From the "Memoir of Alphonse Fteley," published in the Proceedings of the American Society of Civil Engineers 31 (Mar 1905), pp. 243-246.
ALPHONSE FTELEY, Past President, Am. Soc. C. E.*
Died June 11th, 1903.
Alphonse Fteley was born in Paris on April 10th, 1837, was educated in France, took the academic degree from the University of France, and, later, was graduated from L'École Polytechnique in 1859. From 1881 to 1884 he was a member of the Committee of Visitors to the Lawrence Scientific School of Harvard University, and, in 1898, he received from Columbia University the degree of M. A.
He began his professional life in France in 1859, and continued there in the general practice of his profession until 1865, when he came to the United States. He located in New York City, and in 1866 entered the office of the late William E. Worthen, Past-President, Am. Soc. C. E., as his general assistant, remaining with him until 1870. Then he opened an office, at 63 Bleecker Street, for general practice, in which he continued until 1873, when he was engaged by the Boston Water Board, under the City Engineer, Joseph P. Davis, M. Am. Soc. C. E., to be Resident Engineer in charge of the construction of the Sudbury River water-works system for the City of Boston. This work, costing about $6 000 000, was at that time considered as among those of the first importance in this country. It comprised several reservoirs, dams, etc., an aqueduct, 15.9 miles long, crossing two valleys on stone arch bridges, and was very successfully carried out. In connection with this work, Mr. Fteley carried out a series of observations for gauging the flow of the Sudbury River. These observations were conducted with great care and skill. With his assistant, F. P. Stearns, M. Am. Soc. C. E., he also conducted a series of experiments on the flow of water over weirs.
In 1880, upon the election of Assistant City Engineer Henry M. Wightman as City Engineer of Boston, Mr. Fteley was appointed Assistant City Engineer, and was engaged in designing many important structures, especially for the Water Works, Main Drainage and Park Systems of the city, until 1884 when he left the service of the City of Boston to accept, from the Aqueduct Commission of New York City, the position of Principal Assistant Engineer on the new Croton Aqueduct, under Mr. Benjamin S. Church, the Chief Engineer.
In 1886 his title was changed to Consulting Engineer, and, in 1888, upon the retirement of Mr. Church, he was appointed Chief Engineer. As Principal Assistant Engineer to Mr. Church, he had charge of the design of the aqueduct, of a dam for the Quaker Bridge site and of other important dams, structures and reservoirs and also of the preparation of the specifications and contracts for their construction. After his appointment as Chief Engineer investigations were renewed for the location and design of the proposed dam to complete the storage of the Croton water-shed, and it was decided to build the New Croton Dam at a point some distance up stream from the Quaker Bridge site.
He was exceptionally qualified by his experience to design and to direct the construction of works of this class, and was, without doubt, one of the best authorities of his time. Mr. Fteley continued his connection with this work until 1899 when he was compelled by ill health to resign and retire from the active practice of his profession. With the exception of the New Croton Dam and the Jerome Park Reservoir, all the important features of the Croton water supply were completed before his retirement.
Mr. Fteley was also engaged in an advisory capacity, and was consulted on many important engineering works. Mention may be made of the following: The works and studies under the charge of the Metropolitan Water Board of Massachusetts; of the Sewerage Commission of New Jersey; of the Rapid Transit Commission of New York City; of the Boston Rapid Transit Commission of 1892; of the Cataract Construction Company, of Niagara Falls, New York; of the Schuylkill Navigation Company; of the Board of Works of Newark, New Jersey; the Aqueduct Tunnel repairs of Washington, D. C; the additional water supply of Rochester, New York; the supply of water to New York City from New Jersey; the additional water supply for Cincinnati, Ohio; and the additional supply for Brooklyn, New York. He was also a member of the Comité Technique of the New French Panama Canal Company.
