Thayer, Wayne, 1888-1959

THAYER, WALPOLE

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 2/26/2017 at 09:14:25

From the Rock Valley Bee, January 29, 1959:

Wayne Thayer, First 'Phone Company Head, Dies Jan. 15

The man who headed Rock Valley's first telephone company, Wayne Thayer, 70, died in California Thursday, January 15, after a 12 day siege of pneumonia, it was reported here this week. Services for Mr. Thayer were held in Beverly Hills Jan. 17, with several former Rock Valley residents attending.

The deceased moved from Rock Valley about 35 years ago. At one time, he and his father headed the Doon bank.

Mr. Thayer was born in Rock Valley in January of 1888 and lived here most of the time until his move to California. He married the former Gladys Walpole of Rock Valley. During world war 1, he was an army lieutenant. A brother started the first light plant here. Mr. Thayer built the building now occupied by Dr. C. J. Schroeder for his telephone company.

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A similar obituary was published in the Alton Democrat, February 12, 1959. It adds his marriage date, January 1909.