The funeral of Mrs. Giles Mead was held from the M.E. church Sunday afternoon with Rev. John Patrick, presiding. Mrs. Mead died at her home in Herman Friday of old age. She and her husband, who died a few years ago, were pioneer settlers in Washington county and did their part in the early days to build up the substantial part of the county. The funeral was largely attended. The Pilot joins with the many friends of the family in extending its sympathy to the bereaved. Mrs. Mead was born in Courtland county, New York in 1828, and married to Giles Mead in 1848, moved to Iowa City, Ia., in 1854 and to Washington county, Nebr., in 1856. IN 1898 Mr. and Mrs. Mead celebrated their golden wedding. Mrs. Mead was seventy-seven years, eight months and eleven days old at the time of her death. Eight children were born to them, seven of whom are now living. John and Eugene in North Dakota, Albert in California and the remainder, Mrs. A. C. Souder, Mrs. Mary Bunn, Thomas and Frank live in Washington county. At the time of her death the children were all with her except Albert.

#2-20 Sept., 1905 - Blair Courier - Louisa Mead

Mrs. Louisa Mead, widow of the late Giles Mead, died last Friday at the home of her daughter, Mrs. V. Bunn, aged 77 years, 8 months and 11 days. The funeral was held at the Methodist church at 2:30 Sunday afternoon. Rev. Duholm of Herman officiating, assisted by Rev. John Patrick of this city. A large concourse of friends and relatives assembled at the church to pay their last respects to the departed. The pallbearers were old settlers as follows: A Sutherland, W. G. Harrison, Rice Arnold, M.H.B. Rosenbaum, Watson Tyson and Herman Mehrens. Deceased was born Jan. 4, 1828 at Cincinatus, N.Y. and was married there to Giles Mead on October 12, 1848. In 1854 they moved to Iowa City, Ia and two years later came to this county, settling on a farm in Cuming City township. Since the death of her husband in May, 1900, she has lived around with the children in this county, who are: Frank and Mrs. V. Bunn of this city, Mrs. Eli Souder living on the old farm, Tom also living in Cuming City township. John and Eugene at Langford, N.D. and Arthur in California. Mrs. Mead had been afflicted with cancer for about three years and suffered a good deal during the last year, but she bore it bravely and was ready and anxious to meet her Maker when the inevitable hour arrived. Mr. and Mrs. Giles Mead celebrated their golden wedding in 1898 at their home in Herman and all the children were present except Albert and Eugene, who lived in California. All the children were present at the funeral except Albert.

#3-Blair Democrat 21 Sep 1905

Death has once more claimed a pioneer in the person of Mrs. Giles Mead who died last week at the ripe old age of 77 years, 8 months and 11 days. The funeral was held Sunday afternoon from the Methodist church, Re. John Patrick officiating, and interment made in the Blair cemetery beside the remains of her husband who died in 1900. Louisa Fish was born in Cincinnatus, Cortland county, New York, January 4th, 1828, and was married to Giles Mead October 12th, 1848, at the same place. Six years later they moved to Iowa City, Iowa, where they resided until 1856, when they came to Nebraska, settling at Cuming City. A year later they moved on a farm near where Tyson station is now located, where they lived until 1889 when they moved to Blair. In 1891 they moved to Herman where Mr. died in 1900, and where Mrs. Mead continued to live until the 15th of last April when she came to Blair to make her home with her son Frank. Deceased had been suffering from a cancer for the past three years and a couple of months ago was taken out to the home of her daughter, Mrs. C. B. Bunn, where she died. Seven children are left to mourn her death, all of whom, except Albert, were here at the funeral. The children are as follows: John and Eugene who live in North Dakota, Albert in California, and the remainder, Mrs. Ell Souder, Mrs. C. B. Bunn, Thomas and Frank are all residents of this county. The trials and hardships of the pioneer life were gone through with by Mrs. Mead, the real meaning of which few that are now left here really understand. She was a faithful wife, a kind and indulgent mother and all who knew her during life mourn to think she is no more.

~~~ Obituary courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair Public Library at Blair, Nebraska.~~~