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Providence: Published by Henry R. Caufield
Biographies of Prominent Citizens.p. 421 - 422:
READ, John Blake, a prominent hardware merchant of Pawtucket, was born in Eastport, Me., Dec. 2, 1802, and died in Pawtucket, Feb. 27, 1862. He was the son of Jonathan and Dorothy (Blake) Read, both of whom lived to a great age. Jonathan Read was an old soldier and was a prisoner on the old Jersey prison ship during the revolution. He died when 91 years old, and was the father of 13 children, 12 of whom grew to maturity. John B. was next to the youngest. When five years of age his parents removed to Westbrook, where he was sent to a district school until he was 14 years of age. At this time he went to work in a tin shop, living with his oldest sister while he learned the trade. In 1821 he came to Pawtucket, where he remained during the rest of his life, and for nearly half a century was in the hardware trade. His shop was opened on Main street, on the site where the John B. Read block now stands, and was located about where James A. Slattery's drug store is. In 1842 he built his residence, where his widow now lives, on Walcott street, and in 1850 he erected the brick block, which now numbers 176 to 180 Main street. The block next to it was built by Amos M. Read, his older brother, who was also a hardware merchant. The Reads were the oldest and most prominent merchants in their line of business for many years. Amos Read came to Pawtucket several years before John. He died in 1880, a very old man. Nov. 17, 1828, Mr. Read was married to Jane Thatcher Ingraham, only child of Elias and Phebe (Thatcher) Ingraham of Attleboro, Mass. Her father was a mechanic, and died in 1847. Mrs. Read was born in Attleboro, Mass., June 5, 1809. In September, 1896, she visited the White Mountains, and enjoyed the trip as keenly as when in 1832, sixty-two years before, she, in company with her husband, made the same journey on horseback. Mr. and Mrs. Read also had but one child, Mary Drowne Read, afterwards the wife of Edward LeFavour. She died in 1858, after the birth of John Edward LeFavour, Mrs. Read's grandson and her only descendant.
John B. Read was distinctively a business man. As a public spirited citizen, however, he was induced to accept various offices, such as town councilman, etc., all of which positions he filled with great credit to himself and to the best interests of his constituents. Politically he was a Whig, but at the formation of the Republican party before the war he became one of its staunchest members. When Pawtucket was a part of Massachusetts, he was elected to the lower house of the state legislature and served four years. He was a very popular man. For a long time he was commanding general of the Massachusetts militia.
p. 422 - 423:RICE, Randall Hopkins, chief of police of Pawtucket, was born in Coventry, R. I., May 11, 1837, and is the sixth child of Joshua P. and Dorcas (Fisk) Rice. The Rice family is of English origin, the immediate English ancestors having lived on the Isle of Wright. John Rice, the founder of the family in this country, came from London in 1661 with Edmund Calverly when only sixteen years old, and settled at Warwick, R. I. He married the daughter of Randall Holden, one of the leading men of Warwick, and on May 4, 1675, was admitted as a freeman of the colony of Rhode Island. Previous to that time he had been a freeman of the town of Warwick. The line of descent from the first settler from father to son is: John Rice, b. in England, 1646, d. in Warwick, 1731; Randall, one of the first settlers in Coventry, b. in Warwick, d. in Coventry, 1742; Capt. Richard, b. and d. in Coventry; John, b. in Coventry 1746; John, b. 1776, d. 1866, in Coventry; and Joshua, the father of Randall H., b. 1804, d. 1862 in Coventry.
Randall H. attended the public schools of Plainfield, Conn., and was graduated from the academy in that place when 18 years old. He then went to work at Moosup, Conn., where he remained two years. In 1857 he came to Pawtucket and entered upon an apprenticeship to the machinist trade. Here he remained until the outbreak of the war of the rebellion. After the war he worked as a machinist until 1874, when he was appointed chief of police of the town of Pawtucket and held this office until 1882, when he resigned. In 1885 he was again appointed chief. Later, he became superintendent of the Hope Thread mill and afterward of Gage's mill. In 1893 he was appointed captain of police. On Aug. 6, 1896, he was a third time appointed chief of police, succeeding Oliver H. Perry, deceased.
Mr. Rice had a distinguished record during the war of the rebellion. He enlisted April 15, 1861, in the Pawtucket Light Guard, Company E, and was mustered out Aug. 2, 1862. Oct. 24, 1861, he enlisted to serve during the war in the 11th Conn. Infantry, remained with this command during the entire struggle, and was mustered out Sept. 18, 1865. Starting as a private, he was promoted to be first sergeant, Dec. 3, 1861; second lieutenant, March 28, 1862; first lieutenant, Oct. 27, 1862; captain, Dec. 17, 1862; major, Oct. 25, 1864; lieutenant colonel, Nov. 30, 1864; colonel, Jan. 31 ,1865, of the 11th Conn. Infantry. He was also acting brigadier-general of 2d brigade, 3d division, 24th corps, Army of the James, and at the close of the war had command at Lynchburg of the 2d independent brigade and served as military governor of seven counties in southwestern Virginia, district of New River. He was engaged in the following battles: First Bull Run, Newbern, South Mountain, Antietam, First Fredericksburg, Second Fredericksburg, Siege of Suffolk, Providence Church Road, Edenton Road, Whitehouse Landing, Bermuda Hundred, Port Walthal, Swift Creek, Drury's Bluff, Coal Harbor, Petersburg, Fort Harrison, Chapin's Farm, New Market Road, and Appomattox. His brigade was one of the first to enter Richmond April 3, 1865. He was wounded at Newbern, Suffolk and Petersburg. The wound received at the latter place was in the abdomen, the ball passing through the body.
