Mineola in Wood County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Harry W. Meredith

Photographed By Mark Hilton, September 1, 2019

1. Harry W. Meredith Marker

Inscription. Kentucky native Harry Meredith (1871-1962) attended business college in Illinois and was owner-operator of a brick plant in his hometown of Leitchfield before moving to Mineola, Texas, with his wife, Mary Henri Hunter, by 1907.

Meredith entered the banking business in 1908, when he became associated with Mineola State Bank. He served as its president until the financial institution merged with First National Bank in 1932, at which time he became a director and served as chairman of the board for the remainder of his life. During the early 1920s, the Merediths built a home at this site and Harry served as the city's mayor (1920-1922). After his first wife's death in 1932, Meredith married Daisy Warren Nelson (d. 1954) in 1943.

Harry Meredith's legacy of philanthropy began in the 1940s, when he gave money to build two dormitories at the Methodist Children's Home in Waco. After his third wife, Jennie Burge Hurdle, died in 1958, Harry organized the Meredith Foundation to fund a variety of civic projects in Mineola for the use and enjoyment of its citizens. Over the years, the Meredith Foundation has helped to build and operate the public library and the civic center. Funds have also been used for the benefit of Mineola's youth, the arts and churches, among other charitable causes.

Harry Meredith died in 1962 and is buried

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in the city cemetery. His significant impact on the city's life, however, continues through the work of the foundation.

Erected 2001 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 12602.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Charity & Public Work • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1907.

Location. 32° 39.939′ N, 95° 29.308′ W. Marker is in Mineola, Texas, in Wood County. Marker is at the intersection of North Johnson Street and East Blair Street, on the right when traveling north on North Johnson Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 306 North Johnson Street, Mineola TX 75773, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Mineola Public Library (within shouting distance of this marker); First Baptist Church of Mineola (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Site of Barney B. Hart House (about 400 feet away); Sarah Rosalie Patten Buchanan (about 400 feet away); First National Bank of Mineola (about 400 feet away); Dr Pepper Bottling Plant (about 500 feet away); Birthplace of Miss Ima Hogg (about 500 feet away); The Thomas Breen Family (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mineola.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, September 1, 2019

2. Harry W. Meredith Marker

Also see . . .
1. The Life of Harry W. Meredith – Part I (The Hawkins-Holly Lake Gazette). (Submitted on September 6, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)
2. The Life of Harry W. Meredith – Part II (The Hawkins-Holly Lake Gazette). (Submitted on September 6, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)
3. The Life of Harry W. Meredith – Part III (The Hawkins-Holly Lake Gazette). (Submitted on September 6, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

Credits. This page was last revised on December 23, 2019. It was originally submitted on September 6, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 338 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 6, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.