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Providence: Published by Henry R. Caufield
Biographies of Prominent Citizens.p. 400 - 402:
NICHOLSON, James E., superintendent of the Nicholson File Co., American Works, Central Falls, R. I., the fourth child of William and Elizabeth (Foristell) Nicholson, was born in 1842, at Whitinsville, Mass., where he attended the public schools. When fifteen years of age, he began to learn the machinist trade with his brother, William T. Nicholson, who was then a member of the firm of Nicholson & Brownell, Providence; but later William T. Nicholson bought out Mr. Brownell's interest and conducted the business alone under the name of W. T. Nicholson, machine builder. James E. proved an adept at his trade. Three years after his brother's firm was incorporated as the Nicholson File Co., Providence, he was appointed foreman of the cutting department, which position he held for eighteen years. He then became superintendent of the works and continued as such until Feb., 1896, when he was appointed manager of the Pawtucket branch, the American Works, (the Nicholson File Co. having bought out the new American File Co.), which has a capacity of 1200 to 1500 dozen files per day and employs from 200 to 300 hands. Mr. Nicholson was a very efficient and skillful assistant to his brother, William T. Nicholson, as an administrator in the great works which now bear his name.
In 1862 Mr. Nicholson enlisted for three months in Company B, 10th Rhode Island Regiment, which was stationed at Tenalleytown, Maryland, as part of the force to defend Washington, D. C. He is a member of the Central Baptist church, Providence. In politics he is a Republican. In 1871 he was married to Miss Phebe C. Burton of Providence, by which union there are two children: Alice B. and Bertha E.
illustrations on facing page (page 401): photos, Daniel Murphy, of Lynd & Murphy, Gents' furnishings, clothing, etc.; Frank A. Newell; William Newell, founder of the Newell Brass Foundry; Oscar A. Newell, treasurer, Rhode Island Hosiery Co. James E. Nicholson, superintendent, Nicholson File Co., 'American Works'; Edward O'Brien, master mechanic, Dunnell Manufacturing Co.
p. 402 - 403:NICKERSON, Ansel D., was born in Sandwich, Mass., Dec. 25, 1833, and died Nov. 5, 1896, in Pawtucket. He was a son of Elias and Lucy (Jerauld) Nickerson. His ancestors on the paternal side were of English origin, and French on the maternal side. William Nickerson came from England to this country at a very early date, and was the first of that name to land in America. He had four sons, from whom sprang the various branches of Nickersons throughout the United States. The father of Ansel D. was for several years sheriff of Providence county, R. I.; he died in 1894. The mother of Mr. Nickerson died in 1860.
When Mr. Nickerson was very young his parents left their home in Massachusetts and came to Rhode Island. At first they located in Pawtucket, but subsequently removed to Central Falls, where at the age of six years, he found employment in a cotton mill. Here he remained three years, when he obtained a situation in a printing office at Pawtucket which was conducted by Elder Ray Potter. In 1846 his father apprenticed him to Robert Sherman, who was then publisher of the Gazette and Chronicle. The contract called for three months' schooling each year at some public school. This comprised all the school advantages that he ever had that are worth mentioning. His teacher was John H. Willard, principal of the Church Hill grammar school, who in his day had no superior hereabouts as an instructor.
Mr. Nickerson's apprenticeship to Mr. Sherman did not expire until Dec. 25, 1854, when he was 21 years old. Ten years later he became a partner with Mr. Sherman, and in 1870 he and John S. Sibley bought the Chronicle establishment. Mr. Nickerson was a publisher of the paper for 14 years, when he disposed of his interest in the business, in 1878, to Charles A. Lee. For more than thirty years Mr. Nickerson was connected with the Chronicle establishment as apprentice, journeyman and proprietor.
After retiring from the Chronicle, Mr. Nickerson traveled extensively in Europe. Upon his return he became managing editor of the Providence Evening Press and Morning Star, and subsequently general manager of the extensive book and job printing establishment of the Providence Press Club.
When the war of the rebellion broke out, Mr. Nickerson enlisted in the 11th Rhode Island Regiment and remained in the field until its term of service expired. He joined the Grand Army of the Republic in 1867, and until his death was a member of Tower Post, No. 17. He was also a member of Jenks Lodge, A. F. and A. M., Central Falls; Holy Sepulchre Commandery, Pawtucket; Good Samaritan Lodge and Manchester Encampment of Odd Fellows, Pawtucket; and the Pawtucket Business Men's Association. He was the first president of the Pawtucket Young Men's Christian Association, and was president of the Free Public Library from the death of the Hon. W. F. Sayles, and was a trustee of that institution for more than a quarter of a century.
In politics Mr. Nickerson was a Republican. He held numerous public positions. He was a member of the school committees of the towns of Smithfield (now Lincoln) and North Providence, and later of the consolidated town and village of Pawtucket. He was also a member of the General Assembly from North Providence, and in 1873-4 he was a member of the town council of that town. When Pawtucket became a city he was chosen the first alderman from the third ward. He held the position three years, two of which he was president of the board, and for four months was acting mayor.
He was a special agent of the United States Department of Labor, having been appointed in 1892. Mr. Nickerson has always been deeply interested in Sunday school work. For nearly twenty years he was superintendent of the First Baptist Sunday school, which position he resigned in 1890. For several years he was superintendent of the Memorial Chapel Sunday school at Saylesville.
March 30, 1854, Mr. Nickerson was married to Miss Sarah J. Eldredge of Pawtucket, daughter of Richard and Sally (Bassett) Eldredge.
p. 403:NICKERSON, James Patterson, was born in Pawtucket, Oct. 8, 1845, and was the youngest child of a family of eleven children. He attended the public schools of Pawtucket until he was 17 years old. For seven years thereafter he conducted a farm. He then became a constable. In 1876 he was appointed on the police force and was promoted to be a sergeant in 1889. On the death of Chief of Police Oliver H. Perry, Aug. 2, 1896, Mr. Nickerson was appointed a captain, which position he now holds. In politics Capt. Nickerson is a Republican. He is an attendant of the Free Will Baptist church. He belongs to Charles E. Chickering Lodge, K. of P., is an associate member of Tower Post G. A. R., a member of the Pawtucket Veteran Firemen's Association, and of the Knights and Ladies of Honor. In 1867 he was married, at South Attleboro, to Mary E. Tingley, daughter of Lucian Tingley of Pawtucket, a well-known contractor and builder. Their children are: James Edgar, b. March 24, 1868, and now clerk in the First National Bank; Albert Henry, b. Dec. 25, 1870, now manager Pawtucket Sash & Blind Co.; Arthur Ames, died in infancy; Howard Ames, b. May 3, 1878; Susan Maud, b. March 24, 1885.
p. 403:O'BRIEN, Edward, third child of Nicholas and Bridget O'Brien, was born at Pawtucket in 1847. He attended the public schools, including the high school, until he was 17 years old, when he began to learn the carpenter trade with Andrew Slade, and also learned to be a millwright with Lewin & Kenyon. He then worked for Fales & Jenks two years and later took charge of the mechanical department, including the machine and wood working shops for the Dunnell Manufacturing Co., which position he now occupies. In politics he is a Democrat, and represented the second ward as alderman in 1895, 1896 and 1897. He is a member of the Catholic Knights of America; Knights of Pythias, No. 1; Red Men, No. 1; A. O. U. W.; Sarsfield Association; A. O. H., No. 8, of Pawtucket; the Petaconset Tribe, Red Men, of Central Falls. He attends St. Joseph's Catholic church. In 1876 he was married to Mary Quinn, the three children were the fruit of this union: Edward Nicholas, b. Sept., 1884; Thomas Aloysius, b. 1885, and John, b. 1887. His wife died in 1887.
