THROUGH THE ARCHIVES: City loses 'outstanding figure' with the death of leading businessman

On this day in 1938 the News Letter noted the death of Mr Charles J Agnew of Macedon, Whitehouse, who had played a prominent role in commercial life in the city.

The News Letter detailed: “We regret to announce the death of Mr Charles J Agnew, Macedon, Whitehouse, which occurred at his residence early yesterday morning after a brief illness. By Mr Agnew's death, the commercial life of the city has lost an outstanding figure, one who played important part in the development of business enterprises with which he was connected.

“A member of an old and highly respected family whose association with Ulster dates back Plantation days, Mr Agnew upheld the traditions of ancestors. The family came from Loughnaw, Scotland, and settled Redhill House, Lisnashanker, Dromore, Co Down, the estate being a government grant dated 1613. The property was held, unbroken, over the long period of some 300 years. It was not until 1910 that Mr Agnew disposed of it.

“It is of interest to record that another branch of Mr Agnew's family secured a grant of a similar character in Co Antrim at Kilwaughter, Larne.

“Mr Charles J Agnew enjoyed the reputation of being a keen businessman, thoroughgoing in his methods and scrupulously fair all his dealings; he was trusted by his associates and was respected by all with whom he came into contact.

“More than forty years ago he founded the firm of Messrs Agnew & Brownlie, estate agents, High Street, Belfast. Subsequently the style and title of the firm was changed to Agnew & Son, and with the demands of business expansion the firm removed May Street.

“Mr Agnew was a pillar the Auctioneers’ and Estate Agents’ Institute, and was one of the original members of the Belfast branch. He was a prominent figure in the property market, and his sound judgment was widely recognised. He was entrusted with the negotiations of many important deals in various parts of Ulster.

“Mr Agnew’s other business interests included the chairmanship of Messrs Agnew & Graham, motor engineers and distributors, Oxford Street, Belfast. He was a member of the Down Royal Corporation of Horse Breeders, and of the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society. He took keen interest in agriculture, and in his younger days was actively identified with hunting.

“To Mrs Agnew and the members her family the sympathy of a wide circle of friends will be extended. Her two sons are Mr Charles F J Agnew and Mr T B Agnew, both well known in the business and social life of Ulster; her only daughter is Mrs Stanley Stringer, and there is a grandson, Master Arthur Stringer.”