The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1874-11-18
09tgyARY-wILLIAM GOWN.

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/ Mr.. Gown was born in Sheffield, England,
/ in a8a5as OF his boylrooa life we know but
/ little, only that II Was in keeping with the
character developed inhis more mature years.
He camstb this country in 1885, intending TO
stay splysfos . few lponthss but after ars
irving here, he changed his plans and decided
to remain.
He located III Sonerville; N. J.; where his
father resided at the time, and engaged in
business for two or three years. In the Spring
Of 1649, he removed to Lambertvilie, and in
connection with his uncle, Mr. John LAYER
commenced the foundry and machine business
in the building at the head Of Coryell St.,
known as the g Old Foundry" At this time
the population Of Lambertville was only about
twelve or fifteen hundred, there was no rail-
road communication, and the business was
necessarily a light one. Here the business
was carried on for three years, the financial
management being in his hands, and during
the early part Of this time, the prospect was
so unfavorable that man of less hopeful,
temperament would have been discouraged. =
A'ooh ouotitCcS tuVh CdcCu anu III lCuo tu6 ts-
adjustment was removed to more convent
ent location--the present site Of the Lambert
vile Iron Works. In the Spring of 1885, the
partnership between LAYER & Gown was dis
solved, Mr. C's younger brother Charles taxi
ing Mr.. LAYERS interest. In the Fall of the
same year, a sad accident caused the death of
his brother Charles, and thereafter Mr..
G. took the entire control. The growth of
population and business aud the building of
the Belvidere Delaware r. II. brought increas-
ed patronage to the establishment, and
from the employment of ten hands in
1858 the force increased until just pre-
yious to the lease Of the Joint N. J.
Railroads 20 the Penna. r. II. Co. there were
one hundred and fifty hands on the pay roll.
The increase of business brought with it
pecuniary reward, but this did not produce
naughty spirit now serve to interrupt or chill
the cordial friendship which existed between
employer and employed. On the contrary
there was cordiality between them, to the
end, that was as marked as it is unusual.
Notwithstanding the cares incident to
large business, increasing as it increased Mr..
GOWN did not neglect his duties as citizen.
He was foremost in every public work, and
he took deep interest in everything that
pertained to the prosperity of the place and
neighborhood and he was always ready with
purse, as well as with voice, to aid every
beneficial undertaking. The organization Of
the present Fire Department was in a great
measure due to his efforts, in connection with
Al. At - - 4 a
our manufacturing establishments owe their
existence to his aid and fostering care.
tits not strange that SO public-spirited
citizen should be honored by his townsmen.
Mr.. Gown was elected to the office of Town
Superintendent of Public Schools in 1856,
holding the position one year. During 1858,
1860 and 1861 he was q member of the Com
mon Council of the Town, and he WIS three
times elected Mayor, viz in 1865, 1866, and
1867. In 1872 he was appointed Treasurer of
the City, which position he resigned Dec. I'd
of the same year. 1t is scarcely necessary to
say that he filled all these with honor to him
self and to the satisfaction of the people.
For two or three years past his health had
been failing, his disease apparently being a
bronchial difficulty, and he visited various
parts of the world in hope Of relief, which,
however, was only temporary He returned
home last September from visit of nearly a
year IN Europe. ana IL was evident To his
friends that he could not long survive He
gradually grew weaker until Tuesday evening.
Nov. 10th, when he g fell asleep"
He has died in the prime of manhood,
leaving to his friends the record of useful,
an honorable and an unsefsh life.
His was generous nature, and the appeal
of the destitute was never made in vain, but
so unostentatious was he in his charities that
in most instances only the receiver knew the
benefactor.
In early life he made profession of reli-
gion, and his whole after life testified to the
genuneness of that profession. He was con-
nected with the First Presbyterian Church of
this city, and in bis death that church looses
one of its most useful members. He always
manifested a deep interest in the cause of re-
ligion and his sincerity was demonstrated by
the liberality of his contributions in its be-
half. -
Thus we see that his death affects the finan-
cial, the public, the social, the benevolent and
the religious interests of our city. 1t is not,
therefore to be wondered that he was general
iy respected and loved, and that his death is so
generally mourned.
We shall no longer see his pleasant face, SO
often lit up with the smile that won men to
him, or receive the warm grasp Of the hand
which testified his friendship But he will
live in the record of a well-spent life which he
has left behind him.
.E The Democracy ofthis city, New Hope