Col. Rice attends the St. Paul's Episcopal church. In politics he is a Republican. He is a member of Union Lodge, No. 10, A. F. and A. M.; Pawtucket Royal Arch Chapter, No. 4; Pawtucket Council, R. and S. M., No. 2; Holy Sepulchre Commandery; and Tower Post, G. A. R., No. 17.
Dec. 14, 1863, he was married at Pawtucket to Margaret E. Bates, a descendant in the eighth generation from Clement Bates, who settled at Hingham, Mass., in 1635. The children of this union are: Herbert Ambrose, b. July 25, 1866, and Edna Amelia, b. Feb. 29, 1868, who is now the wife of George E. Gale of Amesbury, Mass.
illustration on page 422: photo, Randall H. Rice, chief of police, Pawtucket.
p. 423:ROBBINS, Walter M., the second son of Jeremiah and Mary Ann (Southwick) Robbins, was born in Millville, Mass., April 5, 1861. He first went to school at Lonsdale and completed his education by a year's course at the Bryant & Stratton Business College, Providence. For ten years he was a clerk in a dry good store. In 1891 he left this occupation and entered into a partnership with Henry E. Watjen in the real estate and fire insurance business on a small scale in Pawtucket, under the name of Watjen & Robbins. In 1894 the firm organized the Home Building Co., which carries on one of the largest real estate and building businesses in the city of Pawtucket. Since its organization Mr. Robbins has been secretary of the company. In July, 1896, the firm of Watjen & Robbins was dissolved, and Mr. Robbins became the manager and financier of the Home Building Company, and carries on the building loan business developed by the firm. Mr. Robbins is an alert, active business man, and is thoroughly informed in regard to all the intricate details of the building loan business. In politics he is a Republican. He is a member of the Pleasant View Baptist church. He belongs to Superior Lodge, No. 35, I. O. O. F., Central Falls.
Mr. Robbins' grandfather, Isaac Watt Robbins, was a merchant in Providence, R. I. His uncle, Rev. Austin Robbins, who was born in Thompson, Conn., in 1812, and died in East Killingly, Conn., July 14, 1873, was a prominent Baptist minister, founded a church at Uxbridge, Mass., and one at Biddleford, Me., and preached for 51 years.
Oct. 25, 1883, Mr. Robbins was married to Mary Elizabeth Miller of Lonsdale, and they have had two children, Grace Miller, b. Oct. 2, 1893, d. July 28, 1894, and Gertrude Miller, b. Feb. 13, 1896.
p. 423 - 424:ROBINSON, Thomas, second child of William and Elizabeth (Dunston) Robinson, was born in Salford, near Manchester, England, July 27, 1820, came to this country in 1841, and settled at Pawtucket, R. I., where he has since resided. Mr. Robinson's opportunity for obtaining an early education was limited. When a little over seven years of age he went to work in a mill, where he remained until he was 13 years old. Then he went to night school for one year, after which he was apprenticed for seven years to Joseph Thacker, an iron and brass founder at Ashton-under-Lyne, Lancashire.
On the expiration of his term of indenture, being possessed of a thorough knowledge of the moulder's art, he determined to try his fortunes in a new field, and came to Pawtucket. He first worked as a moulder in an old foundry that stood on the site now occupied by the city pipe yard. He then sought employment at some other occupation, and for the next two years devoted his time to the fitting up of stores, and also to umbrella manufacturing. He then started a brass foundry, which he finally sold to Nehemiah Lee, who carried on the business in Pawtucket for a number of years. Later, in Providence, he worked for Louis P. Mead, and also for George B. Holmes, at the Phenix foundry, until the spring of 1846, when he erected his present homestead on what was called 'Seekonk Plains'. During the summer of that year he worked at Frederick Fuller's foundry at Fox Point. A year later he engaged himself with Amos C. Barstow, who was then about to undertake Corliss & Nightingale's foundry work, they having a machine shop at India Point. He remained with Mr. Barstow about 11 years, and turned out several 'premium' jobs, one of which was the sample for the fence that surrounded the old cove, by which the A. C. Barstow Co. secured the contract. He was also one of the organizers of the Pawtucket Furnace Co., in 1853.
During all this time he had applied himself closely to study, and had remedied the deficiencies of his early education. The habits of study thus acquired became fixed, and when 37 years old he commenced to study law and later was admitted to the bar. He opened an office in the old Franklin Bank building, and on the death of the late Wellington Kent succeeded to his business, enjoying a large and lucrative practice until he retired in 1889.
In politics Mr. Robinson has always been a Democrat of the Jackson-Jeffersonian type, believing that the office should seek the man rather than the man the office. He held every office in the town, including the judgeship of the district and probate courts, some of them many years in succession, often being on as many as three and four tickets at a time, yet never soliciting an office during his political experience. He is imbued with broad and liberal ideas on all questions and is much interested in philosophical speculations. His views on religious subjects and his both advocacy of them have involved him in many discussions and led to debates with the Rev. George Montgomery West, and later with the Rev. Messrs. Crandall and Griswold, opposing both of them in a joint discussion, at Mystic Bridge, Conn., which lasted 48 hours.
