Brexton Renaissance

Charles Emmett Cassell, Architect of the Brexton

8/30/1916, Baltimore Sun

Charles E. Cassell Dead
Confederate Veteran and Architect Expires After Short Illness.

     Charles E. Cassell, designer of the Christian Science Temple, the Chamber of Commerce Building, the Stafford Hotel and other big Baltimore buildings, and a leader in the architectural world here for more than 40 years, died early yesterday morning at his home, 1407 Park avenue. His death resulted from a complication of disease due to a general breakdown. He had been ill five weeks.
     Mr. Cassell was 78 years old. He was born in Portsmouth, Va., and fought during the entire four years of the Civil War in the Confederate Army, rising from private to captain. He was never wounded or captured. Afterward he served for two years as ensign in the Chilean Navy.
     His wife, who was Miss Sally W. Bowles, of Virginia, died about 20 years ago. Surviving him are three daughters, Mrs. Richard Chiles of Norfolk, Va.; Mrs. Randolph Berkeley, of Farmville, Va., and Miss Mary V. Cassell, of Baltimore, and one grandchild.
     The funeral will be held at 3 o'clock this afternoon from the home. The Rev. John A. Smith, pastor of the Corpus Christi Catholic Church will conduct the services. The body will be taken to Portsmouth, Va., for burial.


9/12/1916, Baltimore Sun

Chas E. Cassell's Will Filed
Directs That Estate Be Divided Among Three Daughters.

     The will of Charles E. Cassell, filed for probate in the Orphans' Court yesterday, directs that his debts be paid from money on deposit to his credit, and the balance be equally divided among his three daughters.
     His daughter, Miss Mary V. Cassell, is given all his furniture, with the pictures, books and other contents of their home at 1407 Park avenue. The residue of the estate is to be held in trust by the Colonial Trust Company until there is but one surviving of the testator's three daughters, Miss Mary V. Cassell, Mrs. William R. Berkeley, and Mrs. Richard Chiles, and his granddaughter, Mary E. Berkeley.
     Out of the income Miss Cassell is to receive $1,000 a year, and the balance is to be divided equally between Mrs. Berkeley and Mrs. Chiles. The survivors of the three daughters and his granddaughter are to get the principal. Miss Cassell is named executrix. The will is dated May 10, 1915. Mr. Cassell died August 29 last.