Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-11-10
Oldest Citizen
Of Waterville, Aged
SO Years. Dies

Edward G. Meader, the oldest citi-
zen of Waterville died at his home
212 Lain street at ne age of 80,
Saturday morning at 12.45 o'clock
after an illness of almost three years.
Mr.. Meader was born in Farming
ton. n. H., Oct. 81. 1925. the son of
Mr.. and Mrs. Nathaniel Meader. but
as the family moved to Dover, n. H..
in 1926. Mr.. Meader's toyhood was
spent in that town where he attend
ed the public schools until he was IL
years old. He then went to Provi-
dence. r. J.. where he entered the
Friends school. In 1910 at the age
of Is, he became clerk in a general
store in Dover. a position which he
held for four ye-rs when he went to
Providence to engage in the same
occupation.
Mr.. Meader came to Watervilfe in
1S4S and engaged in the dry goods
business with George A. Phillips and
William Blake under the firm name
; of Meader and Phillips. continuing
the business until 1869. The year af-
ter Mr.. Meader came to Waterville
the first railroad line into the city
was constructed and the year before
in 1S47 the Coolidge murder. Water
ville's one and only murder was per-
petrated. The dry goods business
| was conducted in the block now
known as the Wardwell Dry Goods
Co. block and the firm built the
building for the purpose. 1t is inter-
esting to know that the value of this
property at that time was given as
| $4,000, $4,000 for the brick building
and $1,000 for the land and that it
al,,ot he hnnlyc
of the firm until the partners dis
banded. Mr. Blake retired from the
firm in 1852 and Mr.. Phillips in 1866
Mr.. Meader continuing the business
| for three more years and then SELL
ing to Charles r. McFadden.
On Nov. IA, 1854 MI. Meader was
| united in marriage to Miss Helen A
| Smith, daughter of General Franklin
Smith. General Smith died in 1855
at the ag> of sc and Mrs. Meader
died several years ago.
Four children were born to Mr.
and Mrs. Meader, Edward L. AND
| Emily p. who graduated from Colby
college in the class Of 1873 and Helen
! s., and Arthur r. Miss Helen S
| Meader is the only survivor and she
| has devoted years of service to her
| 1atner ana 10 ner HnOtHeT up " tHe
! time of her death.
After Mr.. Meader had sold out his
| dry goods business he entered part
nership with his father in law, Cen
| eral Smith in the manufacture and
| sale of lumber and continued in this
| business until the firm dissolved In
| 1880
Mr.. Meader was TIL, oldest living
! past master of Waterville lodge, f
| and A. NJ, being elected to the office
, Of Master for two ye-.rs, 1858 and
. 1859. He was also member Of the
other Masonic bodies for many years
Mr.. Meader was possessor of won
derful mentality, and had always
been a reader of fine literature, BIZ
ographies and histories.
i III, knew more about more things
| than any man I know" declared DR.
| Frederick c. Thayer. a close friend
and neighbor of Mr.. Meader for many
| years. His memory was remarkable
and he could recour- incidents OF
| more than half century ago as
, plainly as he would remember the
events of yesterday.
For many years Mr.. Meader resid
ed in the Meader mansion on Main
street regarded by many as the most
beautiful residence in the city.
Besides his daughter. Miss Helen
Smith Meader leaves four grandsons
Edward F. and Philip Meader OF
Chester. Pa. carl and Fred Thayer
of this city.
The funeral services will be held
| Tuesday afternoon at . o'clock.