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George F. Wilder

1850 - 1923

VETERAN RAILROAD MAN PASSES AWAY

Assistant Purchasing Agent for the St. Paul Railroad

Dies at his Home Here

Funeral Services Sunday Afternoon

01 11 1923

George F. Wilder passed away at his home, 301 Fifth Street shortly before 5 o’clock Thursday afternoon after an illness of five months duration. Although Mr. Wilder spent the greater part of his time out of the city because of his connection with the St. Paul railroad, he always maintained his home here and was known to many of our citizens who will learn with regret of his death.

The decedent was born on a farm in the town of Watertown, December 4, 1950, a son of the late Otis M. and Sophia M. Wilder, and at the age of three years he moved with his parents to this city. He grew to manhood here and in 1870 he became an employee of the St. Paul railroad and remained with the company until his death. For the last thirty years, Mr. Wilder was assistant purchasing agent for the St. Paul Road spending the greater part of his time on the Pacific coast and making Seattle his headquarters.

He was a member of Lincoln Lodge No. 20 Knights of Pythias and of the Arctic club of Seattle. Surviving him are two sisters, Mrs. D. A. Hadley of Oconomowoc and Miss Ella Wilder of this city.

Mr. Wilder was a genuine citizen in every respect and to know him was to know a man of high ideals and firm and honorable convictions; one shoes loyalty to his friends was not to be questioned and one who performed conscientiously every task which duty placed before him. Although quiet and unassuming Mr. Wilder was a success in his undertaking and established friendships which lasted until death summoned him from this earthly sphere.

The funeral will take place Sunday afternoon at 2:30 o’clock at the home. The Rev. N. Carter Daniell will officiate. The ceremony at the grave will be in charge of the Knights of Pythias.

Burial will be in Oak Hill cemetery.

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DEATH OF GEORGE WILDER

Assistant Purchasing Agent For

The C. M. St. P. Ry.

01 18 1923

Thursday afternoon, January 11, 1928, shortly before 5 o’clock, George F. Wilder died at his home, 301 Fifth Street, at the close of an illness of over five months. Mr. Wilder’s death was learned of here by his many old friends with great sorrow, and when the news of his death was flashed along the different lines of the C. M. & St. P. Ry., return messages and letters began to pour into his old home to his sister, Miss Ella Wilder, who kept the old house in tact since the death of her mother a few years ago, expressing regret on the death of her brother and their sincere sympathy to herself. The kindly messages, so feelingly worded, testified in a great measure how much beloved was Mr. Wilder by his friends and associates.

Deceased was born on a farm in the town of Watertown, December 4, 1850, son the late Otis M. and Sophia M. Wilder, and when three years old removed to this city with his parents, where he was educated, and in 1870 he entered the employ of the C. M. & St. P. Ry. Co., and remained in the employ of the company up to the time of his death, rising from an inferior position by his own efforts to one of great responsibility and one that required great judgment and tact, a position that he filled honorably and well. For 80 years previous to his death he was assistant purchasing agent of the C. M. & St. P. Ry., passing the greater portion of his time on the Pacific coast, making his headquarters at Seattle.

During all these years he claimed Watertown as his home and with great brotherly love made frequent visits to his old home here presided over by his sister, since the death of his mother a few years ago. He is survived by two sisters, Mrs. D. A. Hadley, wife of Dr. Hadley of Oconomowoc, and Miss Ella Wilder of this city.

Sunday his funeral was held from his later home in 5th street under the auspices of the Knights of Pythias. Rev. N. Carter Daniell, pastor of the Congregational Church, conducted the services at the home and several beautiful vocal selections were rendered by the Knights of Pythias quartette, both at the home and at the grave of the departed.

The interment was in Oak Hill cemetery, the services there being conducted by the Knights of Pythias, Rev. Daniell pronouncing the final benediction.

The funeral was very largely attended, their being friends from nearby towns, and many of the C. M. & St. P. Ry. men from various sections of the country were present. The floral offerings from friends from far and near were many and very beautiful. Mr. Wilder’s death is sincerely mourned wherever he was known, and his acquaintance extended to thousands of people from Watertown to the Pacific coast along the lines of the C. M. & St. P. Ry., his business dealings for his road bringing him in contact with many people.

Though he suffered many months, his final passing away seemed very peaceful, though he realized a few days before and remarked to his sister, Ella, that his end was near. Very few men enjoyed the esteem and respect of his acquaintances as did George Wilder. He was honest in his business dealings with others, kind and genial with everyone. His devotion to his sisters was truly edifying, and he lived a moral, exemplary life, and surely for such a man there is a great reward in the hereafter. He has passed from earth, but he will live in the memory of his friends for many a day. His noble character, his influence for good will survive him