Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-02-27
Old and Wealthy Citizen Dies Sud-
denly Today.
HIS DEATH A GREAT LOSS 10 CITY
Was vice President of Iowa National
Bank, Treasurer of Janney Manu-
featuring Company and Prom.
inent in Other BusIness.
From Mondays daily.

William Daggett, vice president OF
the Iowa National bank, and treas
urer of the Janney Manufacturing
company, died very suddenly at his
home on West Fifth street at 11:4O
O'Clock this morning. The immediate
cause of his death was the rupture
of blood vessel of the brain.
No death since that of the late p. G.
Ballingall will be felt as a personal loss
to the whole people of this city and be
as widespread in its influence as that
of Mr.. Daggett. For years he
had been connected with many of the
financial and manufacturing industries
of the city and had contributed as
much or more to the growth of the city
than perhaps any other single person.
When Ottumwa's well being was at
stake Mr.. Daggett was a host within
himself and devoted his money, time
and energy to securing the thing that
the city needed in her industrial
growth.
Mr.. Daggett came down town this
morning and complained of not feel
ing well. During the forenoon he Wis
tied the Office of DR.. S. A. Spilman
who prescribed for him. He went to
the Sargent drug store and while there
he became much worse and DR.. Spill
man conveyed him to his home on
West Fifth street. Mr.. Daggett after
taking restorative told the physician
that he would be all right now and
would be at the bank at 4 o'clock this
evening. Within one minute from
that time he was dead. The end came
suddenly and was painless. The fami-
ly is Frustrated with grief at the
sudden demise of the husband and
father.
William Daggett was born in Jordan,
Onondaga county, New York, March 12,
1890. In 1856 he came to Ottumwa,
largely thru the efforts of the late
Seth Richards, who at that time was
living in the town of Bentonsport, on
the Des Moines Valley divis-
ion of the Rock Island rail
way, between Ottumwa and
Keokuk. Mr.. Daggett often told the
story OF how he came to locate here.
Mr.. Richards influenced him to come
to Ottumwa, which he did, but did
not like the place and returned to Ben
tonsport. Mr.. Richards again used his
influence toward getting him to locate
here, telling him that Ottumwa would
be a city some day and for him to go
back. The advice was taken, with the
result that this city has seen all of
his successful business career and been.
greatly benefited thereby. He was
married on October 10, 1857, to Susan
E. Daniels, of Seneca Falls, n. Y. To
this union were, born eight children,
seven of whom are living-Minnie E.,
Maude w. Wallace r., Amy, Eva, wife
of Otis P. Higdon, Blanche and Philip.
Beside the wife and children Mr.. Dag
gett leaves three brothers and one
sister, viz. Ed Daggett, of this city,
Henry B. Daggett, of Brookfeld, Mo-,
c. F. Daggett, of Syracuse, n.
Y, and Mrs. Rebecca Norris.
who resides in California.
In 1857 Mr.. Daggett engaged in the
hardware business in this city and on
February /, 1878, he became manager
OF the Ottumwa Iron Works. In 1875
the oil mills were established under
the control of Daggett & Harper. In
1870 Charles L. Blake bought the inter-
est of stockholders in the Iowa Ma
tional bank and in 1872 Mr.. Daggett be-
came one of the directors. Ever since
that time he has been identified with
the interests of this financial instit,l-
ton either as director or as vice presi-
dent.
He was largely instrumental in Sc
touring the water power, and later the
water works which at present sup
ply the city. After the starch works
were closed down here, Mr. Daggetr
| spent a great deal of time no get ans
other mill in this city and made sever
al trips to New York for this purpose.
Mr.. Daggett's death will be mouln-
ed by every Ottumwan with genuine re-
greet. His demise leaves a place at the
head OF the city's financial interests
and welfare that will be hard to fill.
Identified, as he has been, with every
enterprise of note for many years past,
his influence, sound business judgment
and conservative methods have always
been light to guide the younger gen
Grafton of business men. He was man
unlike any other. Attic he seemed
stern at times, he was kind at heart
and very generous. He never wasted
words, was not moved by hatrery, and
was business thru and thru. His daily
life was that of model husband and
father, and no man enjoyed more being
surrounded by his family than Mr..
Daggett. In his religious life he was
a true Christian and a staunch church,
man. He was prominently identified
with Trinity Episcopal church, and has
| been one of it's most liberal benefac-
tors since it's establishment. For
many years he was senior warden.
When the present fine editice was built
a few years ago he gave much of his
time to experimenting It's erection.
/ OF late years deceased had become
to be known as Ottumwa's leading IL
nancier. 1t was he who was always
appealed to when any new Industry
wanted to locate here. 1t was his
keen insight into the merits of bust
ness proposition that always made him
the man 10 be looked forward to for
an opinion as to whether Ottumwa
people should make an effort TO secure
the enterprise or not. Many enter
|prises have been turned down in the
last ten years because of Mr..
Daggett's searching inquiry into
1.-THE institutions that wanted a
bonus to come to Ottumwa.
when the ,Janney people first came to
this city, it was to Mr.. Daggett that
the proposition was made, il was he,
who, with others. went to Mupcie and