The Wilmingtonian., 1888-05-19
Victor Dupont Dead.

noon of the death of Victor Dupont at his
residence 91S Delaware Avenue, after
protracted illness beginning about four years
ago with Paralysis and ending with Brights
Disease and Pnuemonia. We have bcen
reminded several times In the last few weeks
that the messenger death does not call alone
at the poor man cot but .he Lawyer, the
Statesman, the Politician, the Prominent
business man alike are called.
Death is no respecter Of persons the sub
jent of this memoir was born at Louviers
Brandywine Hundred, New Castle County,
Delaware May 18th 1928.
In his religious associations he was al
member of the Protestant Episcopal Church
and for many years vestrynan of Trinity
parish. He was very charitable man, CIV
ing liberaly to all good works. In his ohari-
table giving to the poor he obeyed the Scrip
tural injunction hiding from the left hand
what his right had did. Many there are
who will long remember his generosity and
mourn his loss.
His domestic relations were Of the hap
piest char acter. He was passonately fond
of his own people. To his children he sus-
tanned the relation of an intimate friend and
associate. With his elder sons this was
marked feature of his domestic life. They
met with the freedom and frankness OF
brothers aud the confidence between them
was full and unbroken. At the age of 23 ho
was married to Miss Alice Hounsield, who
with eight children, three sons and five
daughters, survive him.
In politics he was reareda Wing, as his
father and all OF the dupont family in this
State had been, from their earliest settle
ment in Delaware, ardent aud prominent
members of that party and of the old Fed
eral party, which proceeded It,. But when
the Kuow-nothing party arose to practise
the spirit of prescription against tie op-
pressed of foreign lands, who, like his
French ancestors, sought refuge here,
young Victor became member of the Demo-
cratic party, to whicn he continued to be
zealously and consistently devoted.
He had always been exceedingly popular
and influential in his party, and yet had
constantly refused to accept any office of
prominence or profit. On several occasions
he had been urged for governor of the State,
and, in 1874, and again In 1886, would have
been unanimously nominated, and certainly
elected but for his exprAa .-~} ~-.lterable
declination. He was also strongly pressed
to become candidate for United States
Senator, but in each instance refused.
The only political positions which he had
I ever been induced to accept were as free
from such an objection as the were devoid
of profit, viz: Member of the board Of visi-
tors to West Point Military Academy in 1850
and Presidential elector for Delawars In the
Mcclellan campaign of 1904,
Among practical business aud financial
men he had long stood in high reputo as q
sound and sagacious adviser and successful
manager. In this respect he seemed to pos
sess those marked business traits which not
ably characterize his family, and which the,
have all doubtless inherited from their emf
nent ancestor, Pierre Samuel DUPONT d,
Nemours. lie had been director of th,
, Union Bank, now Union National Bank, il
: this city since 1859. Since 1865 he had beel
its president, during which period the bsnl
sigually prospered and its stock rose iron
s25 to s75 per share.
He had long been director Of the Farm
l ers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company, a
Wilmington, and its president since 1886
{ He had also been director Of the Whining
0 ton s. Northern Railroad Company, and q
l the Baltimore & Philadelphia Railroad Com
Q pany.
= In all respects he was worthy descend
o ant OF his distinguished ancestors. From hi
d early youth to bis mature manhood his Iii
: had given constant evidence that he had II
: herited those superior qualities of mind an
o character which enabled the duPonts an
r Van Dykes to take and maintain the hig
position which they have held tn both thei
n public and private relations. In person.
e appearance, in dignity of character and 1
courtesy Of manner he was at all times,
,ll persons, innately gentleman. Alws,
considerate, unsefsh, manly and modes
his life had been laid out upon those broa
and simple lines Of truth, honor and col
scientious sense OF duty which, Joined to h
10 sound judging and well-balIsnced chsracte
- won for him universal confidence and {
70 affectionate regard as rare as they are just