Mr. Fteley was elected a Member of the American Society of Civil Engineers on January 5th, 1876, and in 1879 read a paper before it entitled "The Flow of the Sudbury River, Massachusetts, for the Years 1876 to 1879." Three years later, in collaboration with his assistant, F. P. Stearns, M. Am. Soc. C. E., he presented what is perhaps his most valuable contribution to the science of hydraulics, a paper entitled "Description of Some Experiments on the Flow of Water Made during the Construction of Works for Conveying the Water of Sudbury River to Boston." This paper received the award of the Norman Medal for 1882. He was active in the management of the Society for a number of years, serving as Director in 1888 and as Vice-President in 1889, 1890 and 1891. In 1898 he was elected President, and, from the expiration of his term to the time of his death, continued to take great interest in the affairs of the Society.
In 1874 Mr. Fteley was elected a member of the Boston Society of Civil Engineers, and of the New England Water Works Association.
Mr. Fteley married in 1869, in New York City, Elise Susanne Maurier, widow of Jules Breuchaud. He left a daughter and four step-children.
An obscure heart trouble from which he suffered during the last thirty years of his life, and which caused two severe illnesses of prolonged duration in 1879 and 1886, limited Mr. Fteley's capacity for work at times, although it seemed to have little effect on results. This was due to his remarkable perceptive faculties, thorough training, and breadth of view, through which he was able to grasp subjects quickly. It was also due to his natural executive capacity. In 1894 his general health began to fail, still further limiting his physical activity. That this in no wise impaired his courage and ability to direct is evident by the progress of the work of the Aqueduct Commissioners after that date and up to the time of his retirement as Chief Engineer, as well as by the important consultations undertaken by him from 1894 to 1901, of which his work as Consulting Engineer to the Metropolitan Water Board of Massachusetts, and as a member of the Comity Technique of the New French Panama Canal Company, can especially be recorded.
Continued failing health impelled his retirement from active duties at the end of 1899, and he died on June 11th, 1903, at his home in Yonkers, New York.
To an attractive and notable personality there was added a remarkable charm of manner which distinguished Mr. Fteley in his relations to all with whom he came in contact. The confidence inspired by his high character, and his kindliness and manifest broad sympathies, caused his subordinates to feel that in him they could always find a friend as well as a respected and acknowledged leader and master, and won the warm regard of every one. His judgments were always based on broad views of affairs, as well as upon intimate knowledge of the essential facts in each question, and they were accordingly abiding. The unlimited patience and generosity which he always exercised toward those who were in any way dependent upon or subordinate to him won their enthusiastic loyalty, and, in consequence, the best that there was in a man was always at his command. This was one of the reasons of Mr. Fteley's remarkable success as an executive, and made it possible for him to accomplish much while the condition of his health was such as to prohibit physical activity on his part. His last years were years of great suffering, owing to a complication of troubles, but his cheerfulness and fortitude did not fail, and he died as he had always lived, the embodiment of gentleness, patience and courage, having advanced to great achievements in the face of extraordinary difficulties, imposed by ill health, and the cares and anxieties resulting therefrom.
*Memoir prepared by the following Committee: William Jackson, Joseph P. Davis, Charles S. Gowen and Charles Warren Hunt, Members, Am. Soc. C. E.
---------------
Yonkers Statesman, 15 June 1903.
Funeral held yesterday afternoon at his late residence in Alta Avenue; the Burial was in Woodlawn Cemetery this morning [June 15, 1903].
ALPHONSE FTELEY, Past President, Am. Soc. C. E.*
Died June 11th, 1903.
Alphonse Fteley was born in Paris on April 10th, 1837, was educated in France, took the academic degree from the University of France, and, later, was graduated from L'École Polytechnique in 1859. From 1881 to 1884 he was a member of the Committee of Visitors to the Lawrence Scientific School of Harvard University, and, in 1898, he received from Columbia University the degree of M. A.
