Rash's Surname Index
Notes for William J. WILDE
William J. Wilde (1858 - 1925): Born in Kansas, he was the son of James and Mary Pretty Wilde. While homesteading his father James was struck with pneumonia and died when William was an infant. Mary moved the family back East and two year old William was adopted by Uncle Isaac in Atglen. William received training in cabinetmaking and entered into the family trade. On January 24, 1884 he married Lizzie T. Moore of Atglen. They built a home at 532 1st Ave. in Parkesburg and had two children, Ruth E. Wilde Cowan and James W. Wilde. William continued to operate a furniture store located along the railroad on Front Street in Parkesburg.
William was issued a license to practice undertaking on April 20, 1906 by the State Board of Undertakers. He purchased the business’ last horse drawn hearse in 1912.
During this period most funerals were either held from homes or in churches. Families’ "parlor" rooms were used for funeral viewings and ceremonies. Thus, the phrase funeral parlor still lingers today. Embalming and casketing were often done at the deceased residence as all the equipment was portable. Embalming, which cost $5.00 in 1900, was still an option rather then a requirement for public viewings.
According to his obituary, Mr. Wilde enjoyed daily walks around Parkesburgs’ business section, "... pausing here and there for a friendly little chat with those he met along the way." (Some things never change). It has also been passed down through the family that he enjoyed fishing trips to the Susquehanna River with the Parish Priest from Our Lady of Consolation Church and that they often stopped at the Green Tree Inn for refreshments on the way to the river.
William died on January 23, 1925.
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