Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-06-24

William H. Reid, respected and
revered by citizens of Augusta anu
throughout the State as gentle
man of splendid character and most
genial and affable friendliness,
passed away at his home on Western
Avenue at 2.45 o'clock Wednesday
morning, aged 81 years. He had
been in failing health for some
months though the illness which re-
suited in his death yesterday morn
ing was of but a few weeks dura-
ton.
With the death of William II.
Reid, citizens of Augusta will mourn
the passing of one of their most
respected fellowtownsmen; a man
of highest moral character, strictly
ethical in business and social rela-
tions. and a craftsman of the old
school.
He Is survived by the widow and
by two sons and one daughter, Ed
win S. Reid, Junior member of the
firm OF Taber and Reid of this city;
Harry w. Reid of Concord, N. H..
and the daughter, Mrs. E. Maynard
Thompson of Augusta; also by three
grand children, William S. Reid and
Elizabeth H. Reid of Augusta, and
Frances e. Reid of Concord, N. H.
81, 1899, in ST. John, n. B., was APP
presticed at an early age to a book
binder. That was in times when an
apprenticeship meant real hard
work with poor wages and an iron
clad contract to stay with the busi-
ness for six years. Under such con-
ditions a man was bound to learn
every department of the business
and this Mr.. Reid certainly did. The
work at that time was all done by
hand and was of a quality far SUI
perior to the machine work Of to-
day.
After learning the business in the
Mcmillan Bindery in st. John and
working in various binderies in st.
John, Mr.. Reid went to Halifax
where he secured employment at his
trade. While there he prepared some
particularly nice work which was
entered in an exhibition and was de-
clared by experts to be "as good as
any English work." which was praise
indeed.
While living in ST. John. Mr.. Reid
married Pamela Wood on May Is,
1868, and eight years later he and
his wife came to Augusta to make
their home. She died rs years ago.
and on November IS, 1908, he was
united in marriage to Agnes Ster-
ling, who survives him. The three
children were born of the first I'M
/, ion.
After coming to Augusta Mr.. Reid
took over the management OF the
I Smith and Son bindery here and q
few years later he bought an interest
in the business. For several years 1t
was conducted under the name OF
Smith~and Reid and upon the death
of Smith he bought the remainder
of the stock. The concern was then
named the Maine State Book Bind
cry and under that name it was con-
Quoted until Mr.. Reid decide to re-
tire in 1922 an sold the business to
the Kennebec Journal Company.
He has been prominent in city
affairs at various times having held
, offices in the city government and
served one term as city assessor. He
is a member of the local Masonic
lodges, Shriner, Odd Fellow. Elk
and A. o. L. W., and was an hon
orary member of the Augusta HI
wants Club.
William II. Reid was one Of the
first to recognize the natural beauty
and future possibilities of Lake
| Cobbosseecontee and became a
| summer resident at the original
Hammond's Grove colony in 1887,
| long before the days of the Augusta
! Winthrop electric car line or the
rapid automobile transportation. In
! the two score years since that time
, he enjoyed many seasons at the lake
/ side. and in token of their respect
| many friends addressed him as
| Commodore Mr.. Reid was hoping
to get out to his cottage at the
/ Grove this summer. where he believ-
! ed the illness which kept him to
| the house would fade before natures
, healing balms.
| The funeral services will be held
at IL o'clock Friday morning from
the home, Western Avenue.