March 29, 1840, he was married to Mary Ashton of Duckinfield, Cheshire, at Stockport, England, and by this union there were eight children: John William, b. Sept. 4, 1841, d. Oct., 1842; Eliza, b. July 17, 1844, d. Aug. 14, 1844; Elizabeth, b. Feb. 12, 1846; William Corbett, b. Oct. 17, 1850, d. Feb. 12, 1853; Mary Eleanor, b. Feb. 11, 1854; Thomas William, b. March 23, 1856; Alice Amelia, b. Oct. 3, 1859.
p. 424 - 425:ROBINSON, Thomas William, attorney and councellor-at-law, was born March 23, 1856, at Pawtucket, and is the sixth child of Thomas and Mary (Ashton) Robinson. He attended the public schools of Pawtucket and was graduated from the Bryant & Stratton Business College, Providence, in 1874. For the two succeeding years he read law in the office of Blodgett & Clapp, and then took a course at the Boston University Law School, from which he was graduated in 1877. In 1878 he associated with his father in the practice of law and located in the Old Franklin Bank building, and now has an office in Cole's block on Main street, where he conducts his practice alone, his father having retired in 1889.
In politics Mr. Robinson is a Democrat. In 1885 he was a member of the Pawtucket town council and represented the city in the General Assembly for the years 1887, 1888, 1889, 1890, 1892, and 1893. As a result of his public life and wide experience Mr. Robinson is recognized as an able lawyer and has an extensive and varied practice.
He belongs to Court City of Pawtucket, Ancient Order of Foresters, and Providence Lodge, No. 14, B. P. O. E. Nov. 3, 1881, he was married to Mary E. Tetlow, of Providence, by which union there are two children: Lillian H., b. Oct. 30, 1883; Marion, b. Oct. 27, 1885.
p. 425:ROGERS, Carlos Ladd, deputy sheriff, was born Dec. 22, 1844, in Stanstead, Quebec, Canada, and is the eighth child of Philip and Louisa (Moulton) Rogers. He alternated between attending school and working on his father's farm until he was 18 years old. He then spent five or six years in the state of Vermont and in 1867 came to Pawtucket, where he secured a situation as lumber inspector, which he retained until 1876, when with Julius C. Rhodes, he established a hardware and house furnishing business at 13 and 15 North Main street. In 1877 Mr. Rhodes retired and Mr. Rogers conducted the business alone until 1883, when he engaged in the auctioneering and general collecting business, his present occupations. March 12, 1889, he was appointed deputy sheriff, which position he now holds. He is considered an independent in politics. He belongs to Pawtucket Council, No. 614, American Legion of Honor, Pawtucket Lodge, No. 1, A. O. U. W., and New England Order of Protection. He has occupied the offices of sealer of weights and measures and of town sergeant. Jan. 28, 1872, he was married to Clara E., daughter of the late Smith Grant, of Central Falls, by which union there are three children: Mary Louise, Clara Elsie and Ada.
p. 425:ROUNDS, Horatio M., son of Eron H. and Adeline (Davis) Rounds, was born in 1826 at Attleboro, Mass., where he alternately attended school and worked on a farm until he was 18 years old. In Seekonk he learned the wheelwright trade and worked at it in Foxboro for a year. In 1847 he came to Pawtucket and was employed by G. W. Everett & Co., carriage builders, where he remained for five years. From 1852 to 1854 he worked for R. Bliss & Co. He then started in business for himself at his present location, No. 1 Church street. His carriages and vehicles have brought him a reputation for thorough workmanship and his business has prospered. In politics he is a Republican. He attends Park Place church. He belongs to Enterprise Lodge, I. O. O. F. In 1851 he was married to Jane A. Bruce of Attleboro, by which union there are three children: Elmira D. and Eldora B. (twins), and Annie B.
p. 425:'The Rousmaniere', a family and transient hotel, is located on Maple street near Main street, Pawtucket, and is patronized by those who like home comforts. The hotel is conducted by Mrs. M. E. White who personally supervises the establishment. It has 60 guest chambers and is operated on the American plan. Rates, $1.25 per day; by the week, $6.50. Its location is in the central part of the city and is convenient to the railroad station and to the theatres.
p. 425:ROWBOTHAM, Robert William, was born March 28, 1867, in Boston, Mass. His parents removed to Valley Falls and later to Pawtucket, where he attended the public schools until he was 16 years old, when he went into the employ of N. P. Hicks, manufacturer of ring travelers. Later he worked for George H. Fuller, and subsequently worked for the Linton Paper Co. and the American File Co., respectively. He learned the plumbing trade with the Union Steam & Gas Pipe Co. He was employed at his trade by the Richmond Paper Co. He then entered the employ of George H. Fuller & Son, where he remained until 1895, when in connection with his brother, Everett John, he started the business of nickel plating, under the name of the Pawtucket Nickel Plating Co., with works in the Tingley building at the corner of Olive and Broad streets. The plant is well equipped and has facilities to do all kinds of nickel plating, brass and iron finishing, and is the only establishment of its kind in this vicinity. In politics Mr. Rowbotham is independent. He is a member of the Congregational church, and belongs to the Knights of Pythias. Sept. 18, 1890, he was married to Elizabeth Hynes, of Pawtucket, by which union there is one child, Everett Leroy. His father was born in Manchester, Eng., March 12, 1833, and died Dec. 9, 1892. His mother is living.
