Bertram M. Downs

Obituary

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Bertram M. Downs, one of the pioneers in the sales branch of the electrical manufacturing industry, died on Oct. 29 from apoplexy. Mr. Downs at the time of death was about fifty-five years old and had been connected with the industry for the past thirty-two years. He started as a young man with what is now the Brookfield Glass Company and rapidly worked his way up, taking complete charge of sales. He became secretary of the company at the time of its incorporation in 1898 and in 1894 was elected a vice-president. At the time of his resignation in the spring of 1912 he was also a director of the company. A few weeks later he became associated with the Hemingray Glass Company of Covington, Ky., of which he was general sales manager at the time of his death. "Bert" Downs, as he was familiarly known throughout the entire industry, was one of the charter members of the Electrical Manufacturer's Club and was very active in building the club up. For two years he was secretary of the club, and later he was president for two years. Mr. Downs had a host of friends among the manufacturers, jobbers and contractors, and his genial personality will be genuinely missed.