The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-04-05
MOURN v. R. DEEBLE
Death Universally DeplOred
by Business Associates.
TO HOLD FUNERAL SATURDAY
Rose to Prominent Place In Conn
merciaI Life of the City--Was Born
in Georgetown in 1SGO-stOck Ex-
change Suspends Operation in
Difference to Him-BuriaI Saturday.

An oppressive gloom peTvaded the busi-
ness Offices of the city yesterday as the
result Of the sudden and untimely death
of w. Riley Decide. the real estate and
insurance broker. Mr.. Decide died yes
terday morning at his home, 2O2O z street /
northwest, after one weeks illness OF /
typhoid fever. His funeral viii be held /
Saturday afternoon at the chapel in Oak |
Nm Cemetery. The hour of the services
had not been determined last evening, |
owing TO the absence from the city OF
Rev. Herbert Scott Smith, who will
ofaciate.
w. Riley Decide was one of the most
popular of the middle-aged business men |
of the city. OF large physical proportions.
stalwart bearing, handsome features. a
most amiable disposition, a good word
for everybody, and business abilities of
the first order, Mr.. Decide was universally
respected and esteemed beyond ordinary
men by those with whom he came IN con-
tact His views on all subjects were
positive. sometimes radical, and he had
way of defending them that generally put
to rout whoever might venture 10 get
into an argument with him. At the same
time he was tolerant of the opinions Of
others. and never offensive in presenting
his side of a controversy.
Born in Georgetown.
Mr.. Riley was born in Georgetown
April p, 1850, being the son of James
William and Nicea Patterson Fuller
Decide. He was educated at the public
schools. and took the preparatory course
| in Columbian now George Washington
/ University At the age of sixteen he left
his books and entered upon his business
/ career. first becoming an employe OF the
Potomac Insurance Company
/ Ten years later he was offered the sec
iretaryship of that company 10 succeed
I his father but declined the position and
established a branch of the Georgetown
company at 1919 + street, where he worked
/ up a large volume Of business in fire in
surance II was through his efforts
/ largely that the Lincoln Fire Insurance
Company was merged with the Potomac
/ in 1929 From 1885 Mr. Decide had been
president of the old Potomac company
/ After the merger he resigned that posi-
ticn and became vice president Of the new
! Potomac company.
Feeling the need for a thorough knOwl-
edge of the law Mr.. Decide set about its
I study with the vigor which characterized
/ his life, and learned its principles at
/ leisure hours during an active business
\ life He attended lectures at Columbian
Il University of Law, and was graduated
with honor in 1852 He was soon after
admitted 60 the bar, and became promi-
nent member OF the District Bar Assoc
citation.
Leaves Four Children.
Mr.. Decide and Miss Cora B. Beggs, Of
wilmington, Del. were married February
s 1883. Four children have been born TO
them, Elizabeth, Dorothy, William Riley,
jr. and Margaret who, with their mother,
survive him.
Mr.. Decide became a member of the
Washington Stock Exchange in October,
1854 and has been an active broker since
that time. He was generally conservd-
tive trader. Yesterday the members OF
that body were genuinely grieved at the
loss Of their associate. Thursday Of last
week he was present at the meeting, and
was then complaining Of feeling ill., and
last Monday when it was announced that
he had an attack of typhoid fever no one
! dreamed that his end was so near,
/ President Hume, in a voice which
| trembled with emotion, made an official
/ announcement of the death. A motion was
/ Immediately made that the business Of
4 the day be suspended. In secOnding il, T.
Il Southland Parker, Nestor of the exchange
/ paid an eloquent tribute to Mr.. Deehle- A
1 committee of twO-Wnliam II. Mearns
Il and Albion x. Parris-was appointed Il
II represent the exchange at the funeral
Il services. Another committee viii be
/ named to-day 20 draft suitable resolu-
II lions Of respect to his memory.
Il Among other positions of Importance
II 4vs4ret ATV TRpphla WAS DTpgiuFu
/ of the Georgetown Gaslight Company
Il member of the valuation committee of the
4 ! First Cooperative Building Association
L / director of the American Security anC
II / Trust Company, formerly director an'
II second vice president of the National SAT-
II ! Deposit and Trust Company, and mem
II Der of the council of administration of tn
: Bankers Association of the District.
An Active ChurchmRn.
Mr.. Decide was a commitment of tn
Protestant Episcopal Church and a YES
tryInan Of St. Margaret's. He took al
active part in church affairs and was
consistent and generous giver TO charity
MIR. Decide took great interest in civil
affairs. and gave much of his time &
matters pertaining TO public Improvement
One of his notable efforts in this direc
ton was the improvement of Rock Cree
from 2 street south. which, if carrie
out. would wipe or the Disagreement o
the valley Of that stream between George
- town and Washington. He proposed tn
= tunneling Of the stream and the filling j
/ of the valley. His scheme, proposed sew
] eral years ago. attracted great attentio
l at the time, and is one of the objects 70
! which public-spirited citizens of the VI
per northwest section are still working.
Il