p. 426:RUSSELL, Henry H., fourth child of Emmons and Myria (Leonard) Russell, was born March 8, 1840, at Sunderland, Mass., where he attended the public schools, and finished his education at the Powers Institute, Barnardstown, Mass. His first occupation was on a farm. He then worked in dry goods stores at Greenfield and Amherst, Mass. In 1861 he located in Pawtucket and conducted a book and periodical store. Later he was appointed agent for the Earle express. In 1866 he became interested with A. L. Childs and conducted the ice business under the firm name of A. L. Childs & Co. Mr. Russell was the Co. The title of the firm was several times changed owing to change of partners. During all these vicissitudes Mr. Russell was manager of the concern. In 1890 the business was incorporated under the name of the Pawtucket Ice Co., with offices at 116 Main street, and Mr. Russell was elected general manager and treasurer, which positions he now holds. In politics he is a Republican. In 1885 he was married to Susan Eddy of Providence. Mr. Russell is descended from an old New England family and can trace his ancestry back for many generations. In Sunderland, Mass., stands an old house in which five generations of the Russell family were born.
p. 426:RYAN, John M., the son of Michael and Catherine (Harding) Ryan, was born in Grantstown, County Tipperary, Ireland, June 24, 1834. He landed in New York city, May 21, 1850, and with the exception of a short residence in the state of New York has since resided in Rhode Island. In 1862 he engaged in the dry goods and grocery trade at Lonsdale, R. I. In 1866 he bought the Amos Ballou farm at Ashton, in the town of Cumberland, and in 1867 removed his residence from Lonsdale to that place, which he has since made his home. In 1867 he sold out his Lonsdale business and built a large and commodious store at Ashton, where he now carries on an extensive general store. In 1883 he built the new store which he now occupies. Mr. Ryan's education was obtained in private and public schools in Ireland. In religion he is a Roman Catholic. He has been trustee of St. Joseph's Catholic church for 15 years and gave the land upon which the church edifice stands. He owns a large amount of real estate. Mr. Ryan is a Democrat, and has taken a leading part in Cumberland town politics. He was elected a member of the town council in 1887, 1888, 1890 and 1891, and was trustee of Ashton public school in 1885 and again in 1889. He represented the town of Cumberland as state senator in the Rhode Island General Assembly in 1893 and 1894. In 1854 he was married to Mary Finn, and they have had six children, four of whom are living: Michael (deceased), John P. (deceased), Katie, Elizabeth, Minnie, and Josie.
illustration on page 426: photo, John M. Ryan, State Senator from Cumberland, 1893-4.
p. 426 - 427:ST. GERMAIN, N. Edouard Ponton de, M. D., fourth child of Benoit and Esther Ponton de St. Germain, was born July 3, 1856, in the Province of Quebec where he received his early schooling. In 1872 he came to Pawtucket and found employment for some time with John Kenyon, manufacturer of laces; and then, in 1880, he went to Paris, France, where he studied medicine and pharmacy. In 1887 he returned to Pawtucket, and after passing an examination before the state board of pharmacy, opened a drug store and office at 68 Broad street. In July, 1895, he moved to his present quarters on Railroad avenue, near Broad street. His store is neatly appointed, is well stocked and is patronized by the high-class trade.
In politics Dr. St. Germain is a Democrat. He is a member of the Improved Order of Red Men, the Knights of Pythias, the Elks, and the R. I. Pharmaceutical Association. May 15, 1892, he was married to Iphygenie LaSalle, by which union there was one child, Martin Louis Edouard, b. Dec. 8, 1894. He had been married twice before, but from these unions there were no children. Dr. St. Germain is descended from an old French Canadian family, and his father was the son of Peter Ponton de St. Germain, who was condemned to death by the English government for the prominent part he took in the rebellion against English rule in 1836, but was ultimately pardoned by the governor. His mother's ancestors were among the early settlers of the Province of Quebec.
illustration on facing page (page 427): photo, Henry A. Steares, vice president and superintendent, Union Wadding Co., Lieutenant-Governor, R.I., 1890-1891.
p. 427:SAWYER, John D., fourth child of Freeman John and Augusta Miriam (Pitcher) Sawyer, was born in Aug. 31, 1867, at Canton, Mass., where he attended school until he was 14 years old. He obtained employment in a hardware store in Boston, Mass., and learned the business. Subsequently he was a traveling salesman for a Providence hardware house. In 1888 he located in Pawtucket and opened a hardware store at his present location, 296 Main street, where he conducts a flourishing business. Mr. Sawyer is descended on both sides from New England ancestors. His grandfather, John Sawyer, was born in Lyme, N. H., in 1806, where he carried on the business of a wheelwright until he died in 1894.
p. 427 - 430 (part 1):SAYLES family of Rhode Island is in lineal descent from John Sayles, who, tradition claims, came from England to Providence in 1645, in company with two brothers named Richard and Thomas. He settled in Providence and married Mary, daughter of Roger and Mary Williams, and became distinguished in the affairs of both town and colony. Jan. 27, 1651, he made his first purchase of real estate, buying a house and lot from John Throckmorton. The following year he purchased land near West river from Ralph Earle. On Feb. 19, 1665, he had lot 24 in the division of lands, and again on May 24, 1675, he drew lot 18. Besides these his father-in-law, Roger Williams, gave him a thirteenth interest in an island called Vineyard of Pawtuxet, which he sold to Stephen Arnold, Jan. 24, 1670. He was admitted a freeman in 1655, and was successively assistant, commissioner, town clerk, warden, town treasurer, member of the town council, and in 1669, 1671 to 1674, and 1676 to 1678 was a deputy. On May 7, 1677, (styled John Sayles, Sr.) he was fined 20s. for not attending the grand jury. He was born in 1633 and died in 1681, and is buried with his wife and son-in-law, William Greene, in the Easton burial ground, Middletown, R. I., near Sachuest beach.