He began his professional life in France in 1859, and continued there in the general practice of his profession until 1865, when he came to the United States. He located in New York City, and in 1866 entered the office of the late William E. Worthen, Past-President, Am. Soc. C. E., as his general assistant, remaining with him until 1870. Then he opened an office, at 63 Bleecker Street, for general practice, in which he continued until 1873, when he was engaged by the Boston Water Board, under the City Engineer, Joseph P. Davis, M. Am. Soc. C. E., to be Resident Engineer in charge of the construction of the Sudbury River water-works system for the City of Boston. This work, costing about $6 000 000, was at that time considered as among those of the first importance in this country. It comprised several reservoirs, dams, etc., an aqueduct, 15.9 miles long, crossing two valleys on stone arch bridges, and was very successfully carried out. In connection with this work, Mr. Fteley carried out a series of observations for gauging the flow of the Sudbury River. These observations were conducted with great care and skill. With his assistant, F. P. Stearns, M. Am. Soc. C. E., he also conducted a series of experiments on the flow of water over weirs.
In 1880, upon the election of Assistant City Engineer Henry M. Wightman as City Engineer of Boston, Mr. Fteley was appointed Assistant City Engineer, and was engaged in designing many important structures, especially for the Water Works, Main Drainage and Park Systems of the city, until 1884 when he left the service of the City of Boston to accept, from the Aqueduct Commission of New York City, the position of Principal Assistant Engineer on the new Croton Aqueduct, under Mr. Benjamin S. Church, the Chief Engineer.
In 1886 his title was changed to Consulting Engineer, and, in 1888, upon the retirement of Mr. Church, he was appointed Chief Engineer. As Principal Assistant Engineer to Mr. Church, he had charge of the design of the aqueduct, of a dam for the Quaker Bridge site and of other important dams, structures and reservoirs and also of the preparation of the specifications and contracts for their construction. After his appointment as Chief Engineer investigations were renewed for the location and design of the proposed dam to complete the storage of the Croton water-shed, and it was decided to build the New Croton Dam at a point some distance up stream from the Quaker Bridge site.
He was exceptionally qualified by his experience to design and to direct the construction of works of this class, and was, without doubt, one of the best authorities of his time. Mr. Fteley continued his connection with this work until 1899 when he was compelled by ill health to resign and retire from the active practice of his profession. With the exception of the New Croton Dam and the Jerome Park Reservoir, all the important features of the Croton water supply were completed before his retirement.
Mr. Fteley was also engaged in an advisory capacity, and was consulted on many important engineering works. Mention may be made of the following: The works and studies under the charge of the Metropolitan Water Board of Massachusetts; of the Sewerage Commission of New Jersey; of the Rapid Transit Commission of New York City; of the Boston Rapid Transit Commission of 1892; of the Cataract Construction Company, of Niagara Falls, New York; of the Schuylkill Navigation Company; of the Board of Works of Newark, New Jersey; the Aqueduct Tunnel repairs of Washington, D. C; the additional water supply of Rochester, New York; the supply of water to New York City from New Jersey; the additional water supply for Cincinnati, Ohio; and the additional supply for Brooklyn, New York. He was also a member of the Comité Technique of the New French Panama Canal Company.
Mr. Fteley was elected a Member of the American Society of Civil Engineers on January 5th, 1876, and in 1879 read a paper before it entitled "The Flow of the Sudbury River, Massachusetts, for the Years 1876 to 1879." Three years later, in collaboration with his assistant, F. P. Stearns, M. Am. Soc. C. E., he presented what is perhaps his most valuable contribution to the science of hydraulics, a paper entitled "Description of Some Experiments on the Flow of Water Made during the Construction of Works for Conveying the Water of Sudbury River to Boston." This paper received the award of the Norman Medal for 1882. He was active in the management of the Society for a number of years, serving as Director in 1888 and as Vice-President in 1889, 1890 and 1891. In 1898 he was elected President, and, from the expiration of his term to the time of his death, continued to take great interest in the affairs of the Society.
In 1874 Mr. Fteley was elected a member of the Boston Society of Civil Engineers, and of the New England Water Works Association.
Mr. Fteley married in 1869, in New York City, Elise Susanne Maurier, widow of Jules Breuchaud. He left a daughter and four step-children.
