The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1919-10-13
FORMER MAYOR
MELCHER DEAD
Was President Of Peoples
National Bank and Long
in Granite Industry
WAS PROMINENT IN
DEMOCRATIC PARTY
End Came Saturday Night
After Long Illness-Fu-
neral Wednesday

Charles W. Melcher, for nearly 80
years a granite manufacturer in Barre
ex-mayor of the city and president Of
the Peoples National bank since the
founding of that institution in 1904
passed away at $3.50 Saturday evening
at his home, 20 Park street. He had
been in poor health for some time and
during the past 10 weeks had been con-
fined to the bed. The cause of death was
pernicious anamia
Charles William Melcher was one OF
the large number of Maine men who
came to Barre to engage in the granite
business. He was born in Brunswick
that state, on Oct %, 1851, and would
therefore, have been 6S years OF age this
month. He was the son of Charles and
Deborah (Fryel Melcher and was
brought up on a farm, being the eldest in
family of nine children.
Leaving home at the age of Is years
Mr.. Melcher went TO Cambridge, Mass
where he served his apprenticeship as a
x
trade in Cambridgeport and going tC
Vinalhaven, Me, where he remained
two years in similar occupation. In 1875
he went west and for the next seven
years was engaged in silver mining in
Arizona and New Mexico.
On his return east he was married in
1886 to Mary Ada McCorrison of Apple
ton, Me, and they resided for short
time in Belfast, Me-, coming to
Barre in 1887 and making their home
here ever since. In 1888 Mr. Melcher
formed a partnership with William R
Hadley under the name of Melcher &
Hadley and for many years they con.
Quoted a business off Depot square, Mr.
Melcher later continuing the business
alone and retiring from it in 1916.
Mr.. Melcher was always an enthusias-
tic Barre man and he took great inter.
est in the progress of the community in
many ways Back in 1904 he was one
of those who chartered the Peoples Ma.
tional bank, and his integrity and good
business judgment were recognized by
the selection of him as the first president
of the institution, an office which he was
still holding at the time of his death
Civic affairs interested Mr. Melchel
greatly and he was honored in 1902 by
election as mayor Of the city In addi,
tion TO that Office. he had served fol
many years on the board of civil author.
ity. He was one of the prominent Demo
Gratis of Vermont and had served foI
four years as a leading member of the
Barre Granite Manufacturers associa
tion.
Mr.. Melcher's most recent public work
was as chairman OF the Barre committed
in all five Liberty loan drives which were
carried out so successfully. He devoted
much time to this work and was intense
ly interested in seeing the campaigns
develop to success.
In fraternal life Mr.. Melcher was q
Mason, having been a member Of King
Solomon's lodge, 7. and A. NJ, al
Charlestown, Mass, charter member ot
Granite chapter, r. A. NJ, of Barre, oi
st. Aldemar commandery, X t. of Barre
and of Mt Sinai temple, Mobiles of th,
Mystic Shrine.
The surviving relatives are the widow
and two children, Mrs Velma Ingalls
and Paul X. Meleher both Of whom arr
at present in Barre. The last-named il
student in the Michigan College o.
Mines at Houghton, Mich, but he hat
not returned to that institution this fal
because of the failing health Of his ia
ther. Out of the family of nine children
there are two sisters and one brother
surviving, they being Mrs. Alice Melchel
Sowerby of Buffalo, N. ", Mrs Annie
Melcher Dubois of Fall River, Mass, anC
Orion Melcher Of Albian, Idaho.
The funeral of Mr.. Melcher will b.
held at his late residence Wednesday
afternoon at o'clock, Rev. b. G. Lipsky
officiating, and interment will be al
Elmwood cemetery.