William Howard Doane

Doane worked between 1832 and 1915 across composer. This article rests on 20 catalogued compositions, 3 published texts and 9 scholarly references drawn from named institutional registers. Every statement below returns to a source shown in the evidence panel; where the record is silent or divided, the article says so instead of resolving it.

• Birth Name — William Howard Doane • Born — 3 February 1832 • Birthplace — Preston, Connecticut, US • Died — 24 December 1915 • Place of death — South Orange, New Jersey, US • Occupation — Manufacturer, inventor, church leader, hymn writer, philanthropist • Children — 2 • Education — Denison University (honorary doctorate) • Known for — Hymn writing, multiple patents, philanthropy

Doane was born in Preston, Connecticut on February 3, 1832. His parents were Joseph Howes Doane (1797–1854) and Frances Treat Doane (1799–1881). He was the fifth of eight children. His father was the head of Doane and Treat, cotton manufacturers. At a young age Doane showed impressive musical talent. By early adolescence he was playing the flute, violin and double bass fiddle. Doane attended the Woodstock Academy, a private secondary school in Woodstock, Connecticut, affiliated with the Congregational church. His musical talents enabled him to serve as the school's choir director. Upon graduation in 1848, Doane went to work in the accounting section of his father's company. From there he moved to J. A. Fay & Company, a woodworking machinery company, for a long career leading to the company's presidency. On November 2, 1857, Doane married Mary Frances Treat, the daughter of his father's partner in their cotton manufacturing business.

Doane assumed increasing responsibility with J. A. Fay & Company, as he traveled to assignments in Chicago, Illinois and Cincinnati, Ohio. By the age of thirty-four, Doane had risen to the position of president at the company's new headquarters in Cincinnati. • Illustration — Sunny Side, Doane residence During his leadership, the company successfully filed many patents for woodmaking machinery. More than seventy patents were registered in Doane's name, giving him credit for the inventions. Doane guided the company through its most successful years. His business skills extended beyond manufacturing. He was the president of the Central Trust and Safe Deposit Company, as well as a director of the Barney and Smith Car Company of Dayton, Ohio. His achievements earned him "fellow" status in several professional organizations, including the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the American Society of Mining Engineers, the American Geographical Society and the American Society for the Advancement of Science. Doane emerged as a prominent figure in Cincinnati's business and cultural life. By 1879 his accumulated wealth allowed him to purchase the impressive "Sunny Side" mansion as his family's residence in the city's Mt. Auburn neighborhood. "Sunny Side" is located in the Mount Auburn Historic District at 2223 Mt. Auburn Avenue.

Although raised in a Presbyterian household, Doane converted to his mother's Baptist faith, while a young student at Woodstock Academy. This conversion began a lifelong commitment to service in that church, through his musical compositions, choir direction, denominational leadership and philanthropy. Doane was a prolific composer of Christian hymn tunes. He edited forty-three collections of hymns and composed an estimated 2,300 works, including hundreds of original hymns and hymn settings. He is best known as a longtime collaborator of Fanny Crosby, having written music for an estimated 1,500 of Crosby's poems. As well as hymns, Doane composed secular instrumental, vocal, and choral works, including two cantatas on the legend of Santa Claus. At Mt. Auburn Baptist Church in Cincinnati's Mt. Auburn neighborhood, Doane served long tenures as superintendent of the Sunday school program and director of the choir. As a denominational leader, he headed the Ohio Baptist Convention Ministers Aid Society. The church is located on Mt. Auburn Avenue, a short distance from the Doane family's "Sunny Side" residence.

Doane generously supported Baptist churches and institutions. He was an important contributor to the Granville Academy, a school for boys preparing to enter Denison University, a school with strong Baptist heritage. In recognition of his significant support for the academy, including funds to construct conservatory buildings for music and art and a gymnasium, the academy was renamed the Doane Academy in 1895.

• Illustration — Doane Administration (1895), location of the university's administrative offices • Illustration — Doane Dance Building (1905), originally a gymnasium, then home to the Art Department, since 1975 home to the Dance Department • Illustration — William Howard Doane Library (1937), gift of Doane's daughters in their father's memory • Illustration — Pipe organ donated by William Howard Doane and located in the Library During his lifetime and through bequests in his will, Doane's philanthropy included Denison University, Moody Bible Institute, Baptist churches, the YMCA, the Fanny Doane Home for Missionary Children in Granville and many other religious and civic organizations. After Doane's death, his wife and daughters continued the philanthropic work. His daughter Marguerite was a co-founder in 1927 of the Association of Baptists for World Evangelism. Her generous financial donations supported the organization through its early years.

• Illustration — Doane family plot at Spring Grove Cemetery After retirement from his business interests, Doane remained productive with music composition, choral direction, church work and philanthropy. With his wife and daughters he spent two years traveling in Europe. In 1894 Doane purchased 'Echo Lodge' in Watch Hill, Rhode Island (3 Aquidneck Avenue) as a seasonal seaside residence. Echo Lodge was located less than thirty miles from Preston, Connecticut, the childhood home of both Doane and his wife. Doane died in South Orange, New Jersey on December 24, 1915. Along with other family members, he is buried in Spring Grove Cemetery in Cincinnati. See also Weekapaug Inn, 25 Spray Rock Rd. Westerly, RI Doane, Ralph Harrington

William Howard Doane is recorded as a citizen of United States. Recorded with the occupation composer. Established in GND (German National Library) under 13543291X. William Howard Doane is established in Library of Congress under nr92010064. Established in FAST under 302344.