An obscure heart trouble from which he suffered during the last thirty years of his life, and which caused two severe illnesses of prolonged duration in 1879 and 1886, limited Mr. Fteley's capacity for work at times, although it seemed to have little effect on results. This was due to his remarkable perceptive faculties, thorough training, and breadth of view, through which he was able to grasp subjects quickly. It was also due to his natural executive capacity. In 1894 his general health began to fail, still further limiting his physical activity. That this in no wise impaired his courage and ability to direct is evident by the progress of the work of the Aqueduct Commissioners after that date and up to the time of his retirement as Chief Engineer, as well as by the important consultations undertaken by him from 1894 to 1901, of which his work as Consulting Engineer to the Metropolitan Water Board of Massachusetts, and as a member of the Comity Technique of the New French Panama Canal Company, can especially be recorded.
Continued failing health impelled his retirement from active duties at the end of 1899, and he died on June 11th, 1903, at his home in Yonkers, New York.
To an attractive and notable personality there was added a remarkable charm of manner which distinguished Mr. Fteley in his relations to all with whom he came in contact. The confidence inspired by his high character, and his kindliness and manifest broad sympathies, caused his subordinates to feel that in him they could always find a friend as well as a respected and acknowledged leader and master, and won the warm regard of every one. His judgments were always based on broad views of affairs, as well as upon intimate knowledge of the essential facts in each question, and they were accordingly abiding. The unlimited patience and generosity which he always exercised toward those who were in any way dependent upon or subordinate to him won their enthusiastic loyalty, and, in consequence, the best that there was in a man was always at his command. This was one of the reasons of Mr. Fteley's remarkable success as an executive, and made it possible for him to accomplish much while the condition of his health was such as to prohibit physical activity on his part. His last years were years of great suffering, owing to a complication of troubles, but his cheerfulness and fortitude did not fail, and he died as he had always lived, the embodiment of gentleness, patience and courage, having advanced to great achievements in the face of extraordinary difficulties, imposed by ill health, and the cares and anxieties resulting therefrom.
*Memoir prepared by the following Committee: William Jackson, Joseph P. Davis, Charles S. Gowen and Charles Warren Hunt, Members, Am. Soc. C. E.
---------------
Yonkers Statesman, 15 June 1903.
Funeral held yesterday afternoon at his late residence in Alta Avenue; the Burial was in Woodlawn Cemetery this morning [June 15, 1903].
From the "Memoir of Alphonse Fteley," published in the Proceedings of the American Society of Civil Engineers 31 (Mar 1905), pp. 243-246.
ALPHONSE FTELEY, Past President, Am. Soc. C. E.*
Died June 11th, 1903.
Alphonse Fteley was born in Paris on April 10th, 1837, was educated in France, took the academic degree from the University of France, and, later, was graduated from L'École Polytechnique in 1859. From 1881 to 1884 he was a member of the Committee of Visitors to the Lawrence Scientific School of Harvard University, and, in 1898, he received from Columbia University the degree of M. A.
He began his professional life in France in 1859, and continued there in the general practice of his profession until 1865, when he came to the United States. He located in New York City, and in 1866 entered the office of the late William E. Worthen, Past-President, Am. Soc. C. E., as his general assistant, remaining with him until 1870. Then he opened an office, at 63 Bleecker Street, for general practice, in which he continued until 1873, when he was engaged by the Boston Water Board, under the City Engineer, Joseph P. Davis, M. Am. Soc. C. E., to be Resident Engineer in charge of the construction of the Sudbury River water-works system for the City of Boston. This work, costing about $6 000 000, was at that time considered as among those of the first importance in this country. It comprised several reservoirs, dams, etc., an aqueduct, 15.9 miles long, crossing two valleys on stone arch bridges, and was very successfully carried out. In connection with this work, Mr. Fteley carried out a series of observations for gauging the flow of the Sudbury River. These observations were conducted with great care and skill. With his assistant, F. P. Stearns, M. Am. Soc. C. E., he also conducted a series of experiments on the flow of water over weirs.
In 1880, upon the election of Assistant City Engineer Henry M. Wightman as City Engineer of Boston, Mr. Fteley was appointed Assistant City Engineer, and was engaged in designing many important structures, especially for the Water Works, Main Drainage and Park Systems of the city, until 1884 when he left the service of the City of Boston to accept, from the Aqueduct Commission of New York City, the position of Principal Assistant Engineer on the new Croton Aqueduct, under Mr. Benjamin S. Church, the Chief Engineer.
