Silas E. Mead Died At His Home Wednesday Last (1916)

Source: Greenwich News and Graphic. Friday, August 26, 1916. Page 1.

End Came After Extended Illness in His 73rd Year-A Prominent Citizen

A complication of diseases, the result of old age, caused the death on Wednesday afternoon of Silas E. Mead at his home, 124 Putnam avenue, in he 73rd year of his age. The death of Mr. Mead removes from the community one of its best known and most prominent citizens, one who was born and lived here practically his entire life and a man who has held many positions of public trust.

While those intimate with Mr. Mead have realized for some time that his health was such that recovery was unlikely, the news of his death came as a shock to his many acquaintances. Mr. Mead had a wide acquaintance in Greenwich and he was loved and respected for his upright and honorable administration of affairs, both in his private life and while a servant of the public in positions of trust which he held during his long and useful career. He knew Greenwich, as few men have known it, and when he became reminiscent many interesting bits of early local history ere enjoyed by those who were fortunate in hearing him.

He is survived by a widow, and a brother, Ezekiel Mead of Greenwich, and one daughter, Mrs. George Feltus, of Elmwood, L.I.

Silas E. Mead was born on March 15, 1844, in the old Clapboard Ridge school district and he received a common school education during the early years of his life. A son of Silas D. Mead and Althea Close he was a descendant of one of the oldest families in the country, the Mead's having been among the original colonists. Later, Mr. Mead received a course of training at North Greenwich Academy after which he lived as a farmer until August 14, 1862, when he enlisted in the First Connecticut regiment, 10th Co. C.V.I. in the Civil war.

Silas E. Mead's home, Clover Farm, John Street Greenwich. 

He served with honor and credit throughout the war and saw much active service during the campaigns of that struggle. He was honorably discharged at Richmond, Va., on June 20, 1865, and returned to his home in Greenwich. He married Miss Cornelia Wilcox on September 12, 1867, and lived on Round Hill at his father's estate for many years.

He was a deacon in the North Greenwich Congregational church and an active member all his life. He served on the Greenwich school committee for years and also on the board of assessors and board of burgesses.

The funeral will be held form his late home Saturday at 3 P.M. and Rev. Levi Rogers will officiate. Internment will be at Putnam cemetery. [Note: Internment was held in the cemetery adjacent to the Second Congregational Church, not Putnam Cemetery). 

E. Belcher Mead Estate Valued at $240,000 (1916)

Source: Greenwich News and Graphic. December 29, 1916. Page 1.

Will Names Widow as Chief Beneficiary-Children Also Provided For

The will of the late E. Belcher Mead, one time representative to the state legislature, who recently died while on a pleasure trip to Havana, Cuba, has been admitted to probate by Judge Stephen Radford. According to the petition filed the deceased left real setae valued at $40,000 and personal property to the value of $200,000. The widow is the chief beneficiary under the provisions of the will.

A sister, Elizabeth H. Mead, will receive $2,000 and a brother, Abram Mead, will receive a life amount. Another brother, Elkanah Mead, will receive $5,000.

The widow is named as executrix in the will to serve without bond. She is directed to deposit $100 in the Greenwich Trust Co., the income from which will be used for the upkeep of the burial plot of the family.

Twenty-five thousand dollars is to be held in trust for the support, education and enjoyment of each of the two children of th deceased, E. Maud Mead, thirteen, and Bradford B. Mead, ten. The income from the funds will be used for the purpose mentioned above and when the beneficiaries attain the age of thirty they will receive the trust fund.

The remainder of the estate is left to Mrs. Mead, widow of the deceased. Judge F.A. Hubbard, a close friend of the deceased, and who was with him when he died, is named as attorney for the estate in the will. The will was drawn November 22, 1916, a few days before Mr. Mead left on his southern cruise and it was witnessed by Bessie S. Sims, W.S. Boswell and D.W. Wood. 

Senator James R. Mead Unanimously Renominated (1916)

Source: Greenwich News and Graphic. Friday, October 13, 1916. Page 1

The Republican Senatorial convention for the twenty-seventh district was held at Town Hall on Tuesday, and Senator James R. Mead, of Greenwich, was unanimously renominated as a candidate for the office. The name of Judge Mead was placed in nomination by Judge Charles Cameron who reviewed the record of the nominee and urged his denomination as an able and trustworthy representative of the district.

A.A. Steele of Stamford was chosen chairman of the convention. Attorney David Brelley, from Stamford, seconded the nomination of Judge Mead. There was no other candidate.

When the convention was over the delegates assembled at the Indian Harbor Yacht Club, where dinner was served.

Senator Mead is a prominent attorney of this town and was born and has always lived in Greenwich. He has been identified with the interests of Greenwich for many years, having served as town clerk for seventeen years. He was a member of the General Assembly in 1903, being chairman of the insurance committee and also a member of the once famous committee appointed to divide the congressional and senatorial districts. Mr. Mead was judge of the Borough Court from 1899 to 1901; assistant prosecuting attorney for about ten years; warden of the borough for two terms, member of the board of burgesses for ten years, and is the present judge of the Borough Court. Aside from the political honors bestowed upon Judge Mead, he is president of the Putnam Cemetery Association, vice-president of the New C____ Water Company, and was vice-president of the Mianus Manufacturing Company for many years. Being a large real estate owner in Greenwich, Mr. Mead has always been deeply interested in the welfare of the town and ____  highly honored and respected by all who know him. Two years ago he was elected senator from this senatorial district, and his work during the last session of the General Assembly was highly satisfactory to his constituency. The NEWS AND GRAPHIC predicts that Senator Mead will be re-elected  to represent this district by a larger majority than he received two years ago.