Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1896-11-27

office, where he assisted in the book keep
ing and made collections. At that time the
collections were made monthly and often
the boy had from $4,000 to $4,000 in his
possession which he carried to the office
and which was then divided up and sent
to the connecting roads. His alertness,
his unusual capabiity for business, and
his trustworthiness attracted the attention
of business men, and in 1868 Philip Wells,
who was then cashier of the Bank of Brat
tleboro, went down to the freight Office
and offered him a place in the bank, urg-
ing him to accept it. This he decided to
do and, at the age of 20, he entered upon
what proved to be his lifelong work. He
at once showed an insight into the banks
affairs. The wisdom of suggestions which
he made in regard to improved methods of
conducting the banks affairs was recog-
nized and his suggestions were adopted.
Capt. Samuel Root, then the president of
the bank, became his warm friend and
personal adviser. Even at that early age Mr.
Dowley's comprehension of financial affairs
was remarkable, and almost before he was
out of his teens he had foreseen the posi-
bilities of the government war bonds then
investments in them.
In July, 1868, whe. he was only "a
years old, Mr. Dowley .ecame cashier of
the bank. Three years before this, in 1865,
the bank had been recognized under the
national banking laws. Mr.. Dowley held
the cashiership until December, 1886, when
he was chosen president, succeeding the
late William p Cune in that office. From
that time his personal history has been
the history of the bank itself. He iden-
tilted himself completely with its interests;
its reputation and prosperity were his own,
and a part of his own life and self. Under
his management the growth of the bank
was rapid, but none the less it was solid
and secure 1t has a clientage such as
few country banks possess. In no way,
perhaps, is the result of Mr.. Dowley,s
work better shown than in the high rank
accorded to the Vermont National bank IN
the 'roll of honor printed by leading
financial paper less than three months ago.
This showed that out of 343 banks in the
United States entitled to place on the
roll the Vermont National stood high up
in the list, and of all the New England
banks it stood at the head as regards its sur
plus and the percentage of its surplus and
undivided profits to its earnings. 1t has
been the policy of the bank to keep its OH
cials long in service. 1t was organized
under the state laws in 1922, being only
the second in the state to take out char-
ter. Mr.. Dowley was only the elghth
president in order of succession, and only
the fifth cashier.
Resides his work for the bank Mr.. Dow
lev had been for a long term OF years the
BTattleboro town treasurer. He was the
county treasurer, and treasurer OF the vii
lage school district until he declined re-
election at the last school meeting Ht
was a director in the Vermont Valley rail-
road company, and in the Vermont Live
Stock company. During GOV. fuller
term of Office Mr.. Dowley was member o.
his personal staff. He had helu many
positions of private financial trust, anu IN IN
advice was widely sought In matters Vi IN
vestment. He enjoyed wide acqualnU
ance and a standing which was unques
toned among the bank men OF New Eng
land. No man in this section possesses
the acquaintance and the experience Whlcl
enabled him to be of so much service II
DIacing loans of bonds and other larg
sums of investment money. de was
man of positive convictions and lnneAlDI
will Every business trust conhded 10 mn
was conducted by him by Itself ana on IL
own merits. and without complication VIII
INV other Every man who dealt with hln
Insw that. his word once given, 1t was
good as his bond. - bu.;
Mr., Dowley had applied himself TO ousl
ness with close and unwearying dlllgehct
and with no respite for any length OF tlh'
The annearance of the illness when prove
fatal was first noticed by his trlends ias
spring. but with the reticence ana Sel'PoiS
which were characteristic OF hlhi ne u sPoA
of II to no one. The summer ana la, we a
a period of unusual anxiety 1or an ni ~
with large business interests anu ~
weakened condition this straln T waS oia,
doubtedly felt severely by NM S,,t n
tha onnointed day found himself unable
lave home He was last at the BANK =
SATURDAY.. Nov. 7, and early the iolowiu
waeL he was obliged to keep MS oe.
Emjnent specialists who were suulnon ~
nrononnced his disease enemla Oi u
blood. .,a. IN his hom
and his handsome house ana LII -
Main street had been fitted up WIN Al n. :,
ra6nements and elegancies when geneIoS'
means could command. His cohhecS'I
was with the Universalist church, anu
Contributed literally to its support % NJ,
Mr. Dovley was married in loto " ~ H.
Ada r.. Fsterbrook, daughter OF the 20 20
William III. Esterbrook. inc wiie ''
wives him. They had no children hrot
Mr.. Dowley is also survived G he o'S a,
er, Merritt j. Dowley, OF TINS W vl.iSS Al
by two sisters, Mrs. j. DAVID wi ~ Cree
Mrs. George G. S. Smith, bo'h Oh WV
field, Mass. -. % ba held fro
The funeral is appointed 10 o ",n Io
The house this afternoon az 'i''