The daily morning journal and courier., 1904-02-02
WILLIAM E. DOWNES DEAD.
PROMINENT NEW HAVEN RESI-
 DENT PASSES AWAY.
Died as DsIand. Florida, Where He Was
 Passing the winssr-A Long and
 Honorsd caresr-Held Many rmpos- tant Business Positions-was presi- dent for a Long Period of the Hows
Pin Company.

dent for a Long Period of the Howe
 Pin Company.
 Late yesterday afternoon word was received from Deland, Fla, of the death of William E. Downes, one ot New Haven's most esteemed citizens, in that place yesterday. Deceased had been in the south for several weeks, and although the particulars received were meager it is thought that death was principally due to a second stroke Of paralysis. He suffered one some two weeks ago. and having been in some what feeble health for the past year or two it is considered that the shock was took great for his system to withstand. The remains yill be brought to this city for interment, but the time of the fun eral services to be announced later.
 MT. Downes had since 1887 resided in the spacious and substantial home at S45 Whitney avenue. corner of Edwards street, which he erected on his removal from Derby to this city. He was born in Milford in 1924. and was accordingly in the eightieth year of his age. His early education was attained in the common schools of Milford. He enter ed the Yale law school and was gradu- ated in the class of 1S45. After gradua- tion Mir. Downes took up the practice of his profession in Derby After some years he became interested in the Howe Pin company of Derby, and was made secretary and treasurer of the company. After a time he was elected it's presto dent. and had since held that office up to the time of his death.
 MT. Downes was one of Derby's best known and most influential business men. Besides being president of the Howe Pin company he was also presi- dent of the Derby Savings bank. He was also at one time director of the Birmingham Water company, and was very active in the founding of the Der |by Gas company, and was one of it's original directors. Deceased was always republ li-- politics, and was three times sentative to the state legislaH
 was instrumental in the org
 of the board of pardons. He w; |of much general knowledge. al
 years ago organized what WI
 known as the Nous club, whiA in the nature of debating societs original members besides MT. DowneA were Judge David Torrance, Judge E. B. X Gager. Hon. Charles H. Pine, William [ c. Atwater, pr. George l.. Beardsley of Derby. and Dr. Henry H. Nettleton, now deceased.
 The deceased was man of high irl- | tegrity, public spirited and useful as well as contemplating and progressive, and his traits of character greatly en- deared him to those who knew him. For the past four or five years he had been practically an invalid. ! Tn 1851 MT. Downes was married to
 Miss Jane Maria Howe, who survives
 him. and who was the daughter of pr.
 John R. Howe. founder of the Howe Pin company, of Derby. and of this union five children were born, four of
 whom survive. They are Mrs. William 1 w. Whiting, Mrs. Charles F. Atwater
 of s21 Whitney avenue: William Howe 1 Downes, of the Boston Transcript, and
 John I. H. Downes. who resided with 1 his father.
 I MT. Downes was a member of Center church. and the funeral services will no
 doubt be conducted by the Rev. pr. Smyth, pastor of that church.