The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1893-09-01
]. h. DEWITT DEAD.


him to arrive home on the train reaching
Portland early last evening, Some time
after the train was due, instead of his
arrival, came the news OF his death,
additionally terrible in it's suddenness.
AS the evening wore on, the news was
circulated through the city and many
people sought the newspaper and tele-
graph offices hoping that they might
learn that the report was only an I'M
founded rumor.
Mr.. j. Frank Lang, assistant secretary
of the Union Mutual went to Boston yes
terday in response to a telegram from Mr..
Dewitt, to meet him in regard to bust
ness matters. Mr.. Lang was awaiting
Mr.. Dewitt when the latter met his
death.
Mr.. De Wits Life.
John Evert De Witt was the son of
Cornelius W. and Charity H., Wan
Gaasbeck) Dewitt, and was lineal de-
scendant of John Dewitt, first lieutenant
Of Charlotte Precinct, November !, ITS,
and also a signer of the articles OF asso-
citation. Ten Of his ancestors We're noted
from their connection with the American
Army during the struggle OF the colonies
for independence. !;
Mr.. DeWittsswas fifty-four years OF age
He was born in New York, and when a
young man became clerk for well
known mercantile house in the metropo-
lis. Soon after he became interested IN
life insurance and was appointed agent
for the Phoenix His activity and energy
in this position became SO marked that
it attracted the attention of the United
States Life Insurance Company, whose
directors rendered him the presidency
of that corporation. Under Mr.. DeWitt's
governing hand this company made
such rapid strides that in 1876 he was
elected president of the Union Life Insur
ance Company of Maine. The same
marked success followed Mr.. Dewitt in
his new position 1t was due to him
largely that important changes were
made in the, insurance laws OF Massa-
chusetts. In 1881 the headquarters of the
company were located in Boston. but a
law was then passed in Maine
which required the company organized
under the lawssof Maine to have its chief
offices in this state, and the majority of
the directors resident here. Consequent
ly Fluent block was purchased, entirely
remodelleds and made Zone of the most
artistic buildings in the country, and
the chief offices of the company were
located there in 1881, and have remained
there ever since.
Mr.. DeWitt.was man ofsgreat reading,
and possessed one of the finest libraries
in the United States. He was also
deeply interested in art and was presi-
dent of the Portland Society of Art. He
was the owner of the second finest col
lection of etchings by the most famous
artists, possessed by anyone in America
When the Portland National bank was
founded Mr.. hewitt was one of the
largest depositors and was made a direc-
tor. He was president of the Union
Safety Deposit Vault company, and a
member of the Board of Trade. AS was
natural for man of such distinguished
ancestry, he was president Of the Maine
Society of the Sons Of the American
Revolution.
Mr.. Dewitt was a vestryman of St.
Luke's Cathedral and deeply interested
in the work of the diocese.
Mr.. Dewitt was eminently social, and
his beautiful residence on Deering steet is
noted for its art. treasures. He enter
tanned great deal at home, and was a
member of the Cumberland and Fall
mouth clubs. AS "a Democrat, Mr.. De-
Wits council was eagerly sought and
considered by the party leaders in Maine,
although he never was willing to accept
party office.
Mr.DeWitt married Miss Hawley of
Connecticut, "a cousin OF Senator Haw-
ley) who survives him, as well as two
children, Clarence, a student at Yale,
and Miss Bertha.