The Republican journal., 1910-03-03
Charles F. Wildes.

Charles F. Wildes, the well-known
correspondent of the Somerville Journal
for the last thirty-ive years, a..::former
member of the board of aldermen, and
for three years member of the Massa.
chusetts legislature. died suddenly Sun.
day night at 1890 o'clock at his home, 81
Perkins street. Death was ldueIto val
vular disease of the heart. Three weeks
previous to his death, on Saturday even
ing, January goth, Mr.. Wildes was taken
suddenly i'll while at the Webcowit club,
and was removed to his home in the am
bulance. He appeared much improved
during the weeks following, and was
planning to take long rest in trip to
Bermuda. When taken i'll Sunday night
he was at the supper table.
Mr.. Wildes was born in Boston October
II, ls47, and was educated in the Boston
public schools, coming to Somerville in
1868 For forty years he was employed
by the Bradstreet Mercantile agency,
Boston, being originally employed to
work inside the office, and after being in
that capacity for about year was trans
ferred to the position of record reporter.
In that capacity he had charge of getting
all matters of record at the city hall,
Boston, and also all corporation returns
filed at the State house, together with
the organization of new corporations,
both domestic and foreign. An import
ant part of his work was the examination
of practically all newspapers published
in New Hampshire Vermont, and east
ern Massachusetts,. With great fidelity
L L Il 20 L.
work Mr. Wildes had also served on the
Somerville Journal staff since the early
days of the paper, and at the time of
of any member Of the force. He was
the paper.
Mr.. Wildes was descended from the
original Wildes family which came to
this country in 1923; his father WIS con-
nected with the famous old Wiides tav-
ern on Elm street. Boston.
For many years Mr.. Wildes had been
identified with the Republican party Of
Somerville, having served four years as
secretary of the city committee, two as
vice president, and three years as .presi-
dent. He had been member of the Re
publican State central committee, and
had almost yearly been chosen as dele
gate to one or more of the conventions.
He had the reputation of being able to
identify and recognize majority of the
voters of the city and to give their resi-
dence. He served in the Somerville
board of aldermen in 1899 and 1900, and
in the legislature as a representative
from ward l during the years of 1901
'02 and 1908. While in the legislature
he served on the committees on election
laws, metropolitan affairs, and libraries,
acting as clerk for the first two COM
mittees.
Through the character of his business
he came to know thousands of people,
and was held in high esteem. He posses
sed quaint sense Of humor and keen
insight into men and affairs. In quiet,
transformations manner Mr.. Wildes per-
formed many acts of kindness and chart
ty, some of which have been divulged
since his death. Six years ago, in No.
vember, 1903, he was married to Miss
Adah E. Larrabee, of Belfast, Me-, who
survives him.
Besides being member of the Web
cowit club he was member of the old
Charlestown club, the Somerville Fourth
of July association, the Fellsway Driv-
ing club, and was an honorary member
of the Mems club of the First Universal
list and Flint-street churches.
The funeral was held Tuesday after
noon at O'Clock from the East Somer-
vile Baptist church. A large company
of friends, political, business, and social
associates, gathered there for the unus-
ually impressive services The casket
stood before large and beautiful bank
of roses, lilies, carnations, tulips, and
other flowers, which attested the love in
which Mr. Wildes was held. Rev. Fred
eric S. Body, of the East Somerville
Baptist church, oficiated, and was as
sisted by Rev. Percy E. Thomas, of the
Franklin-street Congregational church.
School Committeeman E. F. Chaffee
acted as usher.
Following the opening prayer by Rev.
Mr.. Body the Adelphi quartette chant
ed the Lords prayer, following which
the Scriptures We're read, and the quar-
tette rendered LEAD, Kindly Light. "
In his words of eulogy Mr. Body spoke
of Mr.. Wildes' long residence in Somer-
vile, his public service, his business and
social life, and said that although many
knew him, few knew the inner qualities
of his heart and the tenderness which
was moving characteristic. He COM
mented on the lack of self-interest shown
by Mr.. Wildes in his public duties, and
suggested by few illustrations the un-
heralded philanthropy and kindness
which distinguished Mr.. Wildes, and he
concluded: Let these tributes of the
many he has helped be his eulogy.''
The Adelphi quartette sang passing
Out of the Shadow prayer was offered
by Rev. Mr.. Thomas, and after the sing
ing of the hymn, Sometime Well I'm
derstand," by the quartette, Rev. Mr..
Body pronounced the benediction. T.
Weston Bryant was in charge of the
funeral arrangements, and burial was at
Wyoming cemetery.
Among the attendants at the funeral
We're: Mayor John M. Woods, Fred Ella
Warren, Building Commissioner Walter
T. Littlefeld, Ex-Representative S.
Newton Cutler, Aldermen William P.
Jones and Charles W. Hodgdon, Ex-Al-
dermen George A. Lord and David B.
Armstrong, James Waters, Fred L.
Coburn, Harvey E. Frost, representa-
tives from the Somerville Journal, with
which Mr.. Wildes had been so long con-
nected, business associates from Boston,
and many other friends.
Editorially the Somerville Journal
pays this tribute to the deceased:
In the death of Charles F. Wildes the
city loses one of it's active public men.