Besides the children named below it is believed that he had a daughter Deborah: Mary, b. July 11, 1652, married, first, Dec. 17, 1674, William Greene; second, Oct. 12, 1680, John Holmes; she d. 1717. John, b. Aug. 17, 1654, d. Aug. 2, 1727. Isabel, d. 1716, m. twice, first, John Tillinghast; second, Robert Hickes; Phebe, d. 1744, m. Job Greene; Eleanor, b. 1671, d. March 11, 1714, m. Richard Green; Catharine, b. 1671, d. Feb. 21, 1751, m. William Olney.
The Pawtucket branch of the Sayles family is descended through the second child, John (2), who m. Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Olney; she was b. Jan. 31, 1666, and d. Nov. 2, 1699. Like his father, John accumulated considerable wealth and was prominent in public affairs. He was admitted a freeman May 3, 1681, was deputy in 1694 and 1706, and served on the grand jury in 1688. Jan. 23, 1703, he sold to Richard Phillips a dwelling house, barn and all lands and meadows at Maushapage for L100, 'only reserving forever, two poles square, where several graves are contained about 30 rods west of the house.' He gave his daughter Mary and her husband William Smith, a 40-foot lot on the west side of the 'Towne Street', and another lot, Jan. 29, 1722. By this will, which was proved Aug. 21, 1727, he made the following provisions for his children: Thomas, 10 acres and L10; Richard, L10; Mary (Smith), 40s; John, the homestead farm, with dwelling house, etc., 250 acres in all, including all movable goods. The gravestones to his memory and that of his wife Elizabeth and son Daniel are still to be seen, west of the railroad track nearly opposite foot of Earle street, Providence. He had five children: Mary, b. May 30, 1689, d. 1754, m. William Smith; John, b. Jan. 13, 1692, d. Sept. 16, 1777; RICHARD, b. Oct. 24, 1695, d. 1775; Daniel, b. Dec. 13, 1697, d. Feb. 3, 1698; and Thomas, b. Feb. 9, 1699, d. Nov. 9, 1754. The line of descent is through the third child:
Richard (3) moved to Smithfield, R. I., and was married three times, first, Nov. 24, 1720, to Mary, daughter of Richard and Sarah (Mary) Phillips; second, May 14, 1738, to Alice, widow of Daniel Arnold, and daughter of Maturin and Sarah Ballou, who d. 1741; third, Jan. 10, 1742, to Susannah, widow of John Inman and daughter of James and Susannah (Whitman) Ballou. Richard was a prominent land surveyor and laid out and surveyed government and state land in Burrillville, Glocester and Smithfield. He was town clerk of Smithfield in 1731. The record shows that he deeded to his son Richard two and three-quarters acres of land on Feb. 21, 1750, and seven years later, on July 5, 1757, to his sons Jonathan and Gideon all of the farm not disposed of, and on May 24, 1775, he sold to Caleb Aldrich, three acres of land for $100 and 'one pistareen'. The last two marriages were without issue. By the first there were six children: Daniel, b. Feb. 4, 1722; Richard, b. Aug. 5, 1723; ISRAEL, b. March 17, 1726; Elisha, b. April 15, 1728; Jonathan, b. May 12, 1730; and Gideon, b. May 30, 1732. The line of descent is through the third son:
Israel (4) m. Marsa Whipple, who bore him eleven children: Richard, Essie, Elisha, Christopher, Royal, AHAB, b. Oct. 10, 1760, d. April 17, 1849; Daniel; Mary, m. Essie Brown; Roba; Rebecca; Mercy, who m. Benjamin Mathewson. The line of descent is through the sixth child:
Ahab (5) m. Lillis, daughter of Samuel Steere, in January, 1786. She was b. Aug. 17, 1766, d. March 9, 1854. They had eight children: Azubah, b. Dec. 11, 1786, m. John Willing of Glocester, R. I.; Lucina, b. Feb. 5, 1789, m. Benjamin Bowen; Mercy, b. April 13, 1792, d. July 10, 1794; Nicholas, b. Sept. 18, 1794, m. Asenath Cooke; CLARK, b. May 18, 1797; Welcome, b. April 22, 1800, m. Maria Sayles; Lillis, b. Feb. 23, 1805, m. Sabin Smith; and Miranda, b. May 23, 1812. Ahab was a substantial farmer of considerable mechanical ability, of Glocester (now Burrillville, R. I.) was for many years president of the town council, and during the war of the revolution served in the patriot army under General Sullivan. He was eighty-eight years and six months old when he died. The line of descent is through the fifth child:
SAYLES, Clark (6), master builder and merchant, son of Ahab and Lillis (Steere) Sayles, was born in Glocester, (now Burrillville), R. I., May 18, 1797, d. Sept. 11, 1878. The Sayles homestead lands were situated between Pascoag and Chepatchet, in the line that finally in 1806, divided Burrillville from Glocester, leaving the family mansion in Burrillville. The ancestors of this family, on both sides, were industrious and honored farmers of the old type, some of them being Friends and others Baptists in their religious convictions. Clark was educated at home, on the farm, and in the common schools. His teacher, for many years, was William Colwell, afterwards cashier of the Glocester Exchange Bank. Both at his home and in the Chepachet library he found and eagerly read good books, not missing a 'library day' for years, as testified by Mr. Blackman, the librarian. When about 18 years of age he engaged to work for Elias Carter, a master-builder, with whom he labored in Thompson, Conn., and finally went to the state of Georgia and worked in constructing the burke County court-house. Returning, he assisted in building the Congregational church in Milford, Mass. Finally, he began as a master builder for himself; erected a residence for his brother Nicholas; again went to the state of Georgia, and constructed dwellings for planters, and completed the large hotel at Waynesborough. Returning from the South he built the meeting house in Greenville, Smithfield, R. I.
