The Washington herald., 1909-03-31
BANK PRESIDENT
YIELDS TO DEATH
John E. HerFeIl SuecumbS to
Heart Failure.
HE WAS a SELF-MADE MAN
Executive Head OF National Capital
Bank Closely Identified with FL
nRnciai Interests of Washington
for Forty Years-Iife's Career Runs
from BrickIayer TO Financler.

John E HerTen, president OF the Ma
tional Capital Bank, and one OF the
largest real estate owners in Washing
ton. died suddenly last night at his home.
corner OF Tenth street and Pennsylvania
avenue southeast. Mr.. Herreu had been
III for about a month. and the immediate
cause OF death was heart failure, due 70
his age and weakness.
Mr.. Herrell was nearly seventy-nine
years old. and for year or two had been
IN a failing state 81 health He was.
however, able 20 attend 10 his duties Al
the bank and numerous other business
concerns until about a month ago. His
death was unexpected. even BY the mem
hers OF his immediate household
Funeral services have not yet beer ar
be held IN Trinity Methodist Episcopal
Church. Of which he was long a member.
Active in Business Life.
John r. Herreu had been intimately
associated with the business affairs OF
Washington since $50 In early days he
was bricklayer. later an empioye OF the
United States government. later SIN a
contractor and builder BY this means
he acquired years ago several fne houses
in East Washington. and It has been
said OF him that he was chief owner OF
the property on Capitol Hill. At all
events. his holdings there and IN other
parts OF the city were lazge. and he was
reputed 70 be one OF the wealthiest men
IN Washington. II is also true that his
fortune was acquired by hts own efforts
through ehand work and careful invest
nsnts
Mr., 81ssrsll. besides his connection with
the National Capital Bank. was presi-
dent OF the East Washington Savings
Bank. director OF the American Security
and Trust Company. and treasurer OF
the Eastern Building and Loan Associa-
ton.
Virginia HfS Native state.
! Mr.. Herrel was born IN LOudoun Coun-
y. Va. July Is. 1880 At the age OF
twenty he went 20 Baltimore. where he
labored for time as a bricklayer. Seeing
better opening IN Washington. he came
here in 1852 and went into business as a
master bricklayer and contracto-.
At the opening OF the civil wsr he en-
tered the Washington Navy Yard as
superintendent Of bricklaying for the gov
eminent, and remained there twelve
years IN ISL he engaged IN the manu-
fscture OF brick. and took some con-
tracts for building IN East Washington
In 1880 he was elected president OF the
National Capital Bank. which position ne
held until HIS death. MI Herreu was one
I OF the organizers Of the Columbia Ns-
tional Bank and OF the American Seen
rity and Trust Company, and he has been
q director OF the latter since its orgsnf-
ration. For many years he was presi-
dent OF the Peoples Fire Insurance Com
pany. resigning that position a year or
so ago because Of advancing years and IN
different health. Mr.. Herren was a men,
Der OF Harmony Lodge. I. o. o. P, Tor
/ forty years.
Married "A Georgetown Girl.
In 1851 Mr.. Herreu married Henrietta
Mahoney. Of Georgetown. They were the
parents OF seven children, all OF whom are
dead. Mrs. HerreI died in 1903. He IS
survived by one brother.
Mr.. EeFrelrs wide knowledge OF real
estate values in the District made his
| judgment particularly valuable IN the role
Of an expert. He served as appraiser IN
more condemnation cases probably than
any other man in Washington. He was
/ favorably considered for appointment on
! the condemnation commissico which viii
be called upon TO pass upon the value. of
/ the Ave squares to be condemned by the
/ government, m Fifteenth street between
| Pennsylvania avenue and the Mall.