DEATH SUMMONS ANOTHER PIONEER--JEREMIAH J. DESMOND FOUND DEAD IN HIS APARTMENTS AT HOTEL MARGUERITE
Jeremiah J. Desmond, one of the oldest and best known insurance men of San Francisco died Wednesday night of apoplexy at his apartments in the Hotel Marguerite, 511 Turk street. At first it was thought that his death was due to accidental asphyxiation, but an investigation of the circumstances proved this to be untrue. It was Mr. Desmond's custom to retire every night about 11 o'clock and to rise in the morning at 8 o'clock for the purpose of reading his morning paper in bed. Yesterday the Japanese servant who is employed at the Marguerite noticed that the paper was outside of the door and when he attempted to open the door for the purpose of taking the paper into the room he found it locked. His attention was next attracted by the odor of gas. W. H. Powers, the manager of the hotel, was notified. He gained an entrance to the room and found the body of Mr. Desmond on the floor. Death had evidently ensued several hours before, as the remainds were cold and stiff. Powers declares that there was not enough gas in the room to have caused death. The key to the gas jet was only partially turned.
Mr. Desmond was an old man and very stout. He was inclined to apoplexy, and, in fact, for several days he had been complaining of dizziness. The supposition is that he was suddenly atttacked in the night and that he attempted to rise and turn on the gas, and that he was overcome before he could do so. None of his family nor any of the employees of the hotel know of any reason why Mr. Desmond should desire to commit suicide. When he retired Wednesday night he was apparently in the best of health and spirits. Dr. W. P. Chalmers, the State Quarantine Officer, who is a nephew of the deceased, and Coroner Hill believe that the death was accidental. Dr. Chalmers notified Mr. Desmond's family of his death. They were at his country home near Walnut Creek in Contra Costa County. Mrs. Desmond and her sons Henry and Paul reached the city yesterday afternoon and took charge of the remains, which were removed to undertaking parlors, where the autopsy was held. The deceased also leaves one other son, William Desmond. In addition to the immediate family, Mr. Desmond is survived by his sisters, Mrs. Mary D. Chalmers and Mrs. Honora Lawler, and a brother, C. Desmond, of this city. There is also another brother residing in Los Angeles. The funeral will take place tomorrow and the remains will be temporarily interred in Calvary Cemetery, in the plat of Paul Desmond.
The deceased was 71 years of age and a native of Ireland. He came to this country when a young man and located in Massachusetts, where he married. About thirty years ago, he moved with his family to San Francisco. He is well remembered as one of the early pioneer retail merchants of this city. With his brother, C. Desmond, he conducted for a number of years a large hat store at the corner of New Montgomery and Market streets. He next engaged in the fire insurance business with which he has been identified ever since up to the time of his death. During his life Mr Desmond represented a number of large insurance companies, among them being the Lancashire Fire Insurance Company. He at one time also represented several French companies.
Mr. Desmond was at his office on Wednesday, and in consequence his sudden death was a great shock to the many people who knew him and enjoyed his friendship. He was a man of the highest integrity and held the confidence and esteem of all with whom he had any business dealings. In private life he endeared himself to his friends and family by his kindly nature and gentle disposition.
In his younger days the deceased was a pupil of Gilmore, the famous band conductor, and under his tutorship became an excellent coronet soloist. Later on, with three others he organized Desmond's brass band, which enjoyed a fine reputation. Up to the time of his death, Mr. Desmond always took a deep interest in musical affairs, and was a member of Professor McKenzie's Choral Society.
--The San Francisco Call, San Francisco, Calif., April 20, 1899.
Son of Patrick Desmond, b. abt. 1785, Ireland, d. 17 Oct 1864, Lawrence, Essex, Massachusetts, and Ellen (Unknown), b. abt. 1789, Ireland, d. 22 Mar 1873, San Francisco.
Jeremiah J. Desmond, one of the oldest and best known insurance men of San Francisco died Wednesday night of apoplexy at his apartments in the Hotel Marguerite, 511 Turk street. At first it was thought that his death was due to accidental asphyxiation, but an investigation of the circumstances proved this to be untrue. It was Mr. Desmond's custom to retire every night about 11 o'clock and to rise in the morning at 8 o'clock for the purpose of reading his morning paper in bed. Yesterday the Japanese servant who is employed at the Marguerite noticed that the paper was outside of the door and when he attempted to open the door for the purpose of taking the paper into the room he found it locked. His attention was next attracted by the odor of gas. W. H. Powers, the manager of the hotel, was notified. He gained an entrance to the room and found the body of Mr. Desmond on the floor. Death had evidently ensued several hours before, as the remainds were cold and stiff. Powers declares that there was not enough gas in the room to have caused death. The key to the gas jet was only partially turned.