illustration on facing page (page 429): photo, Clark Sayles
In the spring of 1822 he removed to Pawtucket, R. I., and settled as a master builder; erected houses for David Wilkinson, added a middle section to the First Baptist church, planned and erected, in 1828, the First Congregational church in Pawtucket; built a church edifice in North Scituate, and one in Attleboro, Mass. During all this time he was also engaged in the lumber and coal trade, being the first man to introduce coal into Pawtucket by vessels. He associated with himself in business Daniel Greene, and in the great financial panic of 1829 the firm of Clark Sayles & Co. assumed, to a great disadvantage, as the issue proved, the business interests previously carried on by Mr. Greene, who had failed. Mr. Sayles was chosen director of the New England Pacific Bank, of whose board of thirteen directors eleven failed, while Mr. Sayles stood through the storm. Chosen president of this bank, as successor to Dr. Asa Messer, Mr. Sayles stood at the head of the institution for seventeen years, and, 'by most remarkably skillful financiering', brought the bank through all its difficulties. In 1837, closing most of his large business relations in Pawtucket, he again went south and engaged in the wholesale lumber trade for the firm of which he was the head, and also as agent of another company; operating steam sawmills, one on an island at the mouth of the Altamaha river, and one of the Savannah river, opposite the city of Savannah. After remaining south in the lumber trade (having his family with him during some of the winters) for about twenty years, he returned to Pawtucket. Not entering again largely into business for himself, he assisted his sons, William Francis and Frederic Clark, in purchasing materials, and in the construction of the buildings added to their extensive Moshassuck bleachery, in the town of Lincoln. He was also the general superintendent in the erection of the beautiful Memorial Chapel in Saylesville, near the bleachery.
Politically, he was an old line Whig and was finally identified with the Republican party, but would accept only town offices, as his object was service rather than honor. In the temperance reform he held a foremost place from the first. Near 1832 he united with the Congregational church, of which he always continued as an active and consistent member. He early won for himself, and always maintained a high and honorable place in society, and was deservedly esteemed in his ripe years.
He married, Dec. 25, 1822, Mary Ann, daughter of Paris Olney, of Scituate, R. I. She was a member of the Congregational church, and noted for her strength of mind, gentleness of spirit, soundness of judgment, decision of character, and the purity of her Christian life. She d. Sept. 11, 1878, in her seventy-sixth year. Mr. Sayles had five children: WILLIAM FRANCIS, Minerva Winsor (d. young), Charles Ahab (died young), Mary Ann (d. young), and FREDERIC CLARK.
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SAYLES, Frederic Clark, the youngest son of Clark and Mary Ann (Olney) Sayles, married Deborah Cook, daughter of Robert and Deborah (Cook) Wilcox of Pawtucket, Oct. 16, 1861, who was b. Nov. 26, 1841, and d. Nov. 25, 1895. They had five children: Caroline Minerva, b. Jan. 16, 1866; Frederic Clark, Jr., b. Aug. 21, 1868; Benjamin Paris, b. Oct. 31, 1871, d. May 30, 1873; Robert Wilcox, b. Jan. 29, 1878; and Deborah Wilcox, b. Nov. 17, 1880. Mr. Sayles is descended through six straight lines from Roger Williams, twice on his father's side and four times on his mother's side. He is also a direct descendant from Joseph Jenks, the first settler of Pawtucket, through his oldest son, Gov. Joseph Jenks. Mr. Sayles was born in Pawtucket, and is now the senior partner in the extensive Sayles bleacheries.
illustration on facing page: photo, F. C. Sayles.
In 1840 he accompanied his father to Georgia and received his earlier education in the best schools of Savannah. On his return, he attended the schools of Pawtucket, the University Grammar School of Providence, and was graduated with honor in 1853 from the Providence Conference Seminary of East Greenwich, R. I. In July following, in his 18th year, he commenced his business career in his brother's (William F. Sayles) Moshassuck Bleachery at 5 shilling per day, sweeping the rooms, invoicing goods, and performing any other services required. For ten years he labored diligently, acquiring a thorough knowledge of the mechanism used and the methods employed in every department of the works. In January, 1863, his diligence and fidelity was rewarded by an interest in the business. He was admitted a partner with his brother under the firm name of W. F. & F. C. Sayles, with entire charge of the local affairs and the details of operating the extensive works.
The Sayles bleacheries are probably the largest of their kind in the world. They use the most improved methods for bleaching sheetings, shirtings, lawns, and every variety of muslins, and are capable of turning out more than 50 tons of finished goods daily. In 1868 the business increased to such an extent that it was found necessary to make a decided enlargement, the result of which was the erection of the New Bleachery so called. Mr. F. C. Sayles made the plans and had the entire supervision of this work. The finishing of lawns and mainsooks, the finer class of cotton goods, had never been attempted in this country until taken hold of by Mr. Sayles as a separate branch of the business at the New Bleachery.
The Glenlyon Dye Works and the Lorraine Worsted Mills were both built under the supervision of Mr. F. C. Sayles. The very best skilled foremen for each department were engaged from abroad by him before any movement was made to build the works, so that success was assured from the beginning.
