Obit Index

The Daily Oklahoman
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
December 29, 1907
page 1

Thomas P. Mellon Is Dead

Starts With Few Hundred Dollars and Defying Ravages of Disease, Amasses Great Fortune

Died
Thomas Peabody Mellon
December 28, 1907

Thomas Peabody Mellon, proprietor of the Mellon Dry Goods company and one of the well known merchants of Oklahoma City, died at 1:25 o'clock yesterday afternoon at his home, 135 West Tenth street.

Mr. Mellon had been a victim of consumption for a number of years. He had suffered a severe attack of the malady a month ago, but had improved and Christmas day was able to go out driving. Friday evening he suffered a relapse from the effects of which he succumbed.

Mr. Mellon was a member of the well known Pittsburg family of that name. His mother and sister still reside there. They are expected to arrive this morning. The funeral will take place at 2:30 o'clock tomorrow afternoon from the residence.

Mr. Mellon was born in 1869 at a steamboat land at what is now Beaumont, Texas. His father, who had emigrated from Ireland at the age of ten, owned the first and only store in that place.

Mr. Mellon started in business for himself in Temple, Texas, in 1882, $800 representing his means at that time. He came to Oklahoma City in 1899, and opened a racket store at 138 West Main street. His business rise since coming to Oklahoma City has been phenomenal. In 1901 he purchaser (sic) the present location at 204-6 West Main street. He has increased the capacity of the building several times as the growth of his business demanded it, being engaged at the time of his death adding a third story to the building. He married in 1902 to Miss Mary E. Phelps. There is one child, a girl, 3 years old.

Mr. Mellon was possessed of an indomitable will. He sat at his desk on my occisions (sic), his body racked with pain, and directed the work of the great establishment which his own courage and unusual business sagacity have made possible.