Putnam patriot., 1915-12-31
Death Of ". II. DOane, the Noted Hymn
Writer


Writer
DIR. William Howard Doane, widely
known as a writer Of hymns, died Fri
day at the home Of daughter in5outh
Orange. n. j. lie was born in Pres
ton City, near Norwich, SO years ago.
and lived the greater part Of bis life In
Cincinnati. Fof many years be was at
the head of the J. j. Fay Company,
manufacturers Of machinery. In re-
cent wears DR. Doane lived at Watch
Hill, having built one Of the first cot
lages there, aud was an active factor
in the development Of that resort.
Or. Doane at one time was president
of the Baptist Publication Society lie
was member Of The sons Of the Rev
olulion, the May flower Society, and the
Society Of Colonial Wars. lie had a
hobby for collecting quaint musical in
struments, and several years ago dona-
ted a remark lble collection 10 the tin
cinnali = ri museum. Early in life he
beceme associated with the late Fanny
Crosby, the blind song writer.
Mr.. Doane was an alumnus ofNood-
stock Academy, and while enrolled as
a student about 1916 his conversion
took place, and as a leader of theAcad-
envy choir he early gave evidence OF
rare musical gifts, destined 10 render
his name world renowned, as he after
wards became the composer Of mhny
familiar tunes.
Mr.. Dome also achieved distinction
in other directions. Because of his in.
yentions he was decorated with the
cross of the Legionof Honor byFrance,
n tribute bestowed upon but few for
eigneTs. A rare degree OF success also
characterized Mr.. Doane's business ca
reer, while his sphere of influence was
far reaching in various forms OF church
work, in evangelistie fields and as a
phianthropist.
The following extracts are from a
personal letter from Mr.. Doane TO
friend in Woodstock and published in
the Academy Cleaner OF 1912:
"Wateh Hill, II. |.
| shall never forget my first months
experience in Woodstock, and making
the acquaintance of Mr.. Edward &.
Bowen, Mr.. Jonah Morse, DR.. Curtis,
and MI. Frank Flynn. / was invited
To sing with The tenors In the Village
church choir, and n little later asked TO
organize and conduct choir In the
Academy.
| little thought at that time that !
would live to one day write devotional
music which would he used OYER the
whole world | owe very much TO tue
christian example and teachings Of
those connected With dear old Wool
stock, also to the mupy dear friends
and acquaintances formed while there,
amongst them Rev, Henry Ward Beech
er, Asa Childs, Lewis Tappan, III. &.
Bowen, and others.
In Mr.. Frank Flynn | found n very
congenial friend, socially and mnsi
caly. 1t was while at Woodstock that
Mr.. Flynn and myself attended mu-
steal concert at Dudley, where | first
heard a large chorus of more than n
hundred singers under trained must
clan and composer, b. + Baker OF Bos.
ton, render church music. To me IL
WINS wonderful revelation and gave
an entirely different conception OF the
power Of sacred music.
have always felt that attending the
eoncett and convention nj Dudley was
the turning point in my musical life,
and had ii not been for Mr.. Flynn
could not have gone, as the cost of "A
horse and carriage was more than |
could afford, and Mr.. }. Willis Patter
son, the beloved principal, a man of
high literary Attachments and splendid
personality, who left his impress for
good on every student, and who after
wards was president of Dartmouth col.
lege, and later United States senator
from New Hampshire, would not have
consented to my going alone. When |
told Mr.. Flynn about IL, he said, Il
would like to go myself, and will take
my horse and take you along
The dear Master has been better TO
me than ever deserved, and l cannot
thank Him enough tor all His good
ness, and also for the kindness of the
good people Of old Woodstock.
Yours sincerely,
w, ii, DoANEn