In 1886 his title was changed to Consulting Engineer, and, in 1888, upon the retirement of Mr. Church, he was appointed Chief Engineer. As Principal Assistant Engineer to Mr. Church, he had charge of the design of the aqueduct, of a dam for the Quaker Bridge site and of other important dams, structures and reservoirs and also of the preparation of the specifications and contracts for their construction. After his appointment as Chief Engineer investigations were renewed for the location and design of the proposed dam to complete the storage of the Croton water-shed, and it was decided to build the New Croton Dam at a point some distance up stream from the Quaker Bridge site.
He was exceptionally qualified by his experience to design and to direct the construction of works of this class, and was, without doubt, one of the best authorities of his time. Mr. Fteley continued his connection with this work until 1899 when he was compelled by ill health to resign and retire from the active practice of his profession. With the exception of the New Croton Dam and the Jerome Park Reservoir, all the important features of the Croton water supply were completed before his retirement.
Mr. Fteley was also engaged in an advisory capacity, and was consulted on many important engineering works. Mention may be made of the following: The works and studies under the charge of the Metropolitan Water Board of Massachusetts; of the Sewerage Commission of New Jersey; of the Rapid Transit Commission of New York City; of the Boston Rapid Transit Commission of 1892; of the Cataract Construction Company, of Niagara Falls, New York; of the Schuylkill Navigation Company; of the Board of Works of Newark, New Jersey; the Aqueduct Tunnel repairs of Washington, D. C; the additional water supply of Rochester, New York; the supply of water to New York City from New Jersey; the additional water supply for Cincinnati, Ohio; and the additional supply for Brooklyn, New York. He was also a member of the Comité Technique of the New French Panama Canal Company.
Mr. Fteley was elected a Member of the American Society of Civil Engineers on January 5th, 1876, and in 1879 read a paper before it entitled "The Flow of the Sudbury River, Massachusetts, for the Years 1876 to 1879." Three years later, in collaboration with his assistant, F. P. Stearns, M. Am. Soc. C. E., he presented what is perhaps his most valuable contribution to the science of hydraulics, a paper entitled "Description of Some Experiments on the Flow of Water Made during the Construction of Works for Conveying the Water of Sudbury River to Boston." This paper received the award of the Norman Medal for 1882. He was active in the management of the Society for a number of years, serving as Director in 1888 and as Vice-President in 1889, 1890 and 1891. In 1898 he was elected President, and, from the expiration of his term to the time of his death, continued to take great interest in the affairs of the Society.
In 1874 Mr. Fteley was elected a member of the Boston Society of Civil Engineers, and of the New England Water Works Association.
Mr. Fteley married in 1869, in New York City, Elise Susanne Maurier, widow of Jules Breuchaud. He left a daughter and four step-children.
An obscure heart trouble from which he suffered during the last thirty years of his life, and which caused two severe illnesses of prolonged duration in 1879 and 1886, limited Mr. Fteley's capacity for work at times, although it seemed to have little effect on results. This was due to his remarkable perceptive faculties, thorough training, and breadth of view, through which he was able to grasp subjects quickly. It was also due to his natural executive capacity. In 1894 his general health began to fail, still further limiting his physical activity. That this in no wise impaired his courage and ability to direct is evident by the progress of the work of the Aqueduct Commissioners after that date and up to the time of his retirement as Chief Engineer, as well as by the important consultations undertaken by him from 1894 to 1901, of which his work as Consulting Engineer to the Metropolitan Water Board of Massachusetts, and as a member of the Comity Technique of the New French Panama Canal Company, can especially be recorded.
Continued failing health impelled his retirement from active duties at the end of 1899, and he died on June 11th, 1903, at his home in Yonkers, New York.