The various buildings of the bleachery and allied plants cover an area of about 30 acres. To the water power of the Moshassuck river has been added 14 steam engines, two of them being Corliss engines of about 200 horse-power each, and they consume annually more than 12000 tons of coal. Over 1200 operatives are regularly employed. The village of Saylesville, with its beautiful memorial church, its railroad, its well-kept houses and streets, owes its growth and development to the energy, good taste, and public spirit of William F. and Frederic C. Sayles, and is a lasting monument to their liberality.
Mr. Sayles has traveled extensively in England, Scotland, Ireland, France, Germany, Austria, Belgium, Holland, Switzerland, Russia, Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Italy, and on this continent, has been to Mexico and the Pacific coast.
The fine family residence of Mr. Sayles, built in 1868, with its large and tastefully arranged grounds, graces the eastern slope of the heights south of Pawtucket, which it overlooks, and is on the east side of East avenue, near the line of the city of Providence. The estate is known as Bryn Mawr.
Besides his interest in the Sayles bleacheries, Mr. Sayles in connected with various interests and enterprises. He is president of the following corporations: River Spinning Co., of Woonsocket, R. I., the Moshassuck Valley Railroad, the Crefeld Electrical Works, Saylesville, Narragansett Knitting Co., Pawtucket; and is a director in the Merchants National Bank, Providence, Slater National Bank, Pawtucket, Mathieson Alkali Works, Saltville, Va., Woonsocket Rubber Co., Woonsocket. He is a trustee of the Franklin Savings Bank of Pawtucket, and is concerned in other corporations. He was the first president of the Pawtucket Business Men's Association, holding that office four years. He has held a commission on the staff of the Pawtucket Light Guard, with the rank of major.
By the special encouragement and aid of Sayles brothers, W. F. and F. C., there was organized in Saylesville, June 2, 1880, the Memorial Chapel Congregational church, of twenty-five constituent members. The Sabbath school held there registered, during 1896, one hundred and eighty-six members, with an average attendance of one hundred and twenty-three. At the hands of the Sayles brothers, public enterprises and benevolent causes always met with hearty encouragement and generous support. Mr. Sayles was the first mayor of the city of Pawtucket, and served for two years, 1886 and 1887. His influence and untiring energy were plainly discernible on the successful launching of the new city government.
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SAYLES, Hon. William Francis, of the seventh generation of the family, was one of the leading manufacturers in Rhode Island during the middle years of the present century. He was born in Pawtucket, R. I., Sept. 21, 1824. As an inheritance from his ancestors William F. Sayles had the sterling qualities of character that made him a marked and successful man. He attended the Fruit Hill Classical Institute of North Providence, where the Hon. Amos Perry was then principal. He then went to the Seekonk Classical School, and completed his education at Phillips Academy, Andover, Mass., where he spent two years. In 1842, when 16 years of age, he became bookkeeper for the commercial house of Shaw & Earle of Providence, and in this way earned the money for his expenses at Andover. After leaving that institution he engaged permanently with Shaw & Earle, worked in his old position as bookkeeper, but was soon promoted to be chief salesman and financial manager.
After this business experience Mr. Sayles decided to engage in manufacturing on his own account. He had little capital and no experience whatever, but in 1847 he purchased the Pimbley printworks on the Moshassuck river, two miles northwestward from Pawtucket falls, and began the bleaching of cotton cloth. The premises were small, but the first year he was able to turn out about a ton of cloth a day, and by 1854 this had increased to four tons daily. By close application and a study of his business Mr. Sayles was enabled to so improve the methods of the industry that his goods acquired a high reputation. June, 1854, the works were burned, but were immediately rebuilt, and the daily product when they resumed operations in 1855 was six tons a day. From that time onward the works were constantly enlarged, until the buildings of every kind utilized in the industry cover a space of about thirty acres. The structures are chiefly of brick. The production has increased from one ton daily to 40 tons, or 325,000 yards of finished goods daily. The establishment is now the largest of its kind in the world and eight hundred operatives are employed. It has always been known as the Moshassuck Bleachery. The business increased so rapidly that in 1866 Mr. Sayles admitted his brother, Frederic Clark Sayles, as a partner, and the firm was thereafter known as W. F. & F. C. Sayles. In 1877 the firm built the Moshassuck Valley Railroad, which extends from the works to a junction at Woodlawn with the main line between Providence and Pawtucket, a distance of about two miles, and furnishes the bleachery and village with unequalled transportation facilities. The works are operated by a large number of steam engines, many of them of great power, and the consumption of coal for power, heating and lighting is over 17,000 tons annually.
Very much of the success of the bleachery is no doubt due to the quality of the water used, which is largely obtained from the Moshassuck river. As there are no manufacturing establishments on the stream above Saylesville the water is uncontaminated, clear and pellucid and has excellent bleaching properties. Within a few years past, with the great increase in the size of the bleachery, an additional supply was required. This has been obtained from a large number of driven or artesian wells, that now furnish a large volume of clear water. The works and village are picturesquely situated overlooking the valley of the Moshassuck, and Scott's pond, a beautiful sheet of water, lies just across the main highway from the bleachery.
As the business increased a village gradually grew up around the works, to which the name Saylesville was given. Mr. Sayles established a day school for the children of his employees very soon after starting his business, and in 1860 he also started a Sunday school, of which he was for more than a score of years the superintendent. The brothers erected in 1873 on high land overlooking the village and works, a beautiful granite church, as a memorial to their deceased children, and for the use of the community as a religious gathering place. In 1877 a tower was added by Mr. Sayles as a memorial to his son William Clark Sayles. The chapel seats two hundred persons. Since June 2, 1880, it has been the house of worship of the Memorial Chapel Congregational church. The edifice was constructed under the direction of Clark Sayles, the father of the Sayles brothers.
