Payette County ID Archives Obituaries.....Mellor, William H. 1911
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Cheryl Hanson ihansonb@fmtc.com December 7, 2005, 4:38 pm

Payette Independent 6-22-1911
Payette Independent
Payette, Idaho
Thursday, June 22, 1911

AGED PIONEER PASSES AWAY

Founder of Rock Springs, Wyo dies in Payette - Wm. H. Mellor follows the Wife 
Who Died a Few Months Before

There died in our little city, Tuesday afternoon, June 13th, an aged and 
respected citizen whose life and work are inseparably connected with the early 
history and development of Wyoming. This man was Wm. H. Mellor, born in 
Lancashire, England, in 1832 and coming to America in 1856.

Four years ago Mr. Mellor decided to retire from the activity of business and 
with his wife who had been a loving helpmate for fifty years, builded a home 
in Payette where they might spend the remaining days of their lives among 
their children who have lived here many years. They are Mrs. C. H. Bussey, 
Mrs. Geo. Rezac and Mrs. A. B. Moss.

In a comfortable home, in this beautiful valley of fruits and flowers, 
surrounded by loved ones whose loving hearts and hands were ever ready to 
minister to their wants, with that peace and serenity that comes as the 
benison of faithful live this worthy couple's cup of happiness was filled to 
overflowing. But ? had decreed that they should not long enjoy their new home. 
On January 27, 1911, mother Mellor received the summons and, laying aside the 
affairs of life and bidding a long goodbye to her children and to her husband 
to whom she had been the living wife and helpmate for almost fifty four years, 
sought her touch and sunk into dreamland ? her to awaken in a fairer land.

From the day of her death, until the summons came to the husband and father, 
he constantly longed to be with the wife who had shared his joys and sorrows, 
his fortunes and nonfortunes for so many years. It was no unwelcome news that 
the silent messenger brought to him of the end of his period of waiting. A 
paralytic stroke gave notice that the end had come and that the life work of 
this good husband, father, and citizen was at its close.

With tender hands, ministering to his every want, kind and loving hearts 
unwilling to give him up, did all that love could do to keep him with them, 
but to no avail. At eleven o'clock Tuesday evening, the weary spirit left its 
earthly temple to join the wife who had gone but a little while before.

At his bedside during his last moments, were his children and grand children. 
Of his direct family there were present at the funeral four daughters and two 
sons. Many neighbors and friends were present at the last rites. A short 
service was held at the house, conducted by Rev. Thomas Ashworth and the 
Knights of Pythias took charge of the casket and the ceremony at the grave.

In a volume of the annals of the state of Wyoming and the part taken in its 
development by the prominent men within its border, the following excerpts 
taken:

Wm. H. Mellor received his educational training in Paradise Academy, 
Blackburn, Lancashire, England. When a youth he was employed in the office of 
an attorney in his native town and later in a similar capacity in the office 
of the Blackburn Cotton Manufacturing Company, where he continued until his 
24th year. In 1856 he came to the United States, reaching New York on November 
1st. He engaged in several occupations in the east for a few years and then 
moved to Kewanee, Ill. and engaged in coal mining, and afterwards in Macon 
Co., Mo. In 1864 he returned to his native country remaining until the spring 
of 1865 and came back to Missouri. In 1868 he joined the Wyoming Coal and 
Mining Company and took charge of the company's store at "Point of Rocks" and 
in January 1870 came to Rock Springs and erected the first building in what is 
now one of the most thriving and prosperous towns in Wyoming. Mr. Mellor took 
charge of the company's affairs at this point and in addition to his other 
duties, took the superintendency of the mine. He was soon compelled to devote 
his entire time and attention to the mining interests, which grew in 
importance and magnitude with each recurring year. Meanwhile the town grew 
apace and the influx of population became such that the term city could very 
appropriately be applied and it is now one of the leading mining centers of 
the state. Mr. Mellor was superintendent for 15 years during which time he did 
more than any other man in this section to develop the resources of the 
county. He ably and successfully managed the mines of the company and 
demonstrated abilities which placed him among the leading mining experts of 
the West. Resigning the position in 1886, he embarked into a lucrative cattle 
business until 1894, when he retired from active life.

On June 21st, 1857, in New York City, Mr. Mellor and Elizabeth Scott were 
married. Mrs. Mellor is a native of Cumberland county, England, the daughter 
of Geo. and Mary (Hall) Scott, the father for many years being the head of a 
large shoe business. Six children have been born to them, Fredrick who died in 
1862 aged two years; Ann E; Edward; Charles; Lula; Elizabeth.

No one who knows Mr. Mellor will question his unsullied integrity, his 
devotion to principle or his loyalty in the interests of his fellow men. He 
has seen grown up, around his first humble domicile amid the mountain fastness 
a city of no mean proportions, with every interest of which he has been 
identified. To the growth and development of this thriving city he has 
contributed with a free hand and clear brain, and much of its present 
prosperity is directly attributable to his painstaking efforts. All who come 
within the range of his influence speak in the highest terms of his many 
estimable ? of character, being always foremost in advocating reforms and 
public improvements, making all personal and private interests subordinate to 
the public good. In a very important sense he is the father of Rock Springs, 
as well as one of its most worthy citizens. No person in the state stands 
higher in the esteem of the people.

The foregoing, written while he was still living at Rock Springs, Wyo., 
furnishes a splendid index to his life and character, and of the respect and 
esteem in which he was held by his friends and neighbors after their 
associations with him for forty years. He made many friends in Payette during 
his short time in the city and his loss is keenly felt by all who know him.

Additional Comments:
Note: Burial at Riverside Cemetery. ch

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