by Laurel | May 12th, 2010
Elisha Adelbert Still
Pictured above is one of my favorite tombstones in Forestdale cemetery, situated in the circle section. I love the intricacy of the stone and for many years wondered about Elisha Adelbert Still for whom the stone memorializes. It was not a name recognizable to me as far as familiar Holyoke names are concerned. What follows, in Still’s obituary, is a little information about him. Oddly, his New York City address was quite close to where I lived in the city and I used to pass by the building almost daily.
July 22, 1906
Death of Elisha A. Still
New York Man Dies at Home of His Brother in Holyoke.
Elisha Adelbert Still, 51, a prominent resident of New York, died yesterday morning at the home of his brother Isaac W. Still of 215 Elm street in Holyoke. Mr. Still was taken ill over a year ago, which with ensuing complications caused his death. He was the youngest of 10 children born to William N., and Mary Wright Still, and was born at Willington, Ct., June 23, 1851. He entered the employ of the Merrick thread company in 1866 , and after familiarizing himself with all branches of the business became traveling salesman for the company, building up a large business through New England.
When in 1882 the company decided to open up an office in Chicago Mr. Still was selected to have charge and manage that branch, and was successful in building up a large business for the company through the West, remaining there until 1889, when he removed to New York. The Merrick thread company having become a division of the American thread company, Mr. Still from the time of its inception was prominently identified with the movement, and was vice-president of the new company. Mr. Still lived at 348 Central Park West, New York, was a member of the Calvary Baptist church, of the advisory board of the Greenwich bank, of the Union League club of Chicago and the Wool club of New York City. He was a man of strict integrity, and was respected by all with whom he came in contact. He leaves a widow, who was before marriage Miss Grace Phelps of Chicago, three brothers, Isaac W. and E. C. Still of Holyoke and J. H. Still of Vineland, N. J., three sisters, Mrs. George Church of Muncie Ill., Mrs. D. M. Church of Willimantic, Ct., and Mrs. Lucien Clark of West Willington, Ct. The funeral will be held to-morrow afternoon and Rev. J. S. Lyon will officiate. The burial will be in Forestdale cemetery.
From The Springfield Republican.