The Lorraine mills, on the Moshassuck river, Mineral Spring avenue, Pawtucket, engaged in the manufacture of fine worsted and cotton dress goods, have been owned and operated by W. F. & F. C. Sayles since 1882 under the name of the Lorraine Manufacturing Co. During this period they have been developed and brought to a high degree of prosperity, the mills have been greatly enlarged, the product has increased in volume five times, and the number of employees has grown from 200 to 1,100. North of the bleachery, but on the same extensive premises at Saylesville, is the Glenlyon Dye Works, with a large plant which is operated in connection with the bleachery. Still further south is a pumping station and filtration tanks where the water from the bleachery and dyeworks is purified before it is allowed to flow back into the river. The Lorraine mills are about a mile and a half south of Saylesville, in an almost straight line, and are connected by the Moshassuck Valley Railroad, which runs along the bank of the old channel of the Blackstone canal, now utilized as the bed of the Moshassuck river. The buildings of the bleachery, the dyeworks, and the filtration plant are all stretched along the banks of the river and the line of the railroad, and are surrounded by ample grounds.
On commencement day, June, 1878, W. F. Sayles gave to Brown University, Providence, $50,000 for the erection of a hall to the memory of his son, William Clark Sayles, who died Feb. 13, 1876, while a student. This sum he afterward increased to $100,000, and the money was used to build the beautiful Sayles Memorial Hall, so well known as the place of the popular university lectures, and which was dedicated June 4, 1881. <> W. F. Sayles, as this record shows, was a man of enterprise and character, but even these details do not tell the full story of his life. He was a skilled financier, and the success of the great business was mainly due to his prudent and skillful pilotage. In the financial and business community he held many positions of trust and responsibility. He was president of the Slater National Bank of Pawtucket and also a director in the Third National Bank of Providence; president of the Slater Cotton Co., of Pawtucket, which enterprise he originated; vice-president of the Ponemah mills, Taftville, Conn.; was a director in mills in Massachusetts and Connecticut; president of the Pawtucket Free Library for many years; one of the board of trustees of Brown University; represented the town of Pawtucket in the state senate in 1875-6; was for a time lieutenant-colonel of the Pawtucket Light Guard, and was active in various lines of life. He and his family were members of the Central Congregational church of Providence.
He was married Oct. 30, 1849, to Mary Wilkinson Fessenden, daughter of the Hon. Benjamin Fessenden of Valley Falls. Six children were born to them, of whom two are now living, Mary, who married Roscoe S. Washburn of Providence, and Frank Arthur Sayles, who has succeeded his father in the management of the business. In 1871-2 Mr. Sayles erected a beautiful mansion on East avenue, on elevated land overlooking Pawtucket from the south. This residence with its park-like grounds is like a well-kept English estate. It is now the residence of Frank A. Sayles. W. F. Sayles died May 7, 1894, full of years and honors, much lamented by his family and the community.
By his will Mr. Sayles directed that $200,000 be devoted to the construction and maintenance of a memorial to his wife and daughter. To carry out his bequest, the Jacob Dunnell residence and estate on Prospect street, Pawtucket, was purchased, but the precise form of the memorial has not as yet been decided upon. A bequest of $100,000 was also made by Mr. Sayles for the erection of a building for a free library for Pawtucket, but this was left absolutely to the discretion and judgment of his son Frank A. Sayles, the will providing that the latter must approve of the bequest in writing before it should go into effect.
illustration on facing page (p. 433): photo: Wm. F. Sayles
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The various properties that William F. Sayles so successfully projected and developed, have been reorganized into three separate concerns. He was the sole owner of what has long been known as the 'old bleachery', while the 'new bleachery' erected in 1866, was the property of W. F. & F. C. Sayles, which was then first formed. Frank A. inherited his father's interests in the bleacheries. Late in 1896 arrangements were finally consummated by which he purchased his uncle's interest in the 'new bleachery', the Glenlyon Dye Works, the Lorraine mills, and the Crefeld mills, Westerly, R. I.
Frank A., now the sole owner of the bleacheries, will continue to conduct them under the old name of the 'Sayles Bleacheries'. He has been in full control since his father's death, and under his management the great concern has been materially increased and five new buildings have been erected.
The dye works has been formed into a corporation under the name of the Glenlyon Dye Works of Pawtucket, the incorporators of which are Frank A. Sayles, Charles O. Reed, and Maurice K. Washburn. Mr. Sayles is president, and Mr. Reed treasurer and secretary. The capital stock of this corporation is $400,000.
The Lorraine mills and the Crefeld mills were organized into a corporation under the name of the Lorraine Manufacturing Co., with a capital stock of $1,250,000. The incorporators were Frank A. Sayles, Charles O. Reed and James R. MacColl. Mr. Sayles is also president of this corporation and Mr. MacColl treasurer and agent. These mills produce fine worsted, cotton and silk dress goods and a large variety of other fabrics. Mr. Sayles is the controlling owner in these two corporations, and the dominant spirit in their management.
illustration on page 434: drawing, Hope Webbing Co., corner Main and Larned streets.
SAYLES, William R., son of Willard and Marcy (Arnold) Sayles, was born Nov. 11, 1837, at Manville, R. I., where he attended the public schools until he was 14 years old. He then went to live with his brother, a lawyer at Windsor Locks, Conn. Later on he entered the Williston Seminary, East Hