New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-02-05
OBITUARY..
EDWIN H. MEAD.

Edwin II. Mead, one Of the most prominent men
In the coal trade of the United States. and the
president OF the Pennsylvania Coal Company, died
at his home in South Orange Sunday night from
nervous prostration. He had been in failing health
for a long time. the result of excessive overwork,
out mad only been confined to his bed for about
month Edwin Hiram Mead a native OF this city
and was born in Broadway in 1s22. The next year the
yellow fever broke out. and his parents removed to
berkshire County. Mass. where young Mead was
brought up receiving good common-school educa-
ton. His first business experience was when very
young man. He for awhile in the office OF the
Harndrens Express. in Albany In 1910 he entered
the office Of Belknap Kearcher, then the leaders
OF the coal trade in Albany and after year or -
with them entered the employ of the Pennsylvania
Coal Company IN NewYork. His energy and abil-
lily soon brought him the front. and In February.
lSo-, when only thirty years Of age. he was elected
the secretary OF the company. He was reelected
ana successfully served secretary and treasurer,
ana on tn" death OF George Hoyt was chosen as
the president of the company. which place he had
ever since then filed. He also the managing
director OF the Erie and Wyoming Valley Railway
Company. director of the Washington Life In
surance Company. member Of the New-York
Chamber of Commerce and Of the American Geo
graphical Society. He also member of the
New-England Society Of Orange. Mr.. Mead mar
ried In January 1915. Miss Laura a. Belknap. of
Vermont. and she survives him with three children.
two sons and daughter
Mr.. Mead lived In Brooklyn for some time after
his marriage. and in 1868 went 10 South Orange.
building fine house in Ridgew0od Road and making
1t his home since that time. From the first he
threw himself into the life of the village and sought
by every means in his power to build IT up. He was
one Of the original men who secured the charter
for South Orange, and served two terms as presl-
dent OF the Board OF Village Trustees and one term
as Trustee. He VAS influential In bringing about
me ufalnage scheme that mas reeialmed 81 'hucn
or the waste land around South Orange. he was
one Of the principal members OF the Meadowbrook
Association and original member OF bOth the
Orange Athletic club and the South Orange Fled
club. to both OF which he contributed largely:
Through wise real-cstaie speculctiOns he acquired
a handsome fortune. He was above all thingS
puhc-sp.rtel man and ever ready to do all that he
could to stimulate the growth OF enterprises likely
u benefit th- place where ne lived. Politically he
WAS "A Republican but he held 10 the belief mat
the best men should be- voted for and It'd Iot draw
the party lines strictly He was "A great student
ana his well-siocked library was his delight He
was especially fond Of languages and devoted rluch
time To- their study. He was In addition TO this Il
thoroughly well Informed man on almost any SUD-
ject Personally Mr.. Mead was a kind-hearted.
genial man. domestic in his tastes and ever ready
sverywhere among al classes OF men with whom
H. was brought into contact, and kilograms ana
letters have poured int the home since the news
OF his serious Illness.
Mr.. Mead was brought up IN the Unitarian faith.
and. that denomination WAS not represented In
south Orange. he had been regular attendant at
its strong supporters The funeral Will be held at
his home. IN RidgeNood Road. tomorrow after
noon the arrival Of the l}0 train from New
York II will be conducted hy ne Rev Edward
assisted by the Rev. John II. Fisher. the former
pastor OF The South Orange Presbyterian Church.
and the Rev. Or George L. Spinning. the present
pastor. The burial vii be AZ the convenience OF
the family.