p. 403:O'CONNOR, John F., fourth child of Jeremiah and Mary (Bowler) O'Connor, was born Oct. 15, 1849, at Woonsocket, R. I., and obtained his education in the public schools of Providence and Pawtucket. When 17 years old he learned the trade of a stone cutter with John French, and in 1875, in connection with his brother, established the monumental marble and granite works on Mineral Spring avenue, Pawtucket. Later he severed business connections with his brother and established and operated works at 7 Weatherhead, and located at 4 Waldo street, where the firm operates an extensive marble and granite plant and is doing a prosperous business. In politics Mr. O'Connor is an independent. He is an active member of the Young Men's Catholic Association and the Catholic Knights of America. Oct. 15, 1875, he was married to Elizabeth Maloney of Pawtucket and by this union there are eight children: Charles A., b. June 14, 1877; John, b. July 17, 1879; Thomas M. J., b. March 25, 1882; Mary, b. June 3, 1884; William, b. April 22, 1887; Joseph, b. June 13, 1889; Madaline, b. Sept. 10, 1891; Agnes Louisa, b. July 4, 1894.
p. 403 - 404:OLNEY, George Bailey, was born at Lime Rock, Smithfield, R. I., March 20, 1854. He received his education in the public schools of Smithfield and Providence, and started in life as a bookkeeper for the Dexter Lime Rock Co. He then engaged in a similar capacity with the A. & C. W. Holdbrook Belting Co., of Providence. In 1874, in company with his father, he started in the coal business in Providence under the name of Joseph Olney & Son, and still retains his interest in that firm. In 1886 he commenced the same business in Pawtucket under the name of G. B. Olney & Co., but shortly after J. Milton Payne and Byron C. Payne became partners and the name of the firm was changed to Olney & Payne Bros. The yards and coal pockets of the firm are located on the Conant Thread Co.'s wharf, while the business office is at 20 East avenue.
Mr. Olney is a Republican in politics. In religion he is a Unitarian, is a member of the Unitarian Club of Providence, and belongs to the Y. M. C. A., of Pawtucket. He is also an Odd Fellow and a Free Mason. April 10, 1879, he was married to Ella M. Payne, and they have two children, Joseph, b. Sept. 19, 1888, and Florence P., b. Feb. 21, 1881.
Joseph Olney, the father of George B., was born in Smithfield, Aug. 21, 1813, and is a direct descendant in the eighth generation from Thomas Olney, one of the original settlers of Providence. The original 'home lot' of Thomas Olney is still in possession of the family.
p. 404:O'MALLEY, Patrick, son of William and Margaret (Pendergast) O'Malley, was born in County Mayo, Ireland, March 14, 1843. He attended school in his native place. In his youth his parents removed to Lancashire, England, where he completed his education. While in Ireland he worked on a farm and cared for the sheep. When 15 years old he went to work in a cotton mill and later learned the trade of a mason. June, 1869, he came to America, and located in Providence, when he worked at his trade. Later he worked on the Conant thread mills, Pawtucket, and afterwards worked in Lonsdale. He also worked at his trade in New Bedford and Boston. In 1876 he opened a grocery store in his own building, 534 Dexter street, Central Falls. His business prospered, and, his real estate investments proving profitable, he retired from active business and devotes his time and attention to the management and care of his properties. Mr. O'Malley was chief marshal of St. Patrick's day parade in 1885. In politics he is a Democrat. June 8, 1876, he was married to Sabina Leonard of New Bedford. They have adopted two children.
p. 404 - 405:O'NEILL, Daniel, was born in County Waterford, Ireland, in 1832. He went to school until he was 17 years old, and came to America about 1850. He lived several years in Taunton, Mass., where he was employed in the highway department and was steadily advanced until he became assistant high commissioner, which position he held for five years. He came to Pawtucket in June, 1867, and purchased the undertaking business of Patrick Quinn, then located at the old St. Mary's church. His business prospered and in 1891 he disposed of it to his sons William H. and Daniel F. in order to devote his full time to the real estate business in which he is now engaged. He is a member of St. Mary's Catholic church. April 6, 1860, he was married to Ellen McKenna, and by this union there are three children: William H., Daniel F., and Joseph B. His first wife died, and in 1890 he was married to Catherine Campbell of Pawtucket. Mr. O'Neill's father owned and operated successfully a farm in Waterford, Ireland. For many generations his ancestors tilled the same farm, and his brother still resides on the old homestead.
illustration on page 405: photo, Daniel O'Neill, retired undertaker.
p. 405:O'NEILL, William Henry, the second son of Daniel and Ellen (McKenna) O'Neill, was born in Taunton, Mass., Aug. 23, 1863. His parents moved in 1867 to Pawtucket, where he attended the parochial and public schools and completed his education at Holy Cross College, Worcester, Mass. After leaving college he went into the employ of his father in the undertaking business. In 1891 he and his brother Daniel F. bought out their father's interest. In October, 1895, he purchased his brother's interest and has since continued the business alone as an undertaker and funeral director, at 135 Pine street. In politics Mr. O'Neill is a Democrat. He attends the St. Mary's Catholic church, is a member of the Knights of Columbus, the A. O. H., the A. O. F. and the I. O. R. M. Sept. 27, 1894, he was married to Susan J. McSoley.
p. 405:ORSWELL, Gardner, was born in Massachusetts but lived a great part of his life in Rhode Island. He was popularly known as Captain Orswell, having been captain of the First Light Infantry, of Providence, in the early quarter of the century. One of his sons, Warren M. Orswell, born at Graystone, R. I., in 1828, engaged in the manufacturing business and was successful. Early in life he married Eliza Ayer, who came of an old Vermont family.
p. 405:ORSWELL, Edmund W., the first child of Warren M. and Eliza (Ayer) Orswell, was born at Valley Falls, Dec. 11, 1849, and attended the public schools at Valley Falls and the high school at Lonsdale up to his 17th year. After this he became the bookkeeper of the then manufacturing firm of N. P. Hicks & Co., and remained with this firm and its successors in that capacity up to the year 1883. In 1884 the firm was incorporated as the E. Jenckes Manufacturing Co. and Mr. Orswell became its secretary. On Jan. 1, 1885, Edward G. Blodgett and Mr. Orswell formed a copartnership for the production of glazed yarn. For the succeeding two years the business was so successful that it was decided to seek a charter from the state, and accordingly it was, in 1887, incorporated as the 'Blodgett & Oswell Co.', with Mr. Blodgett as president and Mr. Orswell as treasurer.'
The Pawtucket Dyeing & Bleaching Co. was begun in 1889 with the same officers as the other company. Under the skillful management of its directors it has become a business of importance and value. Although the president, Mr. Blodgett, died in 1894, both branches of the business have since been continued with Mr. Orswell as manager. Mr. Orswell is a Republican in politics by conviction, but he has managed to keep out of active politics, feeling that such a mingling would entail sooner or later a sacrifice of his business. In business Mr. Orswell is energetic and has a mind on which he can safely draw for new plans or methods whenever the emergency demands it.
Being a mere stripling when the war broke out, Mr. Orswell has no war record. He is a prized member of the Pawtucket Business Men's Association and of the I. O. O. F. In 1871 he was married to Miss Mary A. Smith of Albion, R. I. They have two children living: Mary Elvira and William W.
p. 405 - 406:OTT, Joseph, third child of Jacob and Genevieve (Hodler) Ott, was born March 11, 1861, of Trochtelfingen, in the district of Hohenzollern, Germany. He attended school in his native town until he was 16 years old, when he entered the school of Art and Science at Reutlingen, Germany, from which he was graduated in 1878. He then entered a mill in Bavaria to obtain a practical knowledge of operating machinery and the details in the manufacturing of cloth. In 1880 he went to Augsburg as a designer, and later to Ash, in the silk district of Bohemia, where he remained until 1882 and acquired a knowledge of the manufacture of silk in all its details. He went next to Chemnitz, in Saxony, entering the employ of Goeritz Brothers, one of the largest silk manufacturers in that country.