To an attractive and notable personality there was added a remarkable charm of manner which distinguished Mr. Fteley in his relations to all with whom he came in contact. The confidence inspired by his high character, and his kindliness and manifest broad sympathies, caused his subordinates to feel that in him they could always find a friend as well as a respected and acknowledged leader and master, and won the warm regard of every one. His judgments were always based on broad views of affairs, as well as upon intimate knowledge of the essential facts in each question, and they were accordingly abiding. The unlimited patience and generosity which he always exercised toward those who were in any way dependent upon or subordinate to him won their enthusiastic loyalty, and, in consequence, the best that there was in a man was always at his command. This was one of the reasons of Mr. Fteley's remarkable success as an executive, and made it possible for him to accomplish much while the condition of his health was such as to prohibit physical activity on his part. His last years were years of great suffering, owing to a complication of troubles, but his cheerfulness and fortitude did not fail, and he died as he had always lived, the embodiment of gentleness, patience and courage, having advanced to great achievements in the face of extraordinary difficulties, imposed by ill health, and the cares and anxieties resulting therefrom.
*Memoir prepared by the following Committee: William Jackson, Joseph P. Davis, Charles S. Gowen and Charles Warren Hunt, Members, Am. Soc. C. E.
---------------
Yonkers Statesman, 15 June 1903.
Funeral held yesterday afternoon at his late residence in Alta Avenue; the Burial was in Woodlawn Cemetery this morning [June 15, 1903].
ALPHONSE FTELEY, Past President, Am. Soc. C. E.*
Died June 11th, 1903.
Alphonse Fteley was born in Paris on April 10th, 1837, was educated in France, took the academic degree from the University of France, and, later, was graduated from L'École Polytechnique in 1859. From 1881 to 1884 he was a member of the Committee of Visitors to the Lawrence Scientific School of Harvard University, and, in 1898, he received from Columbia University the degree of M. A.
He began his professional life in France in 1859, and continued there in the general practice of his profession until 1865, when he came to the United States. He located in New York City, and in 1866 entered the office of the late William E. Worthen, Past-President, Am. Soc. C. E., as his general assistant, remaining with him until 1870. Then he opened an office, at 63 Bleecker Street, for general practice, in which he continued until 1873, when he was engaged by the Boston Water Board, under the City Engineer, Joseph P. Davis, M. Am. Soc. C. E., to be Resident Engineer in charge of the construction of the Sudbury River water-works system for the City of Boston. This work, costing about $6 000 000, was at that time considered as among those of the first importance in this country. It comprised several reservoirs, dams, etc., an aqueduct, 15.9 miles long, crossing two valleys on stone arch bridges, and was very successfully carried out. In connection with this work, Mr. Fteley carried out a series of observations for gauging the flow of the Sudbury River. These observations were conducted with great care and skill. With his assistant, F. P. Stearns, M. Am. Soc. C. E., he also conducted a series of experiments on the flow of water over weirs.
In 1880, upon the election of Assistant City Engineer Henry M. Wightman as City Engineer of Boston, Mr. Fteley was appointed Assistant City Engineer, and was engaged in designing many important structures, especially for the Water Works, Main Drainage and Park Systems of the city, until 1884 when he left the service of the City of Boston to accept, from the Aqueduct Commission of New York City, the position of Principal Assistant Engineer on the new Croton Aqueduct, under Mr. Benjamin S. Church, the Chief Engineer.
In 1886 his title was changed to Consulting Engineer, and, in 1888, upon the retirement of Mr. Church, he was appointed Chief Engineer. As Principal Assistant Engineer to Mr. Church, he had charge of the design of the aqueduct, of a dam for the Quaker Bridge site and of other important dams, structures and reservoirs and also of the preparation of the specifications and contracts for their construction. After his appointment as Chief Engineer investigations were renewed for the location and design of the proposed dam to complete the storage of the Croton water-shed, and it was decided to build the New Croton Dam at a point some distance up stream from the Quaker Bridge site.
He was exceptionally qualified by his experience to design and to direct the construction of works of this class, and was, without doubt, one of the best authorities of his time. Mr. Fteley continued his connection with this work until 1899 when he was compelled by ill health to resign and retire from the active practice of his profession. With the exception of the New Croton Dam and the Jerome Park Reservoir, all the important features of the Croton water supply were completed before his retirement.
