John Dowdle 1849-1921. As printed in the magazine PUBLIC SAFETY, Chicago, Illinois. January 9, 1922
Hundreds of Chicago citizens were saddened at the announcement last week of the death of John Dowdle, a pioneer contractor of Chicago and one of the best known and most highly respected citizens of Chicago.
Mr. Dowdle grew up with Chicago, he came to it when he was an infant and it was in its infancy. His long honorable and useful life was spent among us and during all of his life he was honored by his fellow citizens, respected and trusted by all who knew and appreciated his sterling character and many good qualities.
He was a man of strict probity in business affairs, in private life kindly, gentle and considerate, and toward the poor and needy a kind and generous friend and benefactor.
He was one of the old time type of citizens who made the character, laid the foundation and upreared the edifice of Chicago’s greatness. His demise will be felt in many ways for it is a loss not alone to his friends but to the entire community.
Mr. Dowdle died suddenly at his residence, 3010 Washington Boulevard, on December 29th, his wedding anniversary. He came to Chicago when he was 3 years old and was president of the Nash-Dowdle Company on 29 South LaSalle Street for over 40 years, having directed the construction of many of the city’s public improvements, including bridges, tunnels and buildings, as well as extensive contracting undertakings in various parts of the United States. He was born December 24th, 1849 and was married on December 29th, 1886. Those who survive him are Mrs. Margaret Nash Dowdle, his widow; a daughter, Mrs. Charles E. Byrne; three sons, Thomas P. Dowdle, John J. Dowdle and Raymond R. Dowdle who have been associated with him in business; and a brother, Patrick Dowdle.
Mr. Dowdle was a public-spirited citizen, devoted to his family and faithful to his religion. Although he was of a very retiring disposition, his nobility of character endeared him to all who knew him. The esteem in which he was held is best exemplified by the thousands of friends, who called at the home and attended the funeral, which occurred on Monday, January 2nd.
Solemn Requiem Mass was chanted at St. Matthew’s Church at Walnut and Albany Streets, at 10 A.M. Reverend James Burke, of St. Mary’s College, Emmetsburg, Md., was Celebrant. Reverend John J. Gearty was Deacon and Reverend E. Long was Sub-Deacon.
Many nuns from various religious orders were present. Among the priests who attended the funeral were the following: Rev. Thomas J. McDevitt, L. L. D., and Rev. William Lynch, Chaplains to the Bishop, Rev. William H. Agnew, S.J., President of Loyola University.
Right Reverend Bishop E. F. Hoban, D.D., blessed the remains and Reverend Fr. D. O’Brien, D. DD., vice-president of the Catholic Church Extension Society delivered the sermon, taking as his text the words of St. Paul: “I have fought a good fight. I have kept the faith. I have finished my course.” He declared that John Dowdle needed no eulogy, that his exemplary life merited the blessing of Almighty God and that, as a loving father, he had handed down to his children the faith of his forefathers.
John Dowdle
1849-1921
As printed in the magazine PUBLIC SAFETY, Chicago, Illinois. January 9, 1922
Hundreds of Chicago citizens were saddened at the announcement last week of the death of John Dowdle, a pioneer contractor of Chicago and one of the best known and most highly respected citizens of Chicago.
Mr. Dowdle grew up with Chicago, he came to it when he was an infant and it was in its infancy. His long honorable and useful life was spent among us and during all of his life he was honored by his fellow citizens, respected and trusted by all who knew and appreciated his sterling character and many good qualities.
He was a man of strict probity in business affairs, in private life kindly, gentle and considerate, and toward the poor and needy a kind and generous friend and benefactor.
He was one of the old time type of citizens who made the character, laid the foundation and upreared the edifice of Chicago’s greatness. His demise will be felt in many ways for it is a loss not alone to his friends but to the entire community.
Mr. Dowdle died suddenly at his residence, 3010 Washington Boulevard, on December 29th, his wedding anniversary. He came to Chicago when he was 3 years old and was president of the Nash-Dowdle Company on 29 South LaSalle Street for over 40 years, having directed the construction of many of the city’s public improvements, including bridges, tunnels and buildings, as well as extensive contracting undertakings in various parts of the United States. He was born December 24th, 1849 and was married on December 29th, 1886. Those who survive him are Mrs. Margaret Nash Dowdle, his widow; a daughter, Mrs. Charles E. Byrne; three sons, Thomas P. Dowdle, John J. Dowdle and Raymond R. Dowdle who have been associated with him in business; and a brother, Patrick Dowdle.
