Albert I. Eldred

Albert I. Eldred, 80, a downtown Meadville retail business for about 60 years, died at Meadville City Hospital Friday, January 14, 1966.

Mr. Eldred had been ill for several months and had undergone surgery last week.

A native of Spartansburg, he had been operator, along with Mrs. Eldred of Eldred Gift Shop on Chestnut Street.  The shop is on the second floor of the Eldred building, with Wirt's drug store on the main floor.

Moving to Meadville from Spartansburg as a youth, Mr. Eldred attended Meadville Commercial College and Allegheny College.  He was a member of the Class of 1908 at Allegheny College.

Mr. Eldred first became a retailer in the downtown area when he went into the leather goods business with E. L. Grove.  In 1908, after about six years, he purchased the Grove interest and added a line of shoes.

Later, gifts and novelty goods were added and the store was moved upstairs after the Eldred building was constructed.  The Eldred Gift Shop had been in business continuously ever since, except for several recent months when the store was closed because of the illness of both Mr. and Mrs. Eldred.

He was a member of the First Baptist Church, Phi Gamma Delta fraternity and BPO Elks.  He was a 32nd degree Mason.

He was born July 19, 1885, a son of George E. and Ella A. Eldred.  Albert Eldred was married September 9, 1908, to Ruby Marsh of Townville.  Mrs. Eldred, now residing at Flickinger Convalescent Home, survives.

Services were held at Waid Funeral Home.

Interment was in Evergreen Cemetery.