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DOUW was a descendant of one of the Dutch pioneer families of Albany, New
York. He was born in that city, August 15, 1842; and, being the eldest son, received the
name of his father, which had been handed down from father to eldest son through many
generations. He fitted for college at Phillips Academy, Andover, Mass., and entered our
Class in 1859, and was with us until graduation. He joined the Chi Psi fraternity; was a
member of the 'Technian Literary Society, president of the Lyceum of Natural History,
president also of Williams Cricket Club, 1859-60; and at the Jackson supper, February
23, 1863, Douw spoke for the Senior class.
Immediately after graduation, Douw spent a few months in study until about
November, 1863, when he went to Pennsylvania as assistant engineer of a coal mine. But
poor health for a few years after leaving college rendered continuous application to work
unadvisable. For three years he spent most of his time at home in Albany, being
occupied in part with attending lectures at the Albany Law School. A trip abroad in
1866, in company with a college classmate, was of great benefit to his health. Soon after
his return he went into business in Albany in the hardware line, dealing chiefly in
agricultural implements, seeds, etc. He was very successful from the start. I judge from
our early Class reports, that in the opening years of his business career he was associated
with his father. He continued this business until his death. In 1874, Douw made
another foreign trip, spending about a year, and extending his travels as far as China.
His death occurred suddenly not long after his return to this country, November 10,
1875, when he was stricken down with heart disease.
Douw married Miss Ella Gould, of New York City, November 29, 1869. They had
one child, a son, born in 1873.
Source:
Class of Sixty-Three Williams College Fortieth Year Report, by
the Class Historian, Thomas Todd Printer, Boston, 1903
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