Pilot 3 Oct 1904

James H. Mead, whose death occurred Friday morning was born at Dryden, New York, October 11 1838. He was married at Marengo, Iowa, in 1866 on July 4th. His wife and four children survive him, the children being Guy K., Chas. R., Gertrude and Ethel. On August 12, 1862, Mr. Mead joined Co. E 24th Iowa and served till the end of the war being mustered out a lieutenant. In 1882 he moved with his family to Washington county where they have since resided. Forty-five years ago he joined the M.E. church and for forty years of that time he has been a member of the choir. There is no man in Blair who was better liked than was Mr. Mead. He was a member of several lodges and his advice and counsel was always sought and wherever he went it was to meet friends and his general demeanor was such as to intensify the bonds of friendship between himself and his acquaintances.

Blair Republican 6 Oct 1904

After many weeks of intense suffering from Brights disease the end finally came at 5 o’clock Friday morning and the spirit of James H. Mead was at rest. The funeral services were held in the Methodist church at 3 o’clock on Sunday afternoon, Rev. J. L. Vallow, formerly of this city but now of Fullerton, Neb., officiating, assisted by Rev. n. J. Markley, the present pastor. The body was escorted from the residence to the church by a large delegation of Masons and a delegation from the W.O.W. lodge. The G.A.R. also attended the service in a body. The church was crowded to the doors with the many friends of the deceased who were anxious to pay a last tribute to his memory. The procession to the cemetery was one of the longest the writer has ever witnessed and shows the high esteem in which Mr. Mead was held by all. The usual Masonic service was conducted at the grave. Mr. Mead was born at Dryden, New York on Oct. 11, 1838 and in early life moved to Iowa. On August 12 1862 he was enlisted in Co. E., 24th Iowa infantry and served faithfully until the close of the war having taken part in the last battle of the war at Palmetto Ranch, Texas. Mr. Mead had risen to the rank of lieutenant and served in this last battle as captain. On July 4th, 1866 he was married to Miss Ellen E. Kepner at Merengo, Iowa, and to this union four children were born, Guy K., Charles R., Gertrude and Ethel, and all are now living in this city. John and Giles Mead, brothers of the deceased, came to this county in an early day but James H. did not come until 1882, settling first at Herman and five years later came to this city where he has since lived. He was a devoted member of the Methodist church for over forty-five years and having a splendid tenor voice has always sung in the church choir wherever located. He had also been a member of the G.A.R. for many years, carried $1,000 insurance in the W.O.W. lodge and some two years ago took the first three degrees in Masonry. Mr. Mead was always an honest and conscientious citizen of the best type, loyal to his church, his lodge and his friends and the splendid life he lived will not soon be forgotten by those who were fortunate enough to know him. - Courier

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

Find a Grave Memorial #57412149