To avoid military service he came to America in 1884 and connected himself with Coffin, Altemus & Co., of New York, as a designer. In 1885 he went with the Fare Alpaca Co., Holyoke, Mass., as a designer, and later with the Lyman Mill Co., of the same place, as superintendent, having charge of and successfully operating 1000 looms. A year later he came to Slater Cotton Co., Pawtucket, and remained in its employ until 1888 when, deciding to operate on his own account, he devoted a year to perfecting a loom for weaving silk, fine cotton and worsted, in which he succeeded, and began business with eight looms in the old Hicks building off East avenue. The enterprise prospered and later he associated with him as partners Daniel G. Littlefield and Darius Goff, and in May, 1889, the business was incorporated under the name of the Royal Weaving Co., and the plant was removed to the factory of the American Hair Cloth Co., corner Mill and Cross streets, Central Falls, and later to the new factory across the street from the hair cloth mill. This new mill is an unique structure and was specially constructed for delicate weaving, the light all being obtained from the roof. Mr. Ott was chosen agent and general manager of the company and to his practical knowledge and executive ability the success of the enterprise is largely due. In politics he is a Republican. He is a 32d degree Mason, a member of the Mystic Shrine, and belongs to the Pawtucket Business Men's Association.
Mr. Ott's ancestors were cloth manufacturers and his father, at Steinhilben, Germany, became famous for his 'military cloth', which is in use in the German army. His mother is the daughter of Hodler, a well-known cloth manufacturer at Achen in Westphalia.
p. 407:PATT, Irving F., assistant superintendent Pawtucket Gas Co., is the son of Jeremiah O. and Mary Ann (Gooding) Patt. He was born May 9, 1848, at Central Falls, where he attended the public schools until he was 16 years old. He then learned the trade of a carpenter. Later, with his brother, he was admitted into partnership with his father under the firm name of Jeremiah O. Patt & Sons, contractors and builders. This firm built many fine residences and mills in Central Falls. In the early seventies Mr. Patt's father retired from the firm, and later his brother also retired, and Irving carried on the business alone. In 1880 he went into the employ of the Pawtucket Gas Co. as assistant superintendent, with full charge of the works, which position he now holds.
In 1864 he joined the fire department of Central Falls. For many years he was hose director of the Pacific Engine Company until the organization of the permanent department in 1877, when he became first chief engineer and has since served in that capacity. The present efficiency of the Central Falls fire department is mainly due to his skill and ability. In politics he is a Republican. He attends the Central Falls Congregational church. He belongs to the Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, A. O. U. W., the Ancient Essenic Order, Massachusetts State Firemen's Association, Inter-National Association of Fire Chiefs of the United States and Canada, which he has served as vice president, representing the state of Rhode Island. He was married to Rose Anna Templeton, of Pawtucket, by which union there are four children: Everett Irving, Herbert Francis, Clifton Templeton, Lester Davenport.
p. 407:PAYNE, Charles, was born in Nun Eaton, Warwickshire, England, in 1819, came to America when a young man and settled at Pawtucket. In company with Jude Taylor he established, in 1849, the firm of Payne & Taylor, engravers for calico printers. The firm carried on this business for many years, until with the coming into use of the pantograph engraving machines, the engraving was done of the premises of each printworks. Payne & Taylor, however, branched out in their own factory, on East avenue, into the manufacture of hair cloth about 1863, and the firm continued to carry on this industry here until 1893, with the business was consolidated with the Pawtucket Hair Cloth Co., under the name of the American Hair Cloth Co. Charles Payne died in 1869. He had a family of ten children, all but one of whom are now living and are active and prominent in the community: George W., b. June 30, 1843; Charles B., b. March, 1845; James R., b. 1847; Amy T., b. 1849, married Henry A. Smith, carpenter and contractor; William E., b. 1857, now a marketman; Annie N., b. 1853, married Frank Hodge, but is now a widow; Byron C., b. 1855, now of the firm Olney & Payne Bros.; Ella M., b. 1857, married George Olney of the firm of Olney & Payne Bros.; John Milton, b. 1857, and now also of the firm of Olney & Payne Bros.; and Rachel K., b. 1863, who died in infancy. Charles B. and James R. succeeded to their father's interest in the firm of Payne & Taylor, but since the formation of the American Hair Cloth Co., they have retired from active business.
p. 407 - 408:PAYNE, George Witheridge, the oldest son of Charles Payne, attended the public schools of Pawtucket until he was 13 years old. He then went to work in the engraving shop of Payne & Taylor, where he remained for about two years. In 1861 he began a three years' apprenticeship at house carpentering with Andrew R. Slade. Here he continued to work until 1865, when he formed a partnership under the name of Holmes & Payne and began the manufacture of cotton machinery. This firm continued for one year, when Mr. Holmes sold out and the concern then became Payne & Mathewson, and was conducted under that title for 14 years, until the death of Thomas A. Mathewson, when it became Geo. W. Payne & Co., George M. Fanning purchasing the interest of the late partner. The shop, in 1865, was on the bank of the river on the west side between the upper and lower dams, where the mills of the Littlefield Manufacturing Co. now stand, and was a room 45 by 90 feet. After two years a larger shop was secured in a building which stood on a portion of the ground now occupied by the electric power station, and here the industry was carried on for 14 years. For two years thereafter rooms in the Payne & Taylor factory on East avenue were occupied, and in February, 1883, the firm removed to the present quarters, 106 Broad street.
The shops now occupy a floor space of 150 by 50 feet and an ell 50 by 30 feet, and about 50 men are employed. Cotton and woolen machinery are manufactured, and the specialties are spoolers and hosiery winders and quillers.
Mr. Payne was married to Julia McQuestin in 1865. She died March, 1876. In 1877 he was married to Sarah Frank Balkcom. By the first marriage there were four children: Lillian K., b. July 7, lived to be six years old; Charles, b. Aug. 1868; Carrie, b. April, 1870; James Manton, b. 1872. By the second marriage, there were three children: Jude T., b. 1878; Clinton F., b. 1882; Alice, b. 1888.
p. 408:PAYNE, J. Milton, was born in Pawtucket, Sept. 22, 1859, and is the son of Charles and Keziah (Bindley) Payne. He received his education in the Church Hill grammar school, Pawtucket; at Mowry & Goff's English and Classical school, Classical Department, Providence, class of 1878; and at Brown University, from which he was graduated in 1882. March 1, 1884, in company with his brother Bryon C. Payne and George B. Olney, he organized the firm of Olney & Payne Bros., which has become one of the largest concerns dealing in coal, brick, lime and cement in Pawtucket. The house has a large coal pocket and dock on the wharf belonging to the Conant Thread Co. on the west side of the river.
Mr. Payne is a prominent Republican. He is vice-president and on the executive committee of the Garfield Club, and has been a delegate to many political conventions. He is a director of the Pacific National Bank and of the Pawtucket Mutual Fire Insurance Co., is a member of the Pawtucket Business Men's Association, and of the To Kalon Club. In religion he is a Episcopalian. For years he has taken a very active part in secret and fraternal societies. He joined Good Samaritan Lodge, No. 8, I. O. O. F., October, 1883, and was Grand Master of Rhode Island, I. O. O. F. in 1893. He is a member of Union Lodge, No. 10, A. F. and A. M., Pawtucket Royal Arch Chapter, Pawtucket Council Royal and Select Masters, Holy Sepulchre Commandery, Knights Templars, Palestine Temple A. A. O. N. M. S. He was married June 24, 1883, to Eva L. Spink, and they have one son.
p. 408 - 409:PECK, George Calvin, was born Nov. 19, 1856, at Medway, Mass., and is the second child of Jerome B. and Mary Ann (Adams) Peck. He attended the public schools at Hyde Park until he was 14 years old, when he began to learn the art of photography, but poor health compelled him to abandon that profession. He then went to work in a jewelry store and learned the trade of a watch repairer, which he followed for six years. In 1878 he came to Pawtucket and with a capital of $100 opened a '5 and 10 cents store' on North Main street. The business prospered, and in 1892 he opened a department store in the Sheldon block on North Union street. In 1894 he admitted Arthur O. Bourne to partnership, under the style of George C. Peck & Co.
