Mead, Meril I.

MEAD, NEWLOVE, SHERWIN, STEVENS

Posted By: Volunteer Transcribers
Date: 1/28/2003 at 19:06:56

MERIL I. MEAD. 

There is probably no more energetic or enterprising business man in Lyons than this well known dealer in coal, wood, flour and feed, whose place of business is on First street. He was born in Morrison, Whiteside county, Illinois, February 25, 1856, a son of Meril and Harriet (Newlove) Mead, both of whom were natives of Springfield, Ohio. His paternal grandfather, Allen Mead, was born in Saratoga, New York, and shortly after the close of the war of 1812, in which he took part, he removed to Ohio, becoming one of the pioneers of Huron county. He made his home there only a short time and then went to Clarke county that state, where he spent the remainder of his life. His grandfather was the founder of the family in the new world, having come to this country from England during the eighteenth century. Our subject's maternal grandparents were natives of England and also early settlers of Ohio. Coming west in 1855, Meril Mead, Sr., located in Whiteside county, Illinois, where he followed farming for ten years, and then removed to Morrison where he was engaged in the real estate and insurance business throughout the remainder of his life, and also served as justice of the peace about twenty years. In his political views he was an ardent Republican and did all in his power to promote the interests of his party. He was elected coroner of Whiteside county and filled that office one term. He was an active and prominent member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows from the time he attained his majority, and was the oldest member of the fraternity in Illinois at the time of his death. He died at Morrison in 1891, at the age of seventy years, but his widow still survives him and continues to make her home in that city. They were the parents of six children, of whom our subject is the only son. The others were Elizabeth, who died at the age of thirteen years; Rilla, who died at the age of twenty-eight; Ella, who died at the age of twenty-one; and Harriet and Eliza, twins, who are graduates of the high school of Morrison and still live in that place.

Mr. Mead, whose name introduces this sketch, was reared in his native town, and acquired a good practical education in its high school. At the age of twenty-two he commenced farming in Ustick township, Whiteside county, and continued to follow that pursuit for four years. In 1882 he went to Duluth, Minnesota, where he was engaged in the express and transfer business for three years, and at the end of that time he returned to Whiteside county, Illinois, and purchased a farm at Union Grove, which he operated for eight years. Mr. Mead came to Clinton, Iowa, in 1893, and has since engaged in the coal, wood and ice business. He also handles flour and feeds, and deals in building material, such as cement, plaster, lime and mason's supplies, besides acting as agent for the Acme Packet Company, whose line runs from Clinton to Davenport. He is to-day the oldest coal dealer in North Clinton or Lyons, and is an important factor in her business circles.

In 1878 Mr. Mead led to the marriage altar Miss Amelia Sherwin, also a native of Whiteside county, Illinois, and a daughter of Elijah O. and Mary (Stevens) Sherwin, who were natives of Vermont and Illinois, with exception of Maud, who was born in Duluth, Minnesota. In order of birth they are as follows: Edwin H., an electrician now in the employ of the Bay City Electric Company, of Berkeley, California; Meril; Maud; Mary; John; Mildred and Margaret.

Since attaining his majority Mr. Mead has always affiliated with the Republican party, and served as tax collector in Illinois. Socially he is an honored member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Encampment, the Modern Woodmen of America, while both he and his wife are connected with the Mystic Workers of the World and Royal Neighbors, and he is secretary of both the Odd Fellows lodge and Mystic Workers. While a resident of Lyons a comparatively short time, he has become thoroughly identified with its interests, and is well known as a progressive and reliable business man, one who keeps abreast with the times. All who know him hold him in the highest esteem.
Source: The 1901 Biographical Record of Clinton Co., Iowa, Illustrated published: Chicago : S. J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1901.