successor OF the late Bishop Kemper,
assuming his duties the first Sunday in July follow
Ing. This parish he faithfully served until the day
OF his death-a period of more than forty-three
years. During ministry of over ffty-fve years he
performing hissduties with energy that even in
his later years was remarkable. He was leading
and very prominent in the general conventions Of
the Church in the United States He was a member
OF the General Convention longer than any bishop.
and was senior member thereof longer ago than
1852. He had been offered the bishopric of Con-
necticut. and was once urged to accept that Of
Southern diocese. He was q Free Mason of high de.
gree, having at different times served Grand
Chaplain of the Grand Lodges of Connecticut
and Pennsylvania and of the Grand Chapter of
Connecticut He was made Mason in 1S24-ffty-
Ave years ago-in Westchester Lodge, No. 46, Of
White Plains N. Y, and was elected an honorary
n n in
1Sa9 and chaplain and trustee thereof for many
years. He was man OF great learning and pol
ished and eloquent speaker. In 1865 he delivered
the historical address ut the centennial OF St. Johns
Lodge. and in 1872 delivered the Grafton of the dedi
was Of the four Episcopal cergymen in
tile United States who have been rector of
and the cane which he hea at the time of his DEATH
account of his having been longest parish of
any rector in the State now goes to Rev. B: NJ Var
rngton, of Greenwich DR.. Mead received the de-
gree of LII. D. from Trinity College. years
SINCE and at the time OF his death of the
trustees OF that institution and for many years held
the same Office in the General Theological Seminary
Of New YORK. His opinions regarding canon law
were profound and much sought. not only by the
churches the United States but those of England
His name distinguished in the Episcopal
Church as the one whose head more than that of
any other man. moulded her canon law through the
past halt century. But he is known to his people
and more endeared to them than the canonist, how.
ever learned. He WIS the true man, the core of
whose life was honesty and honor-a teacher of
Righteousness, whose eye never quailed nor the
messages Oh truth never laltered on MS tongue De-
cause OF human presence mortal's frown.
While strong and answering in his convictions his
heart was full of kindness. Who that gained
his friendship did find him true as STEEL Death
but enclosed such life as his III the setting Of i'm
mortality.
The funeral will take place Wednesday afternoon,
July %, i'll the church. which will be draped for the
Occasion. Large numbers of the clergy from this
and other dioceses have been invited and
pected to be present take part in the ceremonies
Right Rev. John Williams, Bishop of Connecticut.
will conduct the services. The boly will lie in state
m af
funeral rites be buried in the family tomb beneath
the elms the Doctor loved and in shadow of the
church in which he mnstered SO long and WELL