Born: 1848
Died: April 9, 1883
Married:
Children:
Edwin R. Derby bought Hough's on Upper Saranac Lake and renamed it the Prospect House. After his death, his widow sold it to Dr. Sam Ward and renamed the Saranac Inn. He is buried in Brookside Cemetery.
Plattsburgh Sentinel, April 20, 1883
The Funeral of E. R. Derby.
The funeral service over the remains of E. R. Derby, the late popular proprietor of the Prospect House, Upper Saranac lake, were held at the Methodist church at Bloomingdale on Friday of last week. The sermon was preached by Presiding Elder Bond of Plattsburgh, who spoke in glowing terms of the fine qualities and manly traits of character, the generous hospitality and splendid business capacity of the deceased. As an illustration of the force and influence of his life Elder Bond pointed to the throng of people who, with mournful countenances, filled the church to overflowing and gathered around the doors and windows and extended out into the street, eagerly striving to catch each word that referred to their dead friend. Mr. Derby was buried with Masonic honors. The Elizabethtown lodge, of which he was a member, was joined by representatives from ten other lodges, making a demonstration that is rarely seen at a point so inconvenient of access. Mr. Derby had by rare foresight and energy amassed a handsome property and done much to make the Adirondacks attractive to summer tourists, and many an eye will moisten at the mournful news of his sudden death. Mr. Derby had been in poor health for some weeks, but felt impelled by the near approach of the fishing season to visit New York to make purchases preparatory to opening the Prospect House for the season. The clerk at the hospital where he died was particularly kind to the friends of Mr. Derby, who went with authority to remove the body.