Mr. Peck is a member of the Park Place Congregational church and is a teacher in the Sabbath school. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and the Pawtucket Business Men's Association. In politics he is a Republican. June, 1882, he was married to Anges M., daughter of Enoch Trafton, of Pawtucket.
illustration on page 408: photo, George C. Peck, of George C. Peck & Co.
p. 409:PEIRCE, Clarence Eugene, was born in Providence, Nov. 30, 1863, and is the youngest child of Edwin James and Nancy Carpenter (Wheeler) Peirce. The name Peirce is borne by a number of families in America, is spelled in a variety of ways, and is supposed to be derived from the old English family of Percy. Several immigrants of the name are known to have settled in America, and genealogies have been published of the descendants of Michael Pierce of Scituate, Mass.; Thomas Pierce of Charlestown, Mass.; Richard Pearce of Portsmouth, R. I.; Abraham Pierce of Freetown, Mass., and Robert Pierce of Dorchester, Mass. The descendants of all these immigrants cannot now be clearly traced and their relationship to each other is only partially known.
The ancestors of Clarence E. were Thomas and Elizabeth Peirce who came to America in 1633-4 and settled at Charlestown, Mass., in 1635. Jabez Peirce, his great-grandfather, was a cordwainer (shoemaker), at Plainfield, Conn., but afterward came to Providence and was a merchant here. In the Providence Gazette and Country Journal of June 12, 1767, he had the following unique advertisement:
'Jabez Peirce, west of the Great Bridge, opposite Dr. Samuel Carew's in Providence, begs leave to inform the public that he has lately supplied his shop with a neat assortment of goods just imported from London, via Boston, and as his goods came to hand much cheaper than any before, he makes no doubt if purchasers will give themselves the trouble to call at his shop, they will be satisfied without traveling through the sand hill to look further.'
Jabez Peirce spent the evening of his life at Dighton, Mass., where he died June 21, 1782. He was a private in the company of Captain Henry Tews, Colonel John Hathaway's regiment, in 1780, during the revolutionary war. His homestead in Providence was on the north side of Weybosset street, just above Mathewson street.
The following is the obituary of the wife of Jabez Peirce: 'Died at Dighton on the 3d inst., Mrs. Mary Peirce, relict of the late Mr. Jabez Peirce, formerly of this town, in the 73d year of her age; after a long life of complicated affliction, which she bore with Christian fortitude.' -- Rhode Island American, Oct. 8, 1813.
The grandfather of Clarence E. was Thomas Peirce, a farmer in Dighton and Seekonk, and his father, who was born in Rehoboth, is a carpenter and pattern-maker. Clarence E. attended the public schools of Providence, and the Misses Hill's private school, until he was 16 years old. April 14, 1879, he went to work in the office of the American Screw Co., where he continued until the latter part of Oct. 1889, when he became private secretary to Hezekiah Conant, which position he still holds.
In politics Mr. Peirce is a Republican. He attends St. Stephen's Episcopal church, Providence. In 1893 he was married in Springfield, Mass., to Belle Simonds, daughter of Kibbe Vashni Chapin, of Somers, Conn., and they have one child, Kibbe Chapin Peirce. Mr. Peirce is very much interested in local historical and genealogical studies, and has been at work for years compiling a genealogy of the Wheeler family.
p. 409 - 410:PERRIN, Edwin A. -- In 1635 John Perrin, aged 21, came from London, England, to Braintree, Mass., on board the ship 'Safety', John Grant, master. He came with Rev. Samuel Newman to Rehoboth in 1644, received a grant of land and became one of the founders of the town. He is buried in the old graveyard at what was originally the 'Ring of the Town', now in East Providence. The line of descent to Edwin A. is as follows: John, the founder of the family, b. in England about 1614, d. in Rehoboth, Sept. 13, 1674; John, his son; Daniel, b. March 18, 1682, d. March 20, 1734; Daniel, b. Feb. 10, 1711, d. May 24, 1740; David, b. Oct. 20, 1739, d. Feb. 15, 1825; Thomas, b. March 1, 1768, d. Nov. 8, 1806; Amasa, b. March 5, 1805, d. May 7, 1860.
For years this branch of the Perrin family lived in and around Rehoboth. The number of times the name is mentioned in the local history shows what positions they held in the administration of the town government. March 1, 1768, Thomas Perrin was born at Rehoboth, Mass. He was a farmer and his farm was made up of land that had descended to him from the original grantee. He married Polly Godfrey and one of their children was Amasa Perrin. Amasa, unlike all his ancestors, turned his back upon the then comfortable and satisfactory life of the farm and sought his fortune in a different line of work. He became a skilled mechanic. In 1834, at 29 years of age, he was joined in matrimony to Eliza Wilmarth, who still survives him, making her home with her son Edwin A., who was born in Pawtucket, Mass., Jan. 7, 1839. He was the oldest child and received his education in the public schools of his native town and afterwards attended Lyon & Frieze's preparatory school at Providence. Mr. Perrin became prominently associated with the public life of Pawtucket at an early age, being appointed assistant postmaster in 1857, which position he held until 1865, at which time he was made postmaster and served in that capacity for 22 years. For the past ten years he has been secretary of the Pawtucket Gas Co., of which he is a director. He is also a director of the Pacific National Bank, the Pawtucket Safe Deposit Co., the American Yarn Manufacturing Co., as well as a trustee of the Pawtucket Institute for Savings.
In politics Mr. Perrin is a Republican and has often been honored with public office by his fellow citizens. He represented Pawtucket in the state legislature during the three terms of 1888-1889, 1894-1895, and 1895-1896. He was alderman from the first ward during the years 1894-5. He was appointed one of the members of the board of state valuation by the General Assembly in 1888. For three years he served as one of the trustees of the Pawtucket Free Library. Mr. Perrin possesses qualities that are not often found together, rare business capacity coupled with practical sagacity, as is shown by the success he has attained.
When the Pawtucket Business Men's Association was formed Mr. Perrin was one of its charter members. He belongs to the Masonic Order and the Veteran Firemen's Association, and is also an associate member of Tower Post, G. A. R.
Mr. Perrin in early days served on the staff of Brigadier General William R. Walker in the Brigade Rhode Island Militia, with rank of captain. In 1864 he was married to Eliza T. Greene of Pawtucket. They have one child, a daughter, Annie T. Mr. Perrin and his family attend the Pawtucket Congregational church.
p. 410:PERRY, James A., son of James H. and Elizabeth (Goff) Perry, was born in Rehoboth, Mass., in 1854. He attended the public schools of his native town until he was eighteen years old, and afterward took a course in the Bryant & Stratton Business College, Providence. He was then bookkeeper for the grocery house of Perry & Hardy of Providence for three years. In 1879 he entered the employ of D. Goff & Sons, Pawtucket, where he has since remained, and at present holds the position of assistant manager, with full charge of office work. In politics he is a Republican. He was married to Annie F. Hay of Pawtucket, in 1889. Mr. Perry is a descendant of Anthony Perry, who came from England about 1643 and settled in Rehoboth. Both his father and his grandfather were born in Rehoboth. His father died in 1877.
p. 410 - 412:PERRY, Fred Gorton, was born in Manchester, N. H., Jan. 31, 1863, and is the son of William and Nancy (Shrieve) Perry. He attended the schools of his native city and was graduated from the high school in the class of 1880. Desiring to learn a profession he entered the office of George L. Stevens, the mill architect and engineer of the Amoskeag Co., where he obtained a thorough and practical knowledge of draughting and engineering. He remained in that office until 1884, when he went to Hampton and engaged in agriculture with his father until 1887, when his father died. In 1888 he came to Pawtucket. March 27, 1889, he accepted a position as clerk in the highway department of this city and continued in that position until he was appointed assistant commissioner of public works in March, 1894, in which position he still remains. In political matters Mr. Perry is a Republican. He has taken an active interest in fraternal societies, and is a member of the Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, Improved Order of Red Men, and also belongs to the Pawtucket Athletic Association and the Pawtucket Boat Club. ec. 25, 1888, he was united in marriage to Jenny L. Perry, a daughter of Oliver H. Perry of Pawtucket, by which union there is one child, Marie Louise, b. Oct. 10, 1890.
