The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1909-04-09
JUDGE HENRY MELDER DEAD

JUDuE HENRl MELDtK DEAD
Pioneer Passed Away at Els Fish
Lake Home.
Judge Henry Melder passed away
yesterday morning at 2:30 o'clock
after a long Illness. at his home at
Fir Grove on the shores OF Fish lake.
The funeral will be held from the
Ratndrum Presbyterian church, Sun
day afternoon at 2 O'clock, under
auspices Of the Masops and Odd
Fellows.
In the death Of Henry Melder the
Pacific Northwest loses a pioneer and
Idaho one Of her best citizens. Judge
Melder's long life was crowded with
thrilling incidents both on land and
sea. He was born in Calmar, sweden,
January 10th, 1880, but in childhood
was brought to the United States.
As "A hoy he served before the mast,
eventually becoming captain. His
sea service carried him TO-, every i'm
portant port In the western heInis-
phere and around Cape Horn three
times. He quit the sea ia 1850 aud
settled in San Francisco. After four
years experience there he moved to
Iowa, establishing the town of Cal.
mar where he conducted a hotel.
Here he remained for several years,
moving thence to Ere. born. Mimi, to
engage in farming. His only brother
still resides there The quiet OF his
home was 80 often interrupted by
Indian hosailities he left that settle.
mtnt 10 1851 and entered business 10
Chicago. The civil war breaking out
he recruited a company in Chicago
which Went to the front, but because
Of defective eyesight Judge Melder
was rejected.
Judge Melder again returned to
California, settling in Sonuma County.
He became Deputy Surveyor and as
such assisted IN laying out several
extensions of San Francisco.
In 1879 Judge Melder moved ia
Spokane, then in its commercial in
fancy. He was soon after appointed
County Surveyor, at the same time in
association with Judge S. G. Hyde
and Colonel Nash, continued the
practice of law. He came into Koot.
enai County in 1882 and was appoin t.
ed the first Probate Judge. for the
county He was elected for SIX terms
thereafter. In 1889 he was a mem
Der Of the convention which framed
the constitution that was adopted
when Idaho became a State. He was
appointed customs inspector and soon
after promoted to the collectorship OF
the port at Boomers Ferry. Declin-
ing health forced his retirement in
1905, since which time he has resided
on his farm at Fir Grove. located on
the beautiful shores Of Fish Lake.
Eight months ago Judge Melder
met With an, accident which caused a
FRACTURE OF the hip. From this he
never fully recovered. He suffered
intensely from this wound but sus.
tained himself with much fortitude
and patience till his death.
He was united In marriage to Sarah
}. Blodgett 10 1856, Moore county.
Iowa. CT this happy union, eleven
children were born, six boys and 1--we
girls. or this interesting family
there are now living three girls and
four boys, namely, Mrs. Robert S.
Brapaw, wife Of former State Auditor
Bragaw, now Of Spokane; Mrs MIN
ME A. Rose, Mrs. Mary E. Young, O.
+. Melder. Henry L. Melder, Gustave
Melder and Fred E. Melder, all of
Kootenai county.
Judge Melder was a memher of the
Masonic and l. o. o. F. lodges OF
Bonner's Ferry and charter mem Der
OF the A. o U. w. lodge Of Spokane.
OF which fraternity he Is known as
the father.
Judge Mtlder was a man OF the
very highest integrity, private and