The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1913-01-17
death SUMMONS
|. FOR W.J.NEWTON
Aged Attorney, Business Man
and Writer Dies at Home
in the Capital.
AILNG FOR LONG TIME
For Thirty-6ve Years He Was Promi-
nent in City as Public
spirited Man.
AILING FOR LONG TIME

Watson J. Newton. a well known busi-
ness man, prominently identified with
campaigns for the city's betterment, died
at nom yesterday at his home, 32o9 Della
| field Place Northwest Mr.. Newton, who
was siXty-four years old. had been in
failing health for some time.
Born in Wiveliscombe. Somersetshre.
| England. May l6, 1S4S. Mr.. Newton came
to the United States at the age of twen-
" years settling in Massachusetts,.
where he married Miss Ellen J. Black, in
1873. He removed TO Washington in 1876
and had since resided here.
He was admitted to the bar OF the Dis
trict Supreme Court in 1877, and
later to the bar of the United
States Supreme Court. and was in the ac-
tive practice of law for thirty-five years.
lie formed an active partnership with
Miss Emma NJ. Gillett in the real estate
and insurance business about twenty
years ago. Mr. Newton was for many
years a member of the directorate of
the Washington Loan and Trust Com
Tany. and was for six years president
Of the District Title Insurance Com
pany. He was president of the Realty
Appraisal and Title Company since its
organization in 1889 He was one of the
organizers of the Lincoln National Bank,
and served on its directorate for many
years.
Mr.. Newton was also interested in in
surance matters, was one of the or
ganizers Of the Commercial Fire Insur-
ance Company, and was one of the or
Eanizers of the Grand Fraternity, a fra
ternaI organization, built from his eX-
perienCe with other organizations of
which he was q member. and the first
of such to have a protective reserve.
and which is now a fiourishinG institu-
ton having its headquarters in Phila-
delphis.
PubIic-spirited Man.
Mr.. Newton took an active interest
in matters relating to the betterment of
Washington. lie organized the law
school of the National University, soon
after coming to Washington, and later
organized the medical department. He
was a member of the board of regents
Cf this institution for many years. Mr..
Newton was also one of the incopora-
tors of the Washington College of Law,
organized primarily for women.
He took an active interest in improving
alley conditions and drafted short and
sharp bill, which. with the assistance of
Joseph Hall, was passed by Congress.
The bill prohibits the building of houses
in alleys less than thirty feet wide
Twenty years later Jacob Riis made an
examination OF alley COnOltlOnS Tor
President Roosevelt, and congratulated
the municipality upon this wise measure
passed so many years ago. He was a
member OF the board of directors of the
Washington Board OF Trade for nine
years, and while chairman OF the insur-
ance committee, the board of insurance
Of the District was organized.
Mr.. Newton was a member of the B.
B. French Lodge, No. l6. F. A. A. NJ.
and also the George Washington Chapter
OF the Royal Arch Masons. He and his
family attended the Unitarian Church,
and he helped build the Universalist
Church. He was a writer of note. some
of his books having been a novel, Cupid
and Creeds;" a play "BrambletOn Fair"
and many patriotic songs.
He leaves a widow, Mrs. Ellen J.
Newton; two daughters, Misses Cath
crime 4. and Ellen Z. Newton: two sons.
A p. Newton, of Buffalo. n. Y. and
Watson P. Newton, of this city. a
nephew. George P. Newton, also resides
in this city.
The funeral will take place at o'clock
Saturday afternoon at the family resi-
Gence. 300 DelafieId Place Northwest