illustrations on facing page (page 411): photos, Francis J. Phillips, Druggist; Henry S. Phillips, Undertaker; Alonzo E. Pierce, Paymaster, Fales & Jenks Machine Co.; Henry Poole, Shoe Maker and Dealer; James R. Payne, of Payne & Taylor; James A. Perry, Assistant Manager, D. Goff & Sons.
p. 412 - 413:PERRY, Oliver Hazard, was a member of a Rhode Island family which has been distinguished both in the state and nation. The founder of the family, who was an influential member of the Society of Friends, came from Devonshire, England, in 1650, and settled in Sandwich, Mass. Samuel, a son of this first comer, emigrated to Rhode Island and founded the settlement afterwards known as Perryville in South Kingstown. He was the progenitor of the Rhode Island Perrys, who have always been prominent citizens in the south part of the state. Among the distinguished members of the family were Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry, the hero of Lake Erie in the war of 1812, and Commodore Matthew C. Perry who negotiated the treaty with Japan. Statues to both these distinguished men stand in the public grounds of the city of Newport.
Oliver Hazard Perry of Pawtucket is named after Commodore O. H. Perry, and his line of descent is through Samuel, the first Rhode Island settler, and then through James, James, Jr., John, and George C. He was born in Hope village, town of Scituate, R. I., June 10, 1834, and was the youngest of eleven children of George C. and Thankful Thompson (Carpenter) Perry, who were both natives of South Kingstown. He attended the public schools of Natick, R. I., and Joseph Brown's private school in Seekonk, Mass., until he was fifteen years old. Under the care of his next older brother, William, he then went to work in Governor Philip Allen's factory at which is now Enfield, and afterwards worked in Henry Jerauld's mill, Pawtucket, in the weave room of which his brother John was overseer. His brother William had meanwhile become superintendent of Zachariah Allen's mills at Georgiaville, and Oliver went to work there. Returning to Pawtucket in 1855 he became overseer of the weave room in the mill of the Pawtucket Manufacturing Company, and remained there until the panic of 1857, when the mill, like a great many others throughout the state, was shut down. In June, 1858, he went to work for the Dunnell Manufacturing Co. as overseer and inspector of the cloth department, and filled this position until late in 1882, with the exception of the time he spent in the army during the civil war.
Nov. 1, 1882, Mr. Perry was elected chief of police of Pawtucket and held the office until May, 1884. He was again appointed Jan. 4, 1886, on the inauguration of the first city government, and was chief of police until his death, Aug. 2, 1896.
Mr. Perry went out for three months with Company E, 1st Rhode Island Volunteers, at the beginning of the war of the rebellion and served as corporal and sergeant. He then re-enlisted for another three months in the 9th Rhode Island Volunteers, under Col. J. Talbot Pitman, and was orderly sergeant in Company A., Captain Robert McCloy. At the end of the term he was mustered out at Providence, then recruited a company for the 12th Rhode Island Regiment, Col. George H. Brown, and went into service with it as captain of the company. This was a nine months' regiment. During this period he was with General Burnside in the army of the Potomac, and in the old 9th army corps in the Department of the Ohio during the Tennessee campaign, and was in garrison at Cincinnati at the time of the Morgan raid, took part in the battle of Bull Run, and also in the battle of Fredericksburg.
In local military circles Mr. Perry was active for many years. He joined the Pawtucket Light Guard in August, 1858. At the first call of President Lincoln for 75,00 volunteers this organization responded and enlisted as Company E, 1st R. I. Detached Volunteers. The regiment was divided into two detachments, and the first, including Company E, went to the front under General Burnside. They took transport steamer at New York, went up Chesapeake bay, landing at Annapolis, Md., and went around Baltimore. In this organization Mr. Perry went out as corporal and returned as sergeant. After their return to Pawtucket they reorganized under the same name and continued as a detached company of the Rhode Island militia until the change in the state laws relating to a better organization of the militia. In this latter company Captain Perry held the rank of lieutenant-colonel.
Mr. Perry was a member of Union Lodge, No. 10, A. F. and A. M., from 1864; he belonged to the Pawtucket Royal Arch Chapter; to Ossamequin Tribe, No. 4, Improved Order of Red Men; to Hope Lodge, No. 186, Knights of Honor; to the Veteran Firemen's Association; and to Tower Post, G. A. R. Sept., 1855, he was married at Apponaug, to Mary Catherine Arnold, daughter of Joseph Arnold of Pawtucket, who was one of the firm of Rand & Arnold. Mrs. Perry died Sept., 1889. The children of this union were: Eva Arnold, b. June 14, 1857, who married George W. Tattersall, and d. 1877; Byron Tilton, b. 1860, now a machine printer at the Dunnell printworks; Lillian Belle, b. March 2, 1863, married Samuel Nelson Hammond, color mixer at the Dunnell printworks; Jennie Louise, b. Sept. 5, 1864, married Fred G. Perry, assistant commissioner of public works; Claude Warren, b. Jan. 24, 1866, who is in the photograph business on East avenue.
illustration on page 412: photo, Oliver Hazard Perry, Chief of Police of Pawtucket, 1882-84, 1886-96.
p. 413 - 414:PERVEAR, Charles E., was born in Pawtucket, Mass., Dec. 19, 1850, and is the youngest child of Jacob S. and Abby Dean (Hopkins) Pervear. He attended the public schools of his native town, finished the high school course and completed his education in Scholfield's Commercial College, Providence, July 28, 1868. He entered the office of Fairbrother & Fales, leather manufacturers, as bookkeeper, Aug. 10, 1868, and there remained until the successor of the concern, George S. Fales, went out of business in 1876. Then for a few months he was with Frank R. Almy in the same place and business, and on March 25, 1878, entered the office of the Pawtucket Hair Cloth Co., and has been connected with this corporation and with the American Hair Cloth Co., its successor in the manufacturing business, ever since. July 24, 1891, he was elected agent of the Pawtucket Hair Cloth Co., which position he now holds in the new company. Aug. 9, 1889, he was elected treasurer of the Royal Weaving Co.; Nov. 8, 1889, he became president of the To Kalon Club, holding that office for several years; and Sept. 17, 1891, he was elected trustee of the Providence County Savings Bank. All these positions, except the presidency of the To Kalon Club, he now holds. He is also an officer in several other corporations, and a member of a number of social organizations. In politics he is a Republican. Oct. 19, 1876, he was married to Ellen Louisa Gilbert of Worcester, Mass., by which union there are three children: Ethel Stevens, b. Jan. 31, 1879; Charles Emmons, b. Feb. 26, 1880; and Gilbert Goddard, b. Feb. 7, 1886.
Mr. Pervear is a descendant on his mother's side of Thomas Hopkins, who was born in England, April 7, 1616, was one of the original owners of the 'Home Lotts' of the early settlers of Providence Plantations, and the ancestor of the Hopkins family of Rhode Island. Among the distinguished members of this family were Stephen Hopkins, governor of the colony of Rhode Island and one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, and Commodore Esek Hopkins, the first admiral of the Continental navy. On his father's side Mr. Pervear is of French Huguenot ancestry.
p. 414 - 415:PETTIS, George Henry, city sealer of weights and measures, Providence, son of Henry Nelson and Olive Graves (Parker) Pettis, was born in Pawtucket, March 17, 1834. His family migrated to Cohoes, N. Y., where he attended the public schools. He then learned the trade of a printer, which he followed until 1854, when he went to California and engaged in mining. In 1858 he returned to work at his trade in San Francisco. In August, 1861, he joined Company B, 1st California Infantry, as second lieutenant, and was promoted to be first lieutenant, Co. K, in January, 1862. He served through the war, was mustered out in February, 1865, and immediately enlisted again as 1st lieutenant, Co. F, 1st New Mexico Infantry, was promoted to be adjutant in June, 1865, and was mustered out Sept., 1866. Having served continuously five years and fifteen days he was appointed captain by brevet in U. S.Volunteers by President Johnson, for 'distinguished gallantry' in action with the Comanche and Kiowa Indians, at the Adobe Walls, Texas, Nov. 25, 1864, while under the command of Colonel Kit Carson.
