The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-08-11

part Of the country, died at 1880 O'Clock /
yesterday morning at HIS country home, |
the Duvan estate. Hyattsville, Nd.
Death was due 10 a prolonged attack
of inflammatory stomach trouble. believed
to have been brought on by an auto
mobile accident. in which Mr. Brennan
suffered injuries about a month ago.
Mr.. Brennan was returning TO Hyatts-
Vile in his automobile. when his machine
came in contact with a buggy. The au-
tomobile was overturned. Mr. Brennan
being thrown heavily 10 the ground
While it was known the contractor was
severely injured. a fatal termination was
not anticipated
The week following the accident Mr..
Brennans appetite began TO fail Dur
ing the succeeding three weeks he was
able 10 take less and less food and con-
tinually weakened. Drs. Henry NJ New
man and John F. Moran, Of Washington.
pronounced his trouble 10 be inflamma-
ton Of the stomach
Crisis Was Reached
The crisis IN his case was reached a
week ago last Monday, sinch which time
little hope had been entertained Of MS
recovery. He suffered much pain. but
did not think his case was serious He
insisted upon attending TO business. a
large number OF important contracts oc-
cupying his attention. His case took a
more serious turn last Friday. and since
that time he had been unconscious part
OF the time.
HIS vile was constantly in attendance
upon him since the time OF the accident
At his bedside when the end came were
Z Mrs. Brennan. his two sisters. Mrs.
Agnes O'Brien and MIS-. Marian Hauze
wife az Policeman Hauze. OF the White
House squad. besides Rev Father Heath
OF ST Jerome's Church. Hyattsville. and
Rev. Father O'COnnell. OF the S.. Vim
cent De Paul Society.
Beginning lie az a water boz. Mr.
/ Brennans rise to place and prominence
was rapid, 50 that dying az the age OF
thirty-e.ght years he was NJ tie head
OF one OF the largest contracting firms
In this part or the country, and heavily
interested IN other industrial and fnan-
cIal enterprises and affairs OF high con-
! Germ.
Mr.. Brennan was born IN County Cal
way Ireland a son OF Mr. and Mrs
Michael Brennan. with whom he came 20
this country and 20 the District Of Co
( lumbia IN 1852. The father was for many
/ years in the employ OF the Crawford Paw
/ ing Company up 20 the time Of his death
I fifteen years ago. While still a lad the
son entered the employ OF this firm as
water boy.
/ Subsequently he attended the public
[ schools Of Washington and entered
/ Georgetown University. graduating from
| the School Of Law He did not enter
/ upon the practice Of his profession. but
accepted a position with the Crawford
/ Paving Company, mastering every detail
/ OF the business. Upon the death OF j. II.
/ Crawford. Mr.. Brennan was elected presi-
/ dent to succeed him.
Nine years ago he organized the Bren-
nan Construction Company and thus was
! launched an enterprise which came 10
be one OF the Crawford COmpany's most
/ serious competitors. or keen capacity for
work. Mr.. Brennan worked with Untiring
energy and soon saw the company Of
whicG he was the active head recognized
as one OF the foremost. Fer several
/ years he had been a regular bidder for
/ District work. and had completed many
/ large contracts for the Commissioners.
He Charged FavOritism.
That Mr.. Brennan could be active and
/ aggressive when It was necessary was
demonstrated in the spring Of 1905. when
/ ne charged there had been favoritism I'm
the division OF the contract for street
/ and gutter paving between his COM
pany and the Crawford Paving Company.
/ Mr.. Brennan alleged that he would have
put IN lower bid than the Crawford
Company. but that the contract was
awarded without competition
after investigation that the charge OF
| favoritism was unfounded, Mr.. Brennan
| succeeded in getting an order prohibiting
| the issuance Of orders for paving before
appropriations were actually available.
Negotiations between the District and
/ the Brennan Construction Company for
/ settlement OF alleged Overpayment 10 the
company. involving about Ss5.O0O for as
! phalt and binder for street repair work.
were under way, and a proposition for
settlement proposed by the District was
under consideration by Mr.. Brennan and
his attorney at the time Of the contrac-
tors death
At the time Of his death Mr.. Brennan's
company held contracts for work amount
ing to more than 81 100000 He construct
/ ed the brick work IN the Senate and
( House Office buildings and his company
is now engaged in building the Holy
Cross Academy building. Recently the
contract was awarded the company TO
construct a six-story Office building for
the Southern Railway Company on a
I site near the Union Station
The charges preferred by Mr.. Brennan
against the District caused no suspension
in HIS business relations. and he held at
the time Of his death a fOUr-year con-
tract TO keep the streets OF Washington
in repair
The announcement Of the death OF Mr.
Brennan came as a shock to his friends
and business ecQuaintances, as only a few
We're aware Of the serious nature Of his
illness. Everywhere the news OF his pass
( ing way received with profound sorrow,
and many expressions Of coincidence were
sent to the wife and relatives.
/ Mr.. Brennan was a man Of generous
nature and a liberal contributor TO every
cause which enlisted his sympathy. He
was also prominently identified with fra
/ terEal organizations and financial insttu-
tons. As secretary OF the St. Vincent de
Paul Society. he did a work among the
poor OF the District the value OF which is
/ beyond measure
He was member OF Washington Coun-
Gil. Knights OF Columbus; OF Washington
Lodge of EIks; Carroll Institute; director
I OF ST. Josephs Orphanage; director Of the
/ Commercial National Bank, and was con-
nected with the administration OF Prov
idence Hospital He was deeply interest
ed in the work Of the Catholic University
of America, and OF Georgetown Cniver-
slty
Mr.. Brennan married IN 1909. Miss Mar
ian Wells. who survives vita threa child
L Yf4r To1- ~,