The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1922-11-02
R,1pn GLrDnILL DIES SUDDENLY
Had Been Connected win Every
WnrSted Manufacturing Enter
nri>e in Somerset County

The communities of Skowhegan and
Madison we're shocked and grieved 10
learn of the sudden death OF Ralph
Gledhill at his home in East Madison
early Friday evening. His final i'll
ness covered scarcely twenty-fonr
honrs. The deceased had been iden-
tilted with every worsted manpfaetur-
ing enterprise In Somerset County.
Mr.. Gledhill was born in Hudders-
field. England in 1876 and came to this
country with his parents. Mr.. and Mrs.
Walter Gledhill and his sister Miss
Edith VI. Gledhil in 1903. Two older
brothers of the deceased. the late Ed
win Gledhill and Morris Gledhill had
preceded the family to this country.
Mr.. Gledhil first lived with his pa
rents in Providence. r. |. In 1898
the Lakeside mills al East Madison
were built. being the first worsted
manufacturing plant in Somerset
County and Mr.. Gledhill became as
sistant to his brother Edwin Gledhill
who was the first manager of the
plant. He was next identified with
the worsted industry in Skowhegan
when the MIarston Worsted Mill began
ODfIHllIB TIT W do bilf VI wv '7'C''f
holders i'm This concern and was as
soeiated with his older brother al
ready mentioned in the management
of the same In 1903 the two broth
ers took over the Lakeside mills at
East Madison. which later became
known as the Somerset WOrsted Mills,
the gentleman just now deceased be-
coming superintendent. Since that
time he has been continuously con
neeted with the enterprise. his broth
er, Morris Gledhill becoming actively
engaged in the business after the
death of Edwin Gledhill Mr.. Gled-
hill was also director and one OF the
stockholders of the original Maine
Spinning Co. These incidents of his
lifetime indicate that he not only was
connected with every textile industry
In the making of worsted goods in
Somerset County but also that his
business career had been active and
efficient. He was much with the peo-
ple in the community where he lived
and his love for his friends and neigh
bors was universally felt in the sec
ton where he had so long dwelt. His
generous nature and kindly spirit had
often presented themselves in the
hours of sickness or sorrow and the
people of East Madison whether desi-
dents of the village or outlying farms
had universal respect and regard
for him. 1t was perhaps Mr.. Gled-
hills kind deeds that Will live longer
with the people of Skowhegan and
Madison than his accomplishments in
commerce and industry though the
latter were we'll worthy of recogni-
ton.
Mr.. Gledhill was married in 1903 to
Miss Maude Pratt Messer of East
Madison who survives as do his moth
er, Mrs. Sarah Gledhill of Skowhegan
his brother Morris Gledhill and his
sister, Miss Edith NJ. Gledhill of Show
hogan
Funeral services were held from
the house Monday at ~ o'clock. Rev
Fl. l.. Nichols, pastor of the Centenary
Methodist Church OBLIGATED and the
remains were inferred in the South
side cemetery here. The pail bearers
we're William Donovan. Louis Mar.
Quis, Fred Lebroke and Ray Giroux
members of the Watervile Lodge OF
ElkR with which the deceased was af-
fliated. There were many beautiful
flowers for which the family are most
appreclatiye.
Ont of town people present for the
services included the following rela-
tives: Mr. and Mrs. Albert Henry
Gledhill of Wilton. Mr.. and Mrs. Geo
C.. Salt Of Rensselaer,, n. Y and Fred
Sykes of Worcester, Mass, Mr.. and
Mrs. Don V. Messer of Huntington
Mass.