In 1868 Mr. Pettis came from New Mexico to Providence. He represented the ninth ward in the city council from June, 1872, to January, 1876, and was elected a representative to the General Assembly, 1876-1877. From 1878 to 1885 he was boarding officer of the port of Providence, and was marine editor of the Providence Journal from 1885 to 1887. He became a member of the G. A. R., by joining Kit Carson Post, No. 1, New Mexico, in 1868, and joined Slocum Post, No. 10, by transfer in 1873, in which post he held the offices of adjutant and chaplain. He was a charter member of Arnold Post, No. 4, in which he held the position of officers of the day and senior vice commander. He was chief mustering officer, department of Rhode Island, in 1877-9, assistant mustering officer in 1890, and was a member of the National Council of Administration and a delegate to the twentieth national encampment held in San Francisco in 1886. He became a member of the military order of the Loyal Legion of the United States, Commandery of California, Nov. 10, 1886; is corresponding secretary of the Rhode Island Soldiers and Sailors Historical Society; a member of the Society of California Volunteers; also of the Society of California Pioneers of New England; was president, in 1891-2, of the California Volunteers Veteran Association and is now its secretary and treasurer; and is a member of the Providence Press Club. He is an honorary member of the Second Rhode Island Veteran Association; belongs to the Fifth Rhode Island Association; The Rhode Island Historical Society; and the Providence Veteran Firemen's Association. Mr. Pettis was married Sept., 1859, and has three children living: George Henry, Jr.; Annie Olive; and Charles Lucius.
illustration on page 414: photo, George H. Pettis, City Sealer of Weights and Measures, Providence.
p. 415:PHILLIPS, Francis J., was born in Providence, R. I., Jan. 26, 1844; attended the public schools of his native city and graduated from the high school. In 1859 he attended the department of chemistry at Brown University and generally devoted himself to the studies which would best fit him for the pharmacy of those times. His first situation in the drug business was with the old established house of Earl P. Mason & Co., of Providence. From there he went to Boston and entered the establishment of Weeks & Potter and also held a position as clerk in the store of Frank Simmons, retail druggist, at the corner of Dover and Washington streets. He remained in Boston until he was obliged to abandon his situation on account of a severe injury sustained at Weeks & Potter's. For a time he left the drug business and became freight clerk with the Portland and Boston Steamboat Co., and was clerk of the wharf in Boston at the time Portland was burned. In 1866 he entered the employ of Perry Davis & Son of Providence, and became traveling salesman for their 'Pain-Killer'. In 1868 he established a retail drugstore in Providence, and in 1872 became junior partner in the firm of George L. Claflin & Co., wholesale druggists of Providence. The following year he sold out his interest in that firm but continued in the retail store, which he also retained during that time.
In 1874 he became one of the charter members and organizers of the Rhode Island Pharmaceutical Association, and has been its president, vice-president and secretary as well as a member of many important committees. He has invented a can which is much used in handling castor oil and other heavy liquids, known as the improved dispenser and measurer of liquids. In 1877 he purchased 'Apothecaries Hall' in Pawtucket, which he conducted in connection with his Providence store until Jan. 1, 1892, when he disposed of his Providence interests and confined himself to his Pawtucket establishment, at 183 Main street, a location which has long been identified with the drug business, as in 1830 it was occupied by William Bailey, and successively by Sam Greene, S. & C. Clapp, Lyman Clapp, Bela P. Clapp, Henry M. Read, Byron R. Johnson and John Coe. It was in this store that the first experiments were made by Bela P. Clapp for the production of water of ammonia. This was also the first store in Pawtucket to draw soda water in the days of Same Greene. In those days the streets were really country roads and trees grew in front of the store, and Sam Greene's unique advertisement of soda and cigars is even now remembered by some: 'Smoke a short six or a long nine and drink our soda under the linden trees.'
Dec. 13, 1870, Mr. Phillips was married to Caroline W. Stanhope, by which union he has one son, Frederick Stanhope Phillips, b. March 9, 1872. Mr. Phillips is descended from an old New England family. His father, William Phillips, was a Baptist clergyman, and his mother a descendant of the Edmands family of Charlestown, Mass.
p. 415 - 416:PHILLIPS, Frederick E., was born in Central Falls, R. I., Jan. 18, 1862. He attended the public schools of his native place until his 16th year, when he learned the trade of a chaser on jewelry. Later he was a storekeeper and subsequently was engaged as a highway surveyor. Under his direction the streets within districts eight and nine, Central Falls, were laid out. He also supervised the masonry and ledge work of Jenks park. Mr. Phillips is a Democrat and has served as moderator of both school and voting districts. In 1894 he was appointed postmaster of Central Falls, which position he still holds. He is a member of Jenks Lodge, No. 24, A. F. and A. M.; Superior Lodge, No. 35, I. O. O. F.; Washington Lodge, No. 4, K. of P.; Roger Williams Lodge, No. 17, A. O. U. W.; Central Falls Veteran Firemen's Association; Queen Esther Chapter, No. 2, Order Eastern Star, and Victoria Lodge, No. 26, Daughters of Rebecca. He was married May 13, 1886, to Mary Frances Shove.
p. 416:PHILLIPS, Henry S., son of J. Henry and Sarah R. Phillips was born Sept. 27, 1858, at Dighton, Mass. In 1859 his parents located in Pawtucket. He obtained his education in the public schools of North Providence and the Pawtucket high school. When 16 years old he went to work in a sash and blind shop and later worked in a cardboard factory. In 1880 he was clerk in the freight department of the Providence and Worcester railroad, at Pawtucket, and in 1881 entered the employ of D. A. Clark, learned the undertaking business and attended a course of lectures on embalming at Boston. In March, 1893, he started in business on his own account as furnishing funeral director and embalmer at 121 Broad street, his present location. His business has prospered and his is one of the best equipped establishments in Pawtucket.
Mr. Phillips has been a member of the First Baptist church since 1881 and a member of the church choir since 1879. He has been auditor of the church society several years. He belongs to Charles E. Chickering Lodge, No. 20, Knights of Pythias, and is chairman of the board of trustees. June, 1883, he was married to Bertha L., daughter of D. A. Clark, who died within a year of her marriage. In Oct., 1885, he was married to Hattie B. Gatchell. Mr. Phillips' father was a member of Cushman, Phillips & Co., spool manufacturers, which firm was succeeded by Atwood, Crawford & Co.
p. 416:PHINNEY, Squire Zenas, son of Zenas and Eleanor (Hall) Phinney, was born Feb. 20, 1831, in Cumberland, R. I. His parents moved when he was a young child to Pawtucket, where he attended the private school of Mr. Hayward. From the age of six until he was 15 he worked in the old Slater mill, and then began to learn the trade of a mason, which he followed a few years, when he learned the trade of cigar making, working thereat in Boston, Mass., and Providence, R. I. He abandoned the cigar business for a time and worked for Woodbury & Curtis, jewelers, Providence. In 1858 he began the manufacture of cigars in Pawtucket and later opened a branch factory and store in Providence, remaining there until 1874, when the manufacturing was all removed to Pawtucket. He first began to manufacture in the Miller block, but finally established his plant corner of Church and Pine streets, where his residence and the factory are now located. He still has a branch store at No. 127 Weybosset street, Providence. Some years since Mr. Phinney retired from active business and the factory and stores are operated by his sons.
