William H. Mead - Oakland

William H. Mead (c.1838 – June 17, 1906) was the secretary of the Contra Costa Water Company for 32 years. He was also secretary for the H & W Pierce Co. in San Francisco for 40 years.

Family

Mead was born in Connecticut. Mead married Ariana Mitchell (Mead) (1840 – 1917) and they six children, Carrie R. Mead (1863 – 1920), William Mead (1866 – ?), Nellie Mead (1869 – 1880), Daisy Ariana Mead (Jackson) (1871 – 1966), Sue Belle ("Susie") Mead (1875 – ?), and Ralph Mead (1878 – 1881). According to the 1880 census, the family was living in San Francisco and Ariana's mother Lydia Mitchell was living with them. From at least 1906 at Mead's death to the 1912 directory, the widowed Ariana was living at 601 Oakland Avenue. In 1925, Daisy and her husband Horace Jackson were living at 601 Oakland Avenue.

Death and Burial

Mead and his family are buried in Mountain View Cemetery in plot 12. There is a statue of a cherub and a poignant grave marker for Ralph and Nellie ("Our Little Ralph & His Loving Sister Nellie"), who both died young. Ralph died July 27, 1881 aged 3 years, 2 months, 27 days, and Nellie died November 2, 1880(?), aged 12 years, 7 months.

Also buried there are Ellis Milne Jackson and Thornton M. Jackson.

Mead family grave
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