Mr. Desmond was an old man and very stout. He was inclined to apoplexy, and, in fact, for several days he had been complaining of dizziness. The supposition is that he was suddenly atttacked in the night and that he attempted to rise and turn on the gas, and that he was overcome before he could do so. None of his family nor any of the employees of the hotel know of any reason why Mr. Desmond should desire to commit suicide. When he retired Wednesday night he was apparently in the best of health and spirits. Dr. W. P. Chalmers, the State Quarantine Officer, who is a nephew of the deceased, and Coroner Hill believe that the death was accidental. Dr. Chalmers notified Mr. Desmond's family of his death. They were at his country home near Walnut Creek in Contra Costa County. Mrs. Desmond and her sons Henry and Paul reached the city yesterday afternoon and took charge of the remains, which were removed to undertaking parlors, where the autopsy was held. The deceased also leaves one other son, William Desmond. In addition to the immediate family, Mr. Desmond is survived by his sisters, Mrs. Mary D. Chalmers and Mrs. Honora Lawler, and a brother, C. Desmond, of this city. There is also another brother residing in Los Angeles. The funeral will take place tomorrow and the remains will be temporarily interred in Calvary Cemetery, in the plat of Paul Desmond.
The deceased was 71 years of age and a native of Ireland. He came to this country when a young man and located in Massachusetts, where he married. About thirty years ago, he moved with his family to San Francisco. He is well remembered as one of the early pioneer retail merchants of this city. With his brother, C. Desmond, he conducted for a number of years a large hat store at the corner of New Montgomery and Market streets. He next engaged in the fire insurance business with which he has been identified ever since up to the time of his death. During his life Mr Desmond represented a number of large insurance companies, among them being the Lancashire Fire Insurance Company. He at one time also represented several French companies.
Mr. Desmond was at his office on Wednesday, and in consequence his sudden death was a great shock to the many people who knew him and enjoyed his friendship. He was a man of the highest integrity and held the confidence and esteem of all with whom he had any business dealings. In private life he endeared himself to his friends and family by his kindly nature and gentle disposition.
In his younger days the deceased was a pupil of Gilmore, the famous band conductor, and under his tutorship became an excellent coronet soloist. Later on, with three others he organized Desmond's brass band, which enjoyed a fine reputation. Up to the time of his death, Mr. Desmond always took a deep interest in musical affairs, and was a member of Professor McKenzie's Choral Society.
--The San Francisco Call, San Francisco, Calif., April 20, 1899.
Son of Patrick Desmond, b. abt. 1785, Ireland, d. 17 Oct 1864, Lawrence, Essex, Massachusetts, and Ellen (Unknown), b. abt. 1789, Ireland, d. 22 Mar 1873, San Francisco.
DEATH SUMMONS ANOTHER PIONEER--JEREMIAH J. DESMOND FOUND DEAD IN HIS APARTMENTS AT HOTEL MARGUERITE
Jeremiah J. Desmond, one of the oldest and best known insurance men of San Francisco died Wednesday night of apoplexy at his apartments in the Hotel Marguerite, 511 Turk street. At first it was thought that his death was due to accidental asphyxiation, but an investigation of the circumstances proved this to be untrue. It was Mr. Desmond's custom to retire every night about 11 o'clock and to rise in the morning at 8 o'clock for the purpose of reading his morning paper in bed. Yesterday the Japanese servant who is employed at the Marguerite noticed that the paper was outside of the door and when he attempted to open the door for the purpose of taking the paper into the room he found it locked. His attention was next attracted by the odor of gas. W. H. Powers, the manager of the hotel, was notified. He gained an entrance to the room and found the body of Mr. Desmond on the floor. Death had evidently ensued several hours before, as the remainds were cold and stiff. Powers declares that there was not enough gas in the room to have caused death. The key to the gas jet was only partially turned.
Mr. Desmond was an old man and very stout. He was inclined to apoplexy, and, in fact, for several days he had been complaining of dizziness. The supposition is that he was suddenly atttacked in the night and that he attempted to rise and turn on the gas, and that he was overcome before he could do so. None of his family nor any of the employees of the hotel know of any reason why Mr. Desmond should desire to commit suicide. When he retired Wednesday night he was apparently in the best of health and spirits. Dr. W. P. Chalmers, the State Quarantine Officer, who is a nephew of the deceased, and Coroner Hill believe that the death was accidental. Dr. Chalmers notified Mr. Desmond's family of his death. They were at his country home near Walnut Creek in Contra Costa County. Mrs. Desmond and her sons Henry and Paul reached the city yesterday afternoon and took charge of the remains, which were removed to undertaking parlors, where the autopsy was held. The deceased also leaves one other son, William Desmond. In addition to the immediate family, Mr. Desmond is survived by his sisters, Mrs. Mary D. Chalmers and Mrs. Honora Lawler, and a brother, C. Desmond, of this city. There is also another brother residing in Los Angeles. The funeral will take place tomorrow and the remains will be temporarily interred in Calvary Cemetery, in the plat of Paul Desmond.