In politics Mr. Phinney is an independent. Sept. 16, 1853, he was married to Sarah N. Gray of Providence, by which union there are five children: William H., b. Feb. 15, 1855; George, b. Nov. 14, 1857; Sarah M., b. Dec. 5, 1860; Charles F., b. Aug. 16, 1868; Squire Z, Jr., b. Nov. 24, 1871. Mr. Phinney's parents were born in Harwick, Mass.; his father Jan. 10, 1794, and his mother July 28, 1797; and they came from the best stock of the English immigrants who settled at Cape Cod.
p. 416 - 417:PIERCE, Alonzo Earle, was born in Calais, Washington County, Vermont, July 12, 1838, and is the second child of Stephen and Polly (Ide) Pierce. He is descended from Captain Michael Pierce who came to America about 1645, settled in Scituate, Mass., and was the commander of the company of Englishmen and friendly Indians who were ambushed by the Indians, March 26, 1676, on the east bank of the Blackstone river between Central Falls and Valley Falls. Captain Pierce and nearly all his men were slain and this disastrous engagement is known historically as 'Pierce's fight'.
Alonzo E. attended the common schools of his native town, the Morrisville, Vt., Academy, the Newbury Seminary, and prepared for college in the New Union school, Montpelier, Vt. Instead however of taking a collegiate course he went into the army at the age of 23. While his schooling did not terminate until that time he had charge of the home farm from the age of 17, when his father died. June 16, 1861, he enlisted in the 3d regiment, Vermont infantry, in which he served until Dec. 14, 1863. His regiment was a part of the 2d brigade, 2d division 6th army corps, under General Franklin, and was known as the Vermont brigade. He participated in all the battles in which the army of the Potomac was engaged during his term of service, including Antietam, Fredericksburg and Gettysburg. He enlisted as a private, but was commissioned second lieutenant and promoted to the rank of captain. While in front of Lee's army at the battle of Gettysburg his company was ordered to take a position on the left of the Rounn [sic] Top Mountain in response to an order to send a trusty company from the Vermont brigade. This was on the evening of July 4, 1863, and the object was to keep a watch on Gen. Lee's movements, who was supposed to have a design of flanking the Union forces. Capt. Pierce's company was about half a mile beyond the lines and his men were spread out over a distance of nearly half a mile, and were actually serving as vedettes.
Captain Pierce came to Pawtucket in the spring of 1865, and went to work in November of the same year for Jesse S. Thornton & Co., coal dealers, in their office as bookkeeper, and remained with them and their successors until July, 1882, when he took a position with the Fales & Jenks Machine Co., as bookkeeper, and in 1890 became chief clerk and paymaster. These positions he still holds. In politics Captain Pierce is a Republican. For two years he served in the Pawtucket town council, and in the city council represented the fourth ward from 1886 to 1888 and the third ward from 1891 to 1894. From 1892 to 1894 he was president of the council. He is also a trustee of the public library and a member of the school committee. He attends the Park Place Congregational church, belongs to Tower Post, No. 17, G. A. R., is a member of Pawtucket Council, American Legion of Honor, and of Pawtucket Lodge, No. 130, New England Order of Protection. Sept. 20, 1865, he was married to Nellie Amanda White, daughter of Jacob and Clarissa White, who died Jan. 25, 1893; by this union there are three children: Alton Lyman, b. Sept. 8, 1867, now bookkeeper for Fales & Jenks Machine Co., Howard Earle, b. Nov. 26, 1870, now clerk in the office of the commissioner of public works; Irene Alice, b. Dec. 18, 1875, a teacher in the public schools. Capt. Pierce was married to Celia Ellen Bradford, Nov. 26, 1896.
p. 417:PIERCE, Henry A., son of Sanford R. and Betsey (Fairbrother) Pierce was born March 12, 1846, in Pawtucket. He was educated in the common and high schools of Pawtucket, supplemented by a course in a commercial college at Providence. During the war of the rebellion he served as a private in the 9th Rhode Island Infantry Volunteers, was commissary sergeant of the Pawtucket Light Guard, and served on staff duty in the Rhode Island militia, as captain, major, and as colonel upon the staff of the late Governor Littlefield. He was town auditor of Pawtucket, was also one of the assessors, and served as clerk of the board. For seven years he was treasurer of St. Paul's church. In Masonry he has been master of Union Lodge and commander of Holy Sepulchre Commandery. From 1884 to 1894 he was assistant financial secretary of the United States Senate, Washington, D. C. He is now treasurer and general manager of the Pawtucket Electric Co.
p. 417 - 418:PIERCE, Sanford R., youngest son of George Augustus and Lucretia (Carpenter) Pierce, was born in the town of Cumberland, R. I., Oct. 16, 1819, and died May 31, 1893. He was descended from Richard Pierce of York, England, who was one of the first settlers of Portsmouth, R. I. Sanford came to Pawtucket when 15 years old, worked for a time in the store of David LeFavour, and then learned to be a tailor with Gideon L. Spencer. Soon after completing his apprenticeship he engaged in business in Providence, and in 1845, in company with his brother Nathaniel, started a tailoring business in Pawtucket, in the Adams building, corner of Main street and East avenue. In February, 1850, the business was removed to the Amos M. Read building, then just completed, and in this store Mr. Pierce carried on his industry for more than 42 years.
He became a member of St. Paul's Episcopal church in 1830, was elected one of the vestry in 1851, junior warden in 1854, and was senior warden from 1868 to 1872. Until his death he continued in the office of vestryman and was for many years the oldest in service on the board. May 3, 1847, he was elected a director of the Sunday school and held that position for many years. From 1857 to 1874 he was superintendent of the Sunday school. Dec. 29, 1891, he had an attack of extreme exhaustion, somewhat like a paralytic stroke, from which he never fully recovered.
March 21, 1842, he was married to Betsey, only daughter of Jarvis and Betsey (Field) Fairbrother, and they had five children, George S., Henry A., Clara R. (Burlingame); Lizzie Field, d. May 22, 1863, and Anna Laura, d. May 12, 1864.
p. 418:POHLSON, Carl Vilhelm, dealer in fine photography and picture frames in the Pacific Bank building, Pawtucket, was born in Sweden, where he attended the schools and academies until he was 17 years old, after which he traveled over Europe, South America and Germany. He came to the United States in 1887 and located in Boston, Mass., where he at first engaged in mercantile life, but afterwards learned the art of photography. He obtained his experience with Hastings and with Notman, the leading artistic photographers of Boston, and also with Rose, and with Horton Brothers of Providence, and last with Louis M. Jackson, who had studios in Providence and Pawtucket. In 1895 Mr. Pohlson purchased Mr. Jackson's Pawtucket studio, which he now owns and operates on the top floor of the Pacific Bank building. The establishment is locally known as 'Maple Studio', and is one of the best appointed photograph parlors in New England. Mr. Pohlson possesses the taste of the born artist, which in combination with his superior practical knowledge of the photographic art, assures high grade work, as is attested by the illustrations shown in this book, the majority of which, especially the portraits, were made by photo-engraving from his photographs.
p. 418:POOLE, Henry, was born Dec. 10, 1863, in Halifax, Yorkshire, England, and is the sixth child of Richard Edward and Eliza (Dood) Poole. He came to America in 1887. In 1888 he began business as a shoemaker at 23 High street, Pawtucket, but removed in 1896 to his present location, 150 Main street. In politics he is a Republican, belongs to the Methodist church and is a member of the Sons of St. George. In 1883 he was married to Selina Lockwood, of Stockport, England, by which union there are two children: William Henry, b. in Stockport, 1884; Ethel, b. Pawtucket, 1890.
p. 418 - 420:POTTER, James C., president of the Howard & Bullough American Machine Co., Ltd., was born in Scotland, May, 1855, and is the oldest and only surviving son of James and Elizabeth (Johnstone) Potter. His ancestors were Scotch in both branches of the family, the father's side of the house hailing from Lochgilphead in Argyleshire, and the mother's side from Bridge-of-Allan in Stirlingshire. The father, who was of an inventive turn of mind and was also a mechanic, came to this country in 1872. He resided in Philadelphia for two years and then went to Lowell, Mass., where he lived until the time of his death in 1884. His son James and the mother joined the father by coming to this country in 1874. The mother, an extremely bright and energetic woman is still alive and resides in Lowell.
