DOWD, COLLINS

Posted by Cathy Gowdy on Saturday, March 29, 2014 at 07:42:09 :

San Anselmo Herald
Saturday, April 27, 1912

Ex-Supervisor Dowd Dead

Charles J. Dowd died in Mill Valley on Tuesday, April 25th, in the 47th year of his age. The deceased was born and reared in Marin County, and was at one time a county supervisor.

The flag hung at half mast from the court house at San Rafael in respect to his memory. Mr. Dowd has been ailing for several months and finally succumbed to an attack of grip. The funeral took place on Friday afternoon and was in charge of the San Francisco Lodge of Elks, No. 3. The interment was in Fernwood cemetery, Sausalito.

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Sausalito News
Saturday, April 27, 1912
Page 3

Ex-Supervisor Dowd Called
Was Very Prominent

A shadow of deep gloom was thrown over Southern Marln when the death of Charles James Dowd, ex-chairman of the Board of Supervisors of Marin County and a very prominent and progressive citizen of Southern Marin, was announced and everyone extended their sincere sympathy to his beloved wife, his children and his relatives in their untimely and sad bereavement. He was only forty seven years old, but during that time he had done more practical charity and philanthropy than many another would do in several centuries, for his disposition was always to help the needy unostentatiously and not have it proclaimed broadcast. Marin has lost one of its best citizens, his wife a loving and companionable husband, his children an excellent father, his brothers and sisters, one who has always been like a father to them.

For some time past Mr. Dowd has not been in the best of health, but nothing serious. About two weeks ago, he was taken ill and during the last week of his illness was confined to his bed. Tuesday morning surrounded by his loving family, he passed quietly away with his ever peaceful smile on his face. Heart failure was the cause of his death. From Tuesday afternoon and until the hour of the funeral hundreds of friends viewed their friend for the last time, many leaving magnificent floral pieces.

On Friday the funeral was held and he was laid close to his mother in Fernwood Cemetery. The funeral was the largest ever held in Mill Valley and was attended by people from all walks of life. Rev. Father Sesnon said the Catholic services at the grave. San Francisco Lodge of Elks held funeral services over the remains in the Masonic Hall at Mill Valley. The Hall was densely crowded. Among the pall bearers and honorary pall bearers were very prominent citizens, several of whom were playmates with the deceased.

The flag at the Court House in San Rafael was at half mast out of respect for the deceased.

Charles James Dowd was the oldest living son of the late Michael, one of the must influential, hospitable and charitable residents of the County in the early sixties. Charles Dowd was born in 1865 on the Dowd ranch near San Clemente Station, then called Corte Madera. He inherited the charming qualities of his parents. In 1890, he returned after an absence of four years in Wyoming and made his home in Mill Valley and became a contractor and liveryman. That was when Mill Valley consisted of half a dozen houses and was being laid out. He took an active interest In the upbuild of Mill Valley and later on at the earnest solicitation of the citizens of Southern Marin ran and was e1ected Supervisor, serving one term and being chairman of the Board, leaving with an excellent record. Ho was always a very staunch and progressive Democrat. He was a charter member and one of the organizers and strong supporters of the Mill Valley Volunteer Fire Department, a member of San Francisco Lodge No. 3 of Elks, the U. P. E. C., and the I. D. E. S. societies. At the time of his death, he was a prominent contractor and liveryman of Mill Valley, and was always identified with every movement beneficial to the community. He was full of civic pride. He had no petty jealousies, he was a big man with an overflowing heart.

He was the husband of Emma C. Dowd, father of Irvine C., Vivian, Charlotte and Emma Dowd, brother of Geo. W. and Lillie R. Dowd, Henry and Olive Collins.