F. Harry Ellsworth

F. Harry Ellsworth, 81, the man who has been in charge of Meadville's top-grade water supply for the past half century, died at Spencer Hospital last night.

The superintendent of the city's water department had been a patient at the hospital since May 4.  But ill health forced him to give up active direction of the department at the first of the year.

Up until the city's street-lighting systems was taken over by PA Electric Co. at the beginning of 1951, Ellsworth had held the dual post of superintendent of the light department along with his water department position.

While he was developing the city's water system, he made a natural beauty spot of the pump-house area.  With the help of other city departments, he planted 40,000 pine trees in the wooded area, set up rustic picnic tables and benches and laid out footpaths and roads.

The area, long popular with local picnickers, originally was known as Waterworks Park, but City Council in tribute to the superintendent of water, officially renamed it Ellsworth Park.

Before he joined the water and light department, Ellsworth was with the People's Incandescent Light Co. and the Postal Telegraph Co.

Born in Meadville, December 20, 1870, he was the son of Frederick W. and Genetta Olive Ellsworth.  He was educated in the public schools and later was married to the former Mary Elizabeth Yocum, who survives.

He is also survived by two sons, Robert H. and Richard W., both dentists, and a brother, A. W. Ellisworth, foreman of the city street department.

Harry Ellsworth was a member of the First Presbyterian Church.  He was also a member of the American Waterworks Assn. and the Meadville Round Table.

Services were held at Waid Funeral Home.

Interment was in Greendale Cemetery.