Obituaries
WILLIAM S. MEAD, CIVIL WAR VETERAN, DIED FRIDAY
William Stanley Mead - son of John Brooks Mead and Jane A. Ashcraft Mead of Daviess County
Owen County Leader Thursday January 3, 1935
Submitted by Donna Tauber
Highly Esteemed Citizen Called by Death - Was Prisoner In Andersonville During War
William Stanley Mead, 89 years old, a Civil War Veteran, died at his home here Friday noon following an illness of several weeks. During the past year, his health had failed noticeably. Born April 16, 1846, near Washington, Indiana, he spent his early life there. At the outbreak of the Rebellion, he tried to enlist in the army, but was turned down on account of his age and small stature. On the third attempt he was accepted as a volunteer and was assigned to County E. 6th Indiana Infantry. He was never in the hospital and did not miss a day's duty in the 3½ years of his service. In 1864 he spent several months in Andersonville prison in southern Georgia. At that time he was but 17 years old. A few years ago he and his daughter Jessie, made a visit to the old prison pen, his first since his release from the place. He thoroughly enjoyed the trip and his memory still keenly alive and he located various spots in the prison park where certain events had transpired. In the course of his army service he was advanced to Color Sergeant of the 6th Indiana and was in the first group of troops to scale the heights at Missionary Ridge in that memorable charge. Mr. Mead came to Spencer some time after the war's close and has remained here since. He has been actively identified in many enterprises during these years. For several years he operated a stove factory and later installed the light plant, which he operated for several years, selling out finally to a Cincinnati plant. At the time of his death he was superintendent of beautiful Riverside Cemetery at Spencer, one of the most beautiful burial grounds in Indiana, developed under his careful, systematic work. He served one term as President of the Indiana Association of Cemetery Superintendents. He attended meetings of cemetery officials in Los Angeles and New York, and many places between, always alive to learning new ideas of beautification. He was also active in State and National Grand Army affairs and was an aspirant to the state commanders post and was a runner up on two occasions. Stanley Mead stood high in the esteem of all who knew him. His advancing years in no way served to curtail neither his interest in affairs nor his activity in these affairs. His mind was always alert and his energy sought to keep pace with his ideas. Only the infirmities of age could slow up his physical activities. A daughter, Mary Mead Hammond of Indianapolis, was ill and could not attend. Mr. Hammond and son Stanley Mead Hammond were present. A son, Cyrus D. Mead, of Berkley California, could not be there. As the sun sank into the west the body of this splendid citizen was laid to rest beside the wife who precede him two years ago.
Funeral of William S. Mead
Military Funeral, Accorded Veteran of Civil War Sunday, An Impressive Ceremony; State G.A.R. Men Present; United Methodist Church Packed
Owen County Leader Thursday January 3, 1935
Submitted by Donna Tauber
Highly Esteemed Citizen Called by Death - Was Prisoner In Andersonville During War
The funeral of W.S. Mead Sunday was one of the most impressive services ever witnessed here. The Methodist Church was filled to capacity, with many standing around the walls, unable to find seats. The American Legion had promised Mr. Mead a military funeral and it was carried out to the letter. His distinguished record as a soldier of the Civil War entitled him to full military honors. A legion drum and bugle corps from Bloomington was present; a guard of honor made up of local Legion men; four gray haired veterans, three of them from Indianapolis, one from Ellettsville, performed the ritualistic service of the Grand Army at the Church. It was all very impressing and touching. At the ceremony the Masons performed their burial ritual in full and the guard of honor then fired the three- volley salute and the bugler sounded taps. And during the long graveside service the crowd stood in the biting wind to pay their last honors to a citizen and a soldier deserving of all honor. The pall bearers were Von Schamlz Bruce Mathes and L.E. Hubbard of the Legion, James Rice, Enoch Gray and F.E. Bourne of the Masonic Temple. Reverend C.R. Stout, pastor, gave the scripture reading; Dr. R.H. Richards of Patricksburg, a nephew, read a memorial sketch of Mr. Mead; Reverend M.V. Foster of Linton, a former Christian pastor here, delivered the eulogy sermon and expressed his deep affection for the deceased.
AT MEAD FUNERAL
Among those who attended the funeral of W.S. Mead here Sunday were Mr. And Mrs. J.W. Williams, Mrs. H.H. Dutton and two daughters, all of Martinsville, Mr. And Mrs. Ed F. White, Mr. And Mrs. Frank White of Quincy, Robert Willoughby of near Crawfordsville, Major D.I. McCormick of Indianapolis and Levi A. Beem. A nephew, Mrs. J.E. Leapley, a neice, both of Indianapolis; D.E. Mead and daughter, Mrs. S.O. Tibbs, of Bedford; Mr. And Mrs. Elwood Williams and daughter, Eleanor, Dr. and Mrs. U.T. Steinhart, E.E. Mead and son Earnest, Ira J. Mead and Miss Lily Mead, all of Washington, Indiana; Mr. And Mrs. Joseph B. Henninger, James Bird, David Kinney and son, all of Indianapolis, and I.N. May of Ellettsville.
CARD OF THANKS
We wish to express our great appreciation of the kind and efficient helpfulness of the American Legion, the State Department of the G.A.R., Masonic Lodge and other organizations and friends during the illness and funeral services of our father.
- The Mead Family