Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1889-07-06
GEORGE HENRY wATRous.

GEORGE HENRY wATROUs.
Death OF the Eminent Lawyer-He
Spends q Pleasant Fourth and Dies
Suddenly tho Next Morning-Sketch
OF HIS Career.
George II. Watrous, ex.president of the
New York, New Haven and Hartford rail-
road, enjoyed the Fourth and seemed unus-
| ually bright that evening. By six o'clock
the next morning the noted lawyer was
dead. He was taken with poor spell about
Eve o'clock in the morning and lapsed into a
state of unoonsciousness. DR.. Robert s.
Ives, the nearest physician, was summoned,
but he could do nothing, the distinguished
gentleman being beyond human aid.
Bright's disease was the cause of
his death but it had not confined him to his
bed, although Mr.. Watrous had been for
some years In poor health. The announce
ment of his death caused universal surprise
and CONSERVATION about the city. The
eminent qualities that marked man who
stood with those at the head of the New
and the unanimous opinion was expressed
that one of New Hsven's and of the States
foremost citizens had fallen.
Mr.. Watrous became broken down In the
service of the Consolidated road, and the ex-
acting duties of tho presidency compelled
him to resign some two years ago. He then
L sought rest and recuperation, but did not Sc
cure the good health, of which he was in
quest. Eminent physicians in this city and
elsewhere were consulted, and the, verdict
| which they gave was that he was suffering
from Brights disease. The winter of 1887
he spent IN Nassau, New Providence, and
last winter he was at Aiken, s. O., and the
hot springs of the South. Returning to his
home in this city late in the spring just
passed, Mr.. Watrous had the appearance of
a gain in health, and this impression he
shared himself.
His friends, however, noticed that he was
far from well. His once strong and hearty
voice trembled whep he spoke, and even when
telling of his improved health his lip auiv-
cred. OF late he has felt better and at four
o'clock on the afternoon before his death he
1 was at the Office of DR.. Cheney, his attending
physician for year past, and said he was
| feeling better than for year past and was
l about to start with his family for Holder
ness, N. II. 1t was learned from DR.. Cheney
last evening that the deceased died of rup-
/ ture of blood vessel or vessels on the brain,
complication which follows in the form of
Brights disease with which Mr.. Watrous
suffered.
George Henry Watrous was born at Mont
rose in central Pennsylvania in 1929. His
father was q farmer and the boys early years
were spent on the farm. He showed a desire
l for knowledge and prepared for college at
Hanover academy in CORTLAND county, NY.
In 1850 he joined the sophomore class at
Madison university. The next year he came
to Yale, where he spent the last two years of
his college course. He proved most faithful
Il and dilioapt atudaut and Grad tad With hfoh
| honors in that famous class of 1858, which
l turned out SO many brilliant men.
After graduating Mr.. Watrous took up
| the study of law. In order to earn liveli-
hood while purauing this study, he obtained
| a position as tutor In Greek at General Rus
sells Collegiate and Commercial Institute in
| this city. After two years spent in the
] study of the law he was admitted to the bar
! and in 1857 entered Ex-Governor buttons
law Office as partner. The preceding year
he had passed in the Office of Ex-Governor
Henry B. Harrison. While here he was
prominent In assisting the building up of the
Republican party in Connecticut, and re-
manned to his death an influential member
| of that organization. The partnership with
l Governor Dutton continued until the eleva-
l ton of that gentleman to the supreme
bench. The firm WAS counsel for the New
York and New Haven railroad and Mr..
Watrous' studies were thus directed
toward the law of corporations. In
1860 he became head of the firm
and handled an immense legal business until
he was chosen president of the Consolidated
railroad in 1879. He was q master of the law
and stood high in his chosen profession when
called to this more important trust. His in
fuence aided in the consolidation of the
New York and Hartford roads, which oc-
CURED in 1872. He became counsel of the
new corporation and was chosen a director in
1875. He accepted the Office of president
and at once turned his full powers to the
furtherance of the company's interests. He
worked hard and the severe strain finally
broke down his system and caused his retire.
ment two years ago. His firm resolution and
ready observation succeeded In extending the
great system Of roads over which he presided
and in enlarging its usefulness and prosperity.
Besides his interest in the management of
the Consolidated railroad he was a director
In the City bank. New Haven Gas Light
company, New Haven Water company, Fair
Haven and Westville railroad company, was
vice president of the National Savings bank,
and president and director of the Whitney
avenue horse railroad. He WAS reelected
vice president and was present at the meet
ing of the directors of the National Savings
bank the day before he died.
He was member of the board Of council.
men from 1850 to 1862, and of the aldermen
In 1858. The following year he was rep
resentative in the legislature and served the
city as road commissioner from 1S6s-7Q He
has also been q member of the board of edu
cation. He was city attorney from 1862 65,
and corporation counsel In 1872.
Mr.. Watrous married his first wife In 1857,
Miss Harriet ]. Dutton, the daughter of his
partner. She died, leaving him with three
children. In 1874 he married Miss Lille NJ.
Graves, daughter of Hon. Henry B. Graves
of Litchfeld, Conn, who survives him. The
surviving children of the fret marriage are:
George ID. Watrous of the law firm of Town
| send Il Wstrous, Mrs. Edward v. Reynolds
| also of this city, and Charles A. Watrous of
| the New York Sun. The children of the
| second marriage are: Maud, IA years of age;
Elliott, 12; Henry D., 10, and Francis NJ, 8
years of age.
He was senior counsel for the defense In
the famous Hayden trial and made an elo-
| quent and touching appeal for the accused.
| He will be remembered long al a kind and
| courteous gentleman, thorough student, an
| earnest, hard worker and pleasing CONVEX
| sstionalist. The funeral will be held from
| his late residence 1t p. m. Monday. DR..
Smyth will oficiate.
The New Haven County Bar will meet at
| ten O'Clock this morning to take action upon
the death of It's eminent member.
Judge Hall adjourned the Superior court
yesterday until Wednesday as token of es-
| TEEN for Mr.. Watrous. In moving that the
court adjourn State Attorney Doolittls In
50 distance said:
"Since entering the court house have received
the sad intelligence of the death OF one OF Connect
cuts distinguished citizens-a gentleman known TO
all the people OF the State, distinguished for
his ability and integrity In the administration of
Justice q member Of this bar.
When he retired from the bar It was to occupy o
position president of railroad corporation most
Intimately connected with the welfare and business
interests OF this community In the administration of
this important trust he exhibited the same integ-
rity and ability which he had shown at the bar,
and IN a manner most satisfactory to the corpora
ton and the people had conducted the business to
promote the welfare Of the corporation aud the
public
Therefore, as a token of respect to gentleman
who had so faithfully discharged all the duties OF
public and private life move that the court be ad
journed until after the burial of our deceased
brother"
Postmaster M M urray of Florida.
P. E. McMurray, former we'll known res
ident of this city and recently appointed
postmaster in Jacksonville, Fla, arrived in
this city Thursday on flying visit. He
starts TO day for home Mr.. McMurray was
one of the executive committee placed In
charge of the yellow fever sufferers at the