The deceased was 71 years of age and a native of Ireland. He came to this country when a young man and located in Massachusetts, where he married. About thirty years ago, he moved with his family to San Francisco. He is well remembered as one of the early pioneer retail merchants of this city. With his brother, C. Desmond, he conducted for a number of years a large hat store at the corner of New Montgomery and Market streets. He next engaged in the fire insurance business with which he has been identified ever since up to the time of his death. During his life Mr Desmond represented a number of large insurance companies, among them being the Lancashire Fire Insurance Company. He at one time also represented several French companies.
Mr. Desmond was at his office on Wednesday, and in consequence his sudden death was a great shock to the many people who knew him and enjoyed his friendship. He was a man of the highest integrity and held the confidence and esteem of all with whom he had any business dealings. In private life he endeared himself to his friends and family by his kindly nature and gentle disposition.
In his younger days the deceased was a pupil of Gilmore, the famous band conductor, and under his tutorship became an excellent coronet soloist. Later on, with three others he organized Desmond's brass band, which enjoyed a fine reputation. Up to the time of his death, Mr. Desmond always took a deep interest in musical affairs, and was a member of Professor McKenzie's Choral Society.
--The San Francisco Call, San Francisco, Calif., April 20, 1899.
Son of Patrick Desmond, b. abt. 1785, Ireland, d. 17 Oct 1864, Lawrence, Essex, Massachusetts, and Ellen (Unknown), b. abt. 1789, Ireland, d. 22 Mar 1873, San Francisco.
Jeremiah J. Desmond, one of the oldest and best known insurance men of San Francisco died Wednesday night of apoplexy at his apartments in the Hotel Marguerite, 511 Turk street. At first it was thought that his death was due to accidental asphyxiation, but an investigation of the circumstances proved this to be untrue. It was Mr. Desmond's custom to retire every night about 11 o'clock and to rise in the morning at 8 o'clock for the purpose of reading his morning paper in bed. Yesterday the Japanese servant who is employed at the Marguerite noticed that the paper was outside of the door and when he attempted to open the door for the purpose of taking the paper into the room he found it locked. His attention was next attracted by the odor of gas. W. H. Powers, the manager of the hotel, was notified. He gained an entrance to the room and found the body of Mr. Desmond on the floor. Death had evidently ensued several hours before, as the remainds were cold and stiff. Powers declares that there was not enough gas in the room to have caused death. The key to the gas jet was only partially turned.
Mr. Desmond was an old man and very stout. He was inclined to apoplexy, and, in fact, for several days he had been complaining of dizziness. The supposition is that he was suddenly atttacked in the night and that he attempted to rise and turn on the gas, and that he was overcome before he could do so. None of his family nor any of the employees of the hotel know of any reason why Mr. Desmond should desire to commit suicide. When he retired Wednesday night he was apparently in the best of health and spirits. Dr. W. P. Chalmers, the State Quarantine Officer, who is a nephew of the deceased, and Coroner Hill believe that the death was accidental. Dr. Chalmers notified Mr. Desmond's family of his death. They were at his country home near Walnut Creek in Contra Costa County. Mrs. Desmond and her sons Henry and Paul reached the city yesterday afternoon and took charge of the remains, which were removed to undertaking parlors, where the autopsy was held. The deceased also leaves one other son, William Desmond. In addition to the immediate family, Mr. Desmond is survived by his sisters, Mrs. Mary D. Chalmers and Mrs. Honora Lawler, and a brother, C. Desmond, of this city. There is also another brother residing in Los Angeles. The funeral will take place tomorrow and the remains will be temporarily interred in Calvary Cemetery, in the plat of Paul Desmond.
The deceased was 71 years of age and a native of Ireland. He came to this country when a young man and located in Massachusetts, where he married. About thirty years ago, he moved with his family to San Francisco. He is well remembered as one of the early pioneer retail merchants of this city. With his brother, C. Desmond, he conducted for a number of years a large hat store at the corner of New Montgomery and Market streets. He next engaged in the fire insurance business with which he has been identified ever since up to the time of his death. During his life Mr Desmond represented a number of large insurance companies, among them being the Lancashire Fire Insurance Company. He at one time also represented several French companies.
Mr. Desmond was at his office on Wednesday, and in consequence his sudden death was a great shock to the many people who knew him and enjoyed his friendship. He was a man of the highest integrity and held the confidence and esteem of all with whom he had any business dealings. In private life he endeared himself to his friends and family by his kindly nature and gentle disposition.
In his younger days the deceased was a pupil of Gilmore, the famous band conductor, and under his tutorship became an excellent coronet soloist. Later on, with three others he organized Desmond's brass band, which enjoyed a fine reputation. Up to the time of his death, Mr. Desmond always took a deep interest in musical affairs, and was a member of Professor McKenzie's Choral Society.
--The San Francisco Call, San Francisco, Calif., April 20, 1899.
Son of Patrick Desmond, b. abt. 1785, Ireland, d. 17 Oct 1864, Lawrence, Essex, Massachusetts, and Ellen (Unknown), b. abt. 1789, Ireland, d. 22 Mar 1873, San Francisco.
Gravesite Details
Orignally buried Calvary Cemetery, San Francisco. Removed 1924.
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