James C. was educated at the Mechanics Institute, Glasgow, and his first employment was with H. J. H. King & Co., experimental engineers, Glasgow, as a mechanical and experimental engineer. Later he was in the engineering department of the Anchor Line Steamship Co., and afterward had charge of one of the departments of The Vale of Clyde Engineering Works. On coming to this country he was appointed manager of the Whitehead & Atherton Machine Co., at Lowell, Mass. In 1887 he started the Potter and Atherton Machine Co. at Pawtucket with 20 men, and in six years has 250 men on the pay roll. In 1893 he organized the Howard & Bullough American Machine Co., Ltd., at Pawtucket, now employing about 1000 men (For an account of this enterprise see page 148 of this history).
Mr. Potter is also the inventor of fifty or sixty patents on textile machinery, nearly all of which are in operation to-day. While in Scotland he was a member of the 5th Battalion of the Royal Rifles - a volunteer organization. He is a member of all the Masonic bodies in Pawtucket, and attends the Congregational church. His mental endowments and trained mind, united with is superior aptitude for practical undertakings, has fitted him for the management of great industrial undertakings and has enabled him to rise from the ranks to the position he now occupies. In 1879 he was married in Baltimore, Md., to Charlotte Holland, by which union there are six children: Wallace and Clara born in Lowell, and Charlotte, Elizabeth, James and Mary born in Pawtucket.
illustration on facing page (page 419): H. R. Caufield, Projector of the N. E. Electrolytic Copper Works, and manager four years.
p. 420:PRATT, Gilbert Walker, was born in Taunton, Mass., Feb. 17, 1833, and is the oldest son of Ebenezer Walker and Abigail (Lincoln) Pratt. His father was born in Taunton, Oct. 13, 1802, and died there in 1886, and his mother, who is still living, was born in Taunton, May 29, 1804. Mr. Pratt is descended in the eighth generation from Matthew Pratt, one of the first settlers of Weymouth, Mass., and also traces his descent from the Widow Walker of Rehoboth, who with two sons came from England in 1635. For generations the Walker family was prominent in Rehoboth, and the Pratts have been numerous and prominent in many towns of the Old Colony.
Gilbert W. received his education at the Taunton Academy and at the high school, and was graduated from the latter when 18 years old. He then went to work in the Mason Machine Works, Taunton, where he remained for 16 years, during this time advancing step by step until he had charge of a department of the works. In 1866 he came to work as master mechanic for the Lonsdale Co., where he has continued ever since. In 1874 he was appointed assistant superintendent, but on the retirement of Mr. George Kilburn, in 1878, who was general superintendent of the company for many years, Mr. Pratt was advanced to that position, which he still continues to fill. He is an active member of the Christ church, (Episcopal) Lonsdale. He belongs to the Pawtucket Business Men's Association, and is a member of Holy Sepulchre Commandery, Pawtucket. May 20, 1855, he was married to Sarah A. Lincoln in Taunton, and they have three children, all born in Taunton: Lizzie F., b. Jan. 17, 1857; Carrie E., b. April 17, 1862; Charles G., b. Jan. 9, 1865.
p. 420:PRAY, George Washington, was born in Killingly, Conn., in 1858, and was the oldest child of Daniel and Mary F. (Parkhurst) Pray. His father was a cotton mill superintendent in a number of places, and was very successful in that difficult business. George attended the public schools of Danielsonville until he was 13 years old, after which he worked for three years as a clerk in a hardware store in that village. In 1873 he came to Pawtucket and worked under his father for three years in the mills of the Slater Cotton Co. He then went to work in 1878 for Charles Clough the jeweler, and learned the trade of a jeweler and watchmaker. For 15 years after learning his trade he worked for W. W. Dexter as a watchmaker and repairer. In 1893 he opened a jeweler's store at 9 High street, and in 1894 removed to 211 Main street, where in March, 1895, he was burned out. He, however, reopened in the same location when the structure was rebuilt, and still carries on his store there. He makes a specialty of fine jewelry and watch repairing and carries a fine stock of high-class jewelry, watches and clocks. Mr. Pray was married, Aug. 4, 1886, to Annie E. Boss, and they have three children: Mildred, George B., and Helen.
p. 420:PRIOR, Andrew, son of John and Julia Prior, was born in 1851 at Providence, where he attended the public schools. In 1864 he entered the employ of William Davidson, proprietor of the Franklin Dye House, where he has since remained. When Mr. Davidson retired in 1879, he succeeded to the business. The business prospered and to better meet the demands of Pawtucket patrons he opened a branch at 334 Main street. The Franklin Dye House is now an institution in the two cities of Providence and Pawtucket and merits and receives its quota of patronage.
p. 420 - 421:QUIGG, Alfred William, was born April 21, 1857, in Worcester County, Maryland. He was educated at Washington College, Chestertown, Md. Poor health precluded him from continuing his studies, and when 18 years old he went to Wyoming and secured employment as a cowboy, which occupation he followed for seven years. He then returned to New York and connected himself with the New York Life Insurance Co., and in 1889 was appointed agent of the company at Pawtucket, and in 1896 general agent for Rhode Island, which position he now holds, with offices in Providence. In politics he is a Republican. He attends the Methodist church. In 1889 he was married to Mellee Julia Ireland of New York, by which union there are three children: John Biddle, b. Jan. 29, 1890; Louise, b. March 18, 1892; Mildred, b. Feb. 9, 1895.
The paternal grandparents of Mr. Quigg were Isaiah, b. in Scotland, in 1799, d., in New Jersey in 1870, and Harriett Arnan, b. in Scotland, in 1798, and d. in New Jersey in 1873. Rev. John Bolton Quigg, father of Alfred W., was born in Philadelphia, Aug. 3, 1827. It was mainly through his efforts that the Wilmington Conference Academy was established, he having secured more than $50,000 for its erection. Rev. Howard Townsend Quigg, of Bryn Mawr, Pa., and Lemuel Ely Quigg, editor of the New York Press and congressman from the city of New York, are brothers to Alfred.
p. 421:QUINN, William H., son of Henry and Catherine (Hoops) Quinn, was born in Hookset, N. H., March 12, 1839, and received his education in the district schools. His first occupation was in a cotton mill. He enlisted as a private in Company A, 8th regiment New Hampshire Infantry, Sept. 13, 1861, at Nashua, N. H., and was mustered into service Oct. 25, the same year at Manchester, N. H. He was with Butler's expedition, which arrived at Ship Island, Miss., March, 1862, and was engaged in all the actions of the Department of the Gulf. At Port Hudson, La., he was wounded. He reenlisted, May 27, 1863, as first sergeant, Company B, 8th regiment N. H. Volunteers, and was honorably discharged at Vicksburg, Miss., Oct. 28, 1865. He was afterwards commissioned by and served the state of New Hampshire, and later was commissioned to and served the state of Rhode Island.
Mr. Quinn is proprietor of the City Wall Paper House, 440 High street, Central Falls, R. I., and also deals in white leads, oils, varnishes, glass, and painters materials. In politics he is a Republican. He is a member of the Broad Street Baptist church; belongs to Good Samaritan Lodge, I. O. O. F.; Manchester Encampment; Florence Lodge, D. of R.; and the Odd Fellows Beneficial Association. He was a prominent member of the fire department, and is now a member of the Central Falls Veteran Firemen's Association. Jan. 6, 1859, he was married to Sarah M. Parkes of Nashua, N. H.
Continued
These documents are made available free to the public for non-commercial purposes by the Rhode Island USGenWeb Project. Transcribed 2001 by Beth Hurd
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