Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1918-05-17
EDMUND MATHER.
FATHER OF WATER
SYSTEM, IS DEAD
Many Activities Through Life
of Ninety Years, Marked
His Long Career

Edmund Mather died at lilo
o'clock last night at his home, 2O4
Walnut street. from the intrmities
of his advanced years. He was 90
years old.
Mr.. Mather had the distinction OF
being known as the father of the
city water department" and was one
of the most widely-known men in
the city. In spite OF his advanced
age, he had been active until his
death. He had not been confined to
his bed prior to his death.
Mr.. Mather's life was one of in
tense activity throughout. Water
Commissioner for twenty four years,
adjutant in the Union Army during
the Civil War and the remainder of
his life devoted to business is the
record of Mr.. Mather's long life.
Active For Many Years
He became Water Commissioner in
1855 and remained in office until the
Clark act legislated him out in 1919.
During his tenure of office his pro-
found knowledge of engineering and
mathematics enabled him to create a
water supply system for Harrisburg
which has become a model for the
state. During his terms in office
Harrisburg was graduated from the
old pump stage to its present filter
plant.
During the water supply crisis of
last January Mr.. Mather was called
in to aid the city in extricating it
self from the difficulty and his first
hand knowledge of the subject was
invaluable in solving the difficulties
confronting the city at that time.
Served In Civil War
Edmund Mather was born at Heap
Fold, Lancashire. England. September
s, 1927. He came to this country at
the age OF II and for many years
was engaged in erecting and operat-
ing paper mills in all parts of the
country.
He was married to Jane Ann Park
er, of HeNham. England. at Fitch
burg, Mass, on October 9, 1851. ="
Mr.. Mather enlisted in the Eights
fourth Regiment, Pennsylvaia Nolun-
teers, at the beginning of the Civil
War and served throughout the war.
He fought at the battles of Winches-
ter. Cedar Mountain. second Battle of
Bull Run. Fredericksburg, the bat
ties in the Wilderness and several
other important battles. He suf-
Tered from shell shock and was for
many years after the war an inva-
lid He was a member of the orig
inal Lochiel Grays. enlisting May .,
1851. at Lincolns first call for
men. In 1898 he entered business at
Second and Walnut streets. where he
conducted water appliance and
steam fixture store, which he later
moved to the present site. 2O4 Wal
nut street.
He is survived by his only daugh-
ter, Mrs. Sarah Z. Deeter. of 2O4
Walnut street, and five grandchil-
dren, DR.. Ruth 4. Deeter. of 132 Wal
nut street; Mrs. Lille Deeter Har-
wood. of Cleveland: Mrs. Jane Deet-
er Rippin. of Washington; Edmund
Mather Deeter, vice-president and
treasurer of Z. Mather Company. of
this city, and J. 4. Deeter, Jr.. Col
lege Settlement. Philadelphia.
Mr.. Mather was a member of the
C. A. r.. Post 5S, and OF Perse-
verance Lodge, No. 81, F. and A. NJ.
He was a life member of the Y. NJ.
c. A. and also of the American Wa
terworks Association, a national or
sanization of water commissioners.
For more than forty years he main
tanned a pew in the Pine street Pres
byterian Church.