New-York tribune., 1895-01-02
OBITUARY.
DOUGLAS PUTNAM.

Douglas Putnan, who died at his home in Mari
eta Ohio. December 90 in his eShty-nintn year.
was the Oldest living descendant. in the direct line
of Major General Israel Putnam. Soon after the
close OF the Revolutionary War, Colonel Israel Put
nam son of the General. joined the early settlers
of the Northwest Territory at Marietta, where he
was followed later by his son David. Douglas
Putnam was n son of the latter. born on Aprli =
1906 on the eighteenth anniversary of the landing
of these Western pilgrims AS Is known the orig
inal settlement OF this Northwest Territory was
made by a company of officers Of tho Revolutionary
War; who received from Congress in lieu OF their
pay large grants of land in southern Ohio out
of these grants was formed the ONO Company IN
the management OF which Colonel Israel Putnam
and his son David became prominent and thus
widely extended land interests came under their
control.
David PutEam graduate or Yale. sent hrs sons
there which at that date involved = six weeks
Journey on horseback, During their course as stu
dents in preparatory school and college they went
only TO their Ohio home, and returning To
the East found the journey much shortened by the
opening of the Erie Canal with its rapid and lux
urious means OF travel" on March Il. M was
held a meeting in Marietta, Of which Douglas fut-
nam was the secretary which resulted in estab-
fishing the Marietta Collegiate institute char-
tered As Marietta College. February. iSl From the
date OF the first meeting. now nearly sixty y-thfee
years ago Mr. Putnam the secretary and
those OF the last commencement June "A, lSi'
bears the signature Douglas Putnam. Secretary
As a member of the Board OF Trustees from the
foundation. could be- more thoughtful ana
co,siderate, more alive to every interest OF the
college. ready with his means to its financial
aid-his first gift in 1888. being ND the aggregate
now go times this first sum.
Mr.. Putnam had interests in many business ahn
public cnterpr!ses. He a director In the Ola
Bank OF Marietta for some years before its char
ter expired In 1872; a director in the Marietta
branch OF the State Bank OF Ohio. established IN
1886; also a director. and for time president o'
the Marietta National Bank. which went out o.
business years ago. For fifteen years n" was a
director in the Belpre (changed TO Marietta lso'
and Cincinnati Railroad Company. or "hich ne
The Putnam family is one OF The Oldest and most
highly esteemed In New England John putnam
Mass in 1870 years ago or only Io.i @ - - &
after the foundation OF Plymouth. eigh years SUD
ton was then only four years old. Douglas Putnam
is in the direct line from this John Putnam. IN
Rufus putnam. who led the first colony to Mari
eta 17ss vas cousin OF Major 'ten.r7'i % is'a%s
strong Characteristic thoroughly honest vigorous
and self reliant nd1sendent Win no
tons perhaps sometimes from pre)udices mat were
round nG5 %fAf IS st i the chez home OF the Fa,nas
Douglas Putnam had more OF suavity IN his man
His benevolcnce of expression was clear, MS every
kind. -,
Although ever taking lively Interest in public
fairs Mr.. Putnam seemed to be devoid OF per
sonal. political ambition In lsio, on thc & zap
praisernent OF the property Of OHIO for taxation.
his eminent fitness caused him TO be selected for
the State Board Of Equalzation and he held tho
same place agar In lSI In 1871 he became a
member of the Congregational Church OF Marietta
-iransferred o Harmar Church its or
ganizauon in 1870. OF which latter church hc was
the father relation continued throughout his
life
He was a man OF strong and foving religious
cha racter, OF childlike trust ana unurlng hepiul
ness to his fellow-m men, OF large bencvoiences ana
untOunded hospitality. His home was "A nom" 10
every reasonable comcr-a vcritable hospital WIN
OUTLYING branches. What WAS done by him can ohly
b.. estimated by the supreme Power. lie SUB
sfautially 'adminstered upon his own estate hs
was Intended by him. and II he fell short 1t was
sro,o human imUcrfectiOu