Mr. Dowdle was a public-spirited citizen, devoted to his family and faithful to his religion. Although he was of a very retiring disposition, his nobility of character endeared him to all who knew him. The esteem in which he was held is best exemplified by the thousands of friends, who called at the home and attended the funeral, which occurred on Monday, January 2nd.
Solemn Requiem Mass was chanted at St. Matthew’s Church at Walnut and Albany Streets, at 10 A.M. Reverend James Burke, of St. Mary’s College, Emmetsburg, Md., was Celebrant. Reverend John J. Gearty was Deacon and Reverend E. Long was Sub-Deacon.
Many nuns from various religious orders were present. Among the priests who attended the funeral were the following: Rev. Thomas J. McDevitt, L. L. D., and Rev. William Lynch, Chaplains to the Bishop, Rev. William H. Agnew, S.J., President of Loyola University.
Right Reverend Bishop E. F. Hoban, D.D., blessed the remains and Reverend Fr. D. O’Brien, D. DD., vice-president of the Catholic Church Extension Society delivered the sermon, taking as his text the words of St. Paul: “I have fought a good fight. I have kept the faith. I have finished my course.” He declared that John Dowdle needed no eulogy, that his exemplary life merited the blessing of Almighty God and that, as a loving father, he had handed down to his children the faith of his forefathers.
John Dowdle
1849-1921
As printed in the magazine PUBLIC SAFETY, Chicago, Illinois. January 9, 1922
Hundreds of Chicago citizens were saddened at the announcement last week of the death of John Dowdle, a pioneer contractor of Chicago and one of the best known and most highly respected citizens of Chicago.
Mr. Dowdle grew up with Chicago, he came to it when he was an infant and it was in its infancy. His long honorable and useful life was spent among us and during all of his life he was honored by his fellow citizens, respected and trusted by all who knew and appreciated his sterling character and many good qualities.
He was a man of strict probity in business affairs, in private life kindly, gentle and considerate, and toward the poor and needy a kind and generous friend and benefactor.
He was one of the old time type of citizens who made the character, laid the foundation and upreared the edifice of Chicago’s greatness. His demise will be felt in many ways for it is a loss not alone to his friends but to the entire community.
Mr. Dowdle died suddenly at his residence, 3010 Washington Boulevard, on December 29th, his wedding anniversary. He came to Chicago when he was 3 years old and was president of the Nash-Dowdle Company on 29 South LaSalle Street for over 40 years, having directed the construction of many of the city’s public improvements, including bridges, tunnels and buildings, as well as extensive contracting undertakings in various parts of the United States. He was born December 24th, 1849 and was married on December 29th, 1886. Those who survive him are Mrs. Margaret Nash Dowdle, his widow; a daughter, Mrs. Charles E. Byrne; three sons, Thomas P. Dowdle, John J. Dowdle and Raymond R. Dowdle who have been associated with him in business; and a brother, Patrick Dowdle.
Mr. Dowdle was a public-spirited citizen, devoted to his family and faithful to his religion. Although he was of a very retiring disposition, his nobility of character endeared him to all who knew him. The esteem in which he was held is best exemplified by the thousands of friends, who called at the home and attended the funeral, which occurred on Monday, January 2nd.
Solemn Requiem Mass was chanted at St. Matthew’s Church at Walnut and Albany Streets, at 10 A.M. Reverend James Burke, of St. Mary’s College, Emmetsburg, Md., was Celebrant. Reverend John J. Gearty was Deacon and Reverend E. Long was Sub-Deacon.
Many nuns from various religious orders were present. Among the priests who attended the funeral were the following: Rev. Thomas J. McDevitt, L. L. D., and Rev. William Lynch, Chaplains to the Bishop, Rev. William H. Agnew, S.J., President of Loyola University.
Right Reverend Bishop E. F. Hoban, D.D., blessed the remains and Reverend Fr. D. O’Brien, D. DD., vice-president of the Catholic Church Extension Society delivered the sermon, taking as his text the words of St. Paul: “I have fought a good fight. I have kept the faith. I have finished my course.” He declared that John Dowdle needed no eulogy, that his exemplary life merited the blessing of Almighty God and that, as a loving father, he had handed down to his children the faith of his forefathers.