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BIOGRAPHIES
Source:
History of the Old Town of Derby,
Connecticut, 1642 - 1880
with Biographies and Genealogies
by
Samuel Orcutt & Ambrose Beardsley, M. D. -
Publ. Press of
Springfield Printing Company, Springfield, Mass.
1880
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< CLICK HERE to RETURN to 1880 BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX >
SIDNEY A. DOWNES
was born in Huntington, Conn., in 1817, and came to
Birmingham in 1838 and entered into mercantile business, but
afterward engaged in the hardware business in the store now
occupied by F. Hallock and Company. Still later
he became interested in the manufacture of hoop skirts, and
up to January, 1880, was business manager of the house of
Downes & Bassett, corset manufacturers.
Mr. Downes has held many offices of trust, among
them, judge of probate, town clerk and assessor, besides
being administrator on many estates. He is held in
high esteem by the citizens of Derby, and in business
relations has established a reputation for honesty and
fidelity which few public men attain.
(Source: History of the Old Town of Derby,
Connecticut, 1642 - 1880 with Biographies and Genealogies by
Samuel Orcutt & Ambrose Beardsley, M. D. - Publ. Press of
Springfield Printing Company, Springfield, Mass.
1880.) |
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WILLIAM E. DOWNES,
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CHARLES
DURAND, was born in Derby, the son of Samuel
Durand, plain farmer who could give to his son only the
benefits of a common school education. His entrance
into public life was first as a clerk and afterwards a
merchant in New Haven. Thence he went to New York city
and entered business as a dry goods merchant, but
subsequently turned his attention to manufacturing, and was
active in forming the Osborn and Cheeseman Company of
Ansonia.
Mr. Durand possesses considerable talent, is of
pleasing address, a fine off-hand speaker, and in several
whig and republican presidential campaigns has taken the
platform and rendered good service to his political
principles. He was twice elected from Derby as
representative to the Legislature, and in 1877 was elected
Speaker of the House, which position he discharged with
fidelity and credit to his party. |
NOTE:
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