Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-05-16
Walter B. GetchelI.

Walter +. Gctchell. the oldest citizen of
Natervillc, passed away Wednesday at
his home, Al Silver street, at the age Of
81 years.
His death removes one who has for q
great many years been closely identified
with Watcrvillc. Until within few
months he was a familiar figure about
the streets. Last fall he suffered a slight
shock from the effects of which ne never
recovered. lie had kept about until a
few weeks ago, when he began to fail
rapidly.
Mr.. Gctchcll was born in Winslow Dec.
q, 1909. the son of William Gctch,lI
He was educated in the Winsluw public
schools and in the old Watcrvilc Insti-
tutc. In 1873 he married Ann Elizabeth
Falcon. Three children were born of
this union, Ann f. Davis of Minncapo-
lis, Mimi; l.. Alice 0urr, who died nj
Minneapolis about three years ago, and
Sanborn p, who died many years ago.
Ills first wife having died, Mr.. Getchcll
married. Antonctte Colby. who died in
July. 1905. There We're also three chit
drcn from this union, Leslie s., who died
a few years ago; Eva s., who has lived
- H'hit N'iIlIi5 ~ I'M pdiItltS III tl'll
declining years. AMI DR.. Albert Colby
Gctchnll. who is an active practitioner in
Worcester. Mass.
Mr.. Gctchcll has been actively fdcnti-
fed with the business interests of Wa
tervilIe for about 20 years. In 1890 h.
was in trade with his brother William I'M
der the firm name of W. & w. Gctchcll.
They conducted n general store on tn"
site Just above the Bay View Eotcl. In
1881 they engaged in the lumber bust
ness. which they continued many years.
running the store in connection with it.
They had sawmills down in the vicinity
Of the present location of the lockwood
mills. also in stcamboatinG on the river
by which supplies from the outside world
reached Waterville before the advent of
rail- Gads. They were thus doing large
and prosperous business when their mills
We're burned. With true Yankee grit they
built them up again and continued the
business for many years. Later they suf-
fered a second loss by fire and the loss
was so great that they did not rebuild.
Since that time Mr.. Getchcll was en-
gagged in farming. owning land both in
WatervilIe ana in 'Winslow. until dcclin-
ing strength compelled him TO give up
active labor.
Mr.. GetrhcIl has been a good friend
and neichbor, interested in all matters
that ncrtained to the welfare and up
building of the community and the coun-
try He had long been actively identified
with the Universalst Society of this city
In 1871 he with some 40 others banded
themselves together to build the present
Universalst meeting house, which was
dedicated in January, 1883
IN the Centennial History Of Water
VILE We find an account Of the move
ment to erect that house end this very
appropriate reference to the part Mr..
Getchell had in it: 'In is an interesting
fact that there still remains with us in
vigorous. cheerful old age, one of the 40
men who signed the request of Timothy
RoutelIe to issue warrant to call the
meeting for the organization of the So
cjetv-his name, the last on the list, as he
himself is the last in the land of the liv-
ing. our venerable friend, Water Getchell.
whose zeal for his church to this day has
not failed or even tagged
The funeral will be held Friday at :
p. NJ, Rev. F. E. Barton officiating.