Mr. Fteley was also engaged in an advisory capacity, and was consulted on many important engineering works. Mention may be made of the following: The works and studies under the charge of the Metropolitan Water Board of Massachusetts; of the Sewerage Commission of New Jersey; of the Rapid Transit Commission of New York City; of the Boston Rapid Transit Commission of 1892; of the Cataract Construction Company, of Niagara Falls, New York; of the Schuylkill Navigation Company; of the Board of Works of Newark, New Jersey; the Aqueduct Tunnel repairs of Washington, D. C; the additional water supply of Rochester, New York; the supply of water to New York City from New Jersey; the additional water supply for Cincinnati, Ohio; and the additional supply for Brooklyn, New York. He was also a member of the Comité Technique of the New French Panama Canal Company.
Mr. Fteley was elected a Member of the American Society of Civil Engineers on January 5th, 1876, and in 1879 read a paper before it entitled "The Flow of the Sudbury River, Massachusetts, for the Years 1876 to 1879." Three years later, in collaboration with his assistant, F. P. Stearns, M. Am. Soc. C. E., he presented what is perhaps his most valuable contribution to the science of hydraulics, a paper entitled "Description of Some Experiments on the Flow of Water Made during the Construction of Works for Conveying the Water of Sudbury River to Boston." This paper received the award of the Norman Medal for 1882. He was active in the management of the Society for a number of years, serving as Director in 1888 and as Vice-President in 1889, 1890 and 1891. In 1898 he was elected President, and, from the expiration of his term to the time of his death, continued to take great interest in the affairs of the Society.
In 1874 Mr. Fteley was elected a member of the Boston Society of Civil Engineers, and of the New England Water Works Association.
Mr. Fteley married in 1869, in New York City, Elise Susanne Maurier, widow of Jules Breuchaud. He left a daughter and four step-children.
An obscure heart trouble from which he suffered during the last thirty years of his life, and which caused two severe illnesses of prolonged duration in 1879 and 1886, limited Mr. Fteley's capacity for work at times, although it seemed to have little effect on results. This was due to his remarkable perceptive faculties, thorough training, and breadth of view, through which he was able to grasp subjects quickly. It was also due to his natural executive capacity. In 1894 his general health began to fail, still further limiting his physical activity. That this in no wise impaired his courage and ability to direct is evident by the progress of the work of the Aqueduct Commissioners after that date and up to the time of his retirement as Chief Engineer, as well as by the important consultations undertaken by him from 1894 to 1901, of which his work as Consulting Engineer to the Metropolitan Water Board of Massachusetts, and as a member of the Comity Technique of the New French Panama Canal Company, can especially be recorded.
Continued failing health impelled his retirement from active duties at the end of 1899, and he died on June 11th, 1903, at his home in Yonkers, New York.
To an attractive and notable personality there was added a remarkable charm of manner which distinguished Mr. Fteley in his relations to all with whom he came in contact. The confidence inspired by his high character, and his kindliness and manifest broad sympathies, caused his subordinates to feel that in him they could always find a friend as well as a respected and acknowledged leader and master, and won the warm regard of every one. His judgments were always based on broad views of affairs, as well as upon intimate knowledge of the essential facts in each question, and they were accordingly abiding. The unlimited patience and generosity which he always exercised toward those who were in any way dependent upon or subordinate to him won their enthusiastic loyalty, and, in consequence, the best that there was in a man was always at his command. This was one of the reasons of Mr. Fteley's remarkable success as an executive, and made it possible for him to accomplish much while the condition of his health was such as to prohibit physical activity on his part. His last years were years of great suffering, owing to a complication of troubles, but his cheerfulness and fortitude did not fail, and he died as he had always lived, the embodiment of gentleness, patience and courage, having advanced to great achievements in the face of extraordinary difficulties, imposed by ill health, and the cares and anxieties resulting therefrom.
*Memoir prepared by the following Committee: William Jackson, Joseph P. Davis, Charles S. Gowen and Charles Warren Hunt, Members, Am. Soc. C. E.
---------------
Yonkers Statesman, 15 June 1903.
Funeral held yesterday afternoon at his late residence in Alta Avenue; the Burial was in Woodlawn Cemetery this morning [June 15, 1903].
