Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1893-07-29
nDEaTH OF HENRY s. DAWSON.

Henry Shepard Dawson, president and
treasurer of the New Haven Water COM
pany for 50 many years, who has been
ill for some time past, died at
his late residence, No. go Whalley avenue,
at 4:45 o'clock yesterday afternoon at the
advanced age of eighty years. About the
first of June Mr.. Dawson contracted &C.
we're cold, which developed into inhamma-
tory rheumatism, attended by low fever,
from the effects of which, in consequence
of his age, he never rallied, but gradually
wore away until yesterday afternoon, when
he passed peacefully away. He leaves
widow and a son, Sidney q. Dawson, OF
142 Dwight street, to mourn the loss of an
affectionate husband and father.
The death of Mr.. Dawson removes from
among US citizen of sterling worth,
strong individuality and high aims, man
public spirited, able and much esteemed.
He was also man of indomitable energy,
forceful and intrepid in any public CUES
ton or worthy cause which upon full de-
liberation he had espoused.
Henry Shepard Dawson was born IN
New Hartford, Conn, July 3, 1913, his
parents being Holt and Irene Shepard
dawson. When twelve years old his
father died and from that time on he was
compelled to earn his own living. Prior
to the death of his father he had attended
the common schools of the period, where
he obtained his education.
After the death of his father young
Dawson removed to Orange, where he
learned the hat finishing trade from John
Hunt. After acquiring his trade he
worked at 1t in Philadelphia, Baltimore
and Washington and was in the latter city
during Andrew Jsokson's administration.
In 1S48 he went into the grocery busi-
ness at the corner of State and Olive streets
and later he conducted country general
store at Plymouth Hollow. Soon after this
he went to work for hts brother, William
Dawson, who kept a grocery and confec-
tionery store. Ex-Alderman B. 81. Doug
lass of our city was also in the employ of
William Dawson at the time. They learned
the confectioners' trade and later bought
out William Dawson and went into part
nership under the name of Dawson &
Douglass. This partnership lasted twenty
three years, beginning in 1850. The firms
business grew and developed and was fe I
many years prominent and noted house
in the trade in this part of the country.
Mr.. Dawson early Identified himself with
public enterprises. He was the first presi-
dent of the Derby railroad, a work vitality
important to the prosperity of the city. In
1868 he was elected president of the New
Haven Water company and held that Office
up to the present time, having for a num-
Der of years prior to his election as presl.
dent held the Office of vice president.
Shortly after this he sold cut his business
to his partner, B. 81. Douglass, now senior
of the noted and prosperous firm of B. b.
Douglass Sons, and devoted his whole at
tention to the interests of the water com
pany, and it Is not too much to say thai
the success of this company was largely
due to his efforts.
The original charter of the company wal
granted as far back as 1849, but the matte,
Jagged for years and seemed likely to sinl
into utter stagnation until at last Mr.Daw
son, with his accustomed vim and energy
took hold of the case, together with othe!
| public spirited gentlemen. Mr.. Dawson
alone secured large amount of stock fc
| the enterprise. As it is recorded, in 1856
seven gentleman met in private room TO
one more effort. They were Mr.. Dawson
Hon. Henry G. Lewis, E. 9. Scranton
James T. Bsbcock, Major Minott A. o.
born, David Cook and Judge David
Peck. After a very great effort on tn
| part of these gentlemen the stock was sub
soribed and tie works built. The waite
was let into the city in January, 1862. Mr.
Dawson was the, fourth president of tn
company, his predecessors in their orde
of succession being Hon. E. G. Scranton
David Cook, Hon. W. W. Boardmsn. NJ,
Dawson's presidency covered quarter G
a century.
On June 4, 1886, Mr.. Dawson marie
Miss Elizabeth Alling of Orange. The
had nine children, one of whom, Sidne
a. Dawson of 142 Dwight street, alon
survives. Five of their children die
within two months of malignant fever.
| One of his sons, the late A. Il. Dawso
was for years a tea merchant on Stat
street in the Yale bank building.
Mr.. Dawson was vitality interested In Il
cal municipal affairs and has filed man
positions in the local government, anon
them being the position of town treasure
years ago during the period in which tn
city court was established.
He was always greatly interested Ia an
sympathized with struggling working PEI
pie, and had unbounded faith in and ft
the masses. He establiahed a CHART
known as the "Bread Fand," the object {
which was to furnish the needy wit
bread, and with characteristic generosity
|
ganizsd Charities received the benefit {
the funds interest last year. He was ais
one of tine leading and most able advocate
for the building of the Derby railroad,
measure which he advocated heart an
soul in effective and telling speeches DELI
cred at public meetings held here on tt
subject, believing the establishment {
susa1rfoad to be highly important to tt
business interests of New Haven. He ws
politically strong, staunch republican an
his voice never gave forth any uncertai
sound in behalf of any measure of polit
cal or public nature with which he ha
arrayed himself. He was also man COZ
spicuous In his psrsonal appearance, bein
tall, muscular and strongly built; his pref
ence always digniied was suggestive of
man strong and foroeful, and of marks,
influence and power in the community
His natural vigor continued until q yer
dimmed nor his natural force abate
until of late when the weight Q
his advancing years began to tell upon him
| For the last few years he had relinquishe
much of the work which formerly he ha
discharged in connection with his officis
position with the prominent corporation
with whose upbuilding and success hi
name is so honorably and PROMINENT
identified. He was a member of Cente
church. He was a senior director of tn
Yale National bank. He leaves a nam
esteemed and honored, record for honest
and earnest, hearty effort for the publ
good.
The funeral will probably take place O.
Monday afternoon. The interment will b
in the Grove street cemetery.
Slack Times at a Rolling MIL.
BRIDGEPORT, July 2S.-To-day Wilmc
& Hobbs discharged half It's employees an
in future will work eight hours day, fiv
days week. It has large rolling mills an
has large government contracts. The mill
have been running nights.
Struck by an Ensineo
Sylvester Di Ratino, an italian lahore,
while at work at the Shore Line cut Of
back of Fair Haven heights, yesterday at
ternoon was struck by one of the engine
on the narrow gauge road and had his skul
badly fractured. He was taken to tn
hospital where, last night, 1t was though
that he could not possibly recover.
The Lynn-OrlOfsky Contest.
A number of people from this city wi
be present at Union grove, Hartford, thI
afternoon where the broadsword contel
between Captain Brian E. Lynn of thi
city and Chevalier Orlofsky will take plac
at $50 O'Clock this evening. The contei
will be for $500 side, the entire purse t
go to the winner.
The Excursion Season.
s-IA