The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1900-03-29
HON. CHAS. DURAND DEAD
PASSED IVY SUDDENLY YESTER-
DlY MORNING.

| DI MORNING..
Was Prominent Man in Ansonia-A
Good Business Man-Was an Ex-
Speaker of the House OF Representa-
tivcs-FormerIy of New Haven.
Ansona, March 2S.-The Hon. Charles
Durand died very unexpectedly about
one O'Clock this morning at his home
on South Cliff street. About a month
ago IIr. Durand was taken ill and was
confined to his bed for a few days. He
rallied, but continued very weak, yet
walked outdoors little occasionally
Tuesday night he appeared as well as
usual and retired about his customary
hour, During the night the woman in
charge who slept in an adjoining room,
was in the habit of giving him medicine
when needed. Between IL and 1 o'clock
she awoke and heard him breathing
| heavily She at once arose to give him
some medicine, but he breathed but
few times after she entered the room.
Seeing he was dying she called the hired
man and they stayed alone with the
dead man until help could be summoned
later.
The physician is inclined to think
that death was due to old age, the sys
| tenn having become SO weakened that it
could no longer sustain life. Friends
and relatives were notified this morning
and the relatives at once took charge of
affairs
Charles Durand was the son of the
late Samuel and Sally Durand of Der
by. He was born January 81, 1920, at
what is now known as the Rood place
in Ansonia, but his father lived later
in the Durand place at Derby Neck.
His ancestors were of Huguenot de-
scent, having come from France over
200 years ago and located in Derby,
where their descendants have resided
since. He was one of four children, the
others being Samuel now dead; Eliza
H., widow of the late John w. Osborne,
and Sarah D., widow of the late George
w. Cheesman, both of the latter survive
ing him.
There was no Ansonia at the time
Mr.. Durand was boy, and the town
meetings used to be held on Great Hill,
which at that time was portion of
Derby and was the center of the town,
where the greater portion of the bust
ness was transacted.
His education was received in the
public schools Of Derby and in what
was then known as the Derby academy.
Like most other boys, he left home
when young-ffteen years of age-to
battle with the world. He chose New
Haven for his home and entered dry
goods store. Twenty years of his life
We're passed there, not all the time as
a clerk, for portion of the time he was
engaged in business for himself.
Later he removed to New York |
where he was also engaged in mercan-
tile business. He gave up business
there and, returning to Derby, engaged |
in manufacturing, being connected in
business with his brothers law, the |
late John w. Osborne and with George |
W. Cheesman, for some time. About |
1856 the firm came to Ansonia and built |
the shop now occupied by the A. o. &
c. Co., where it engaged in business I'M
der the firm name of the Osborne q
Cheesman company. Mr.. Durand was
at first the secretary, but later became
president, resigning the office in 1875.
Later he became the president of the S.
o. & c. Co., which firm is engaged in
the manufacture of eyelets, trimmings
for corsets, shoe strings, etc.
Mr. Durand came to Ansonia to re-
side soon after the company located |
here and later built a handsome resi-
dence on South Cliff street, which for
a long term of years was considered |
the finest in the city. He entered into
and became a factor in the history of
Ansona, and was to be found at most
of the town meetings. where his voice
was always to be heard for what he
considered would be for the best inter-
ests of the town, borough and city. He
was a good speaker, fine parliament
tartan and never hesitated to engage in
debate when he thought he was right,
he was with the majority or
not. He was interested in the growth
of the city, and tie opera house was
built under his supervision. That there
was good work done can be seen in the
manner in which it has stood the effects
and wear of time.
republican in politics, he was a
leader in his party and it honored him
IN SeIeCllHS MN DIS It's cilOlce lol repre-
sentative in the state legislature. He
was first elected in 1874 and reelected
again in 1875 For the latter term he
was the unanimous choice of his party
for speaker and was elected. He made
a good presiding officer, and though
party strife ran high, his decisions on
law We're such that none
ever questioned them. AT the close of
this session the members of the house
united and presented him with gold
watch and chain, properly inscribed, as
4 token of their goodwill and respect.
1t was at this time that the house de- ]
cided to hold annual reunions. {
Later in life he became independent {
n politics, and formed his own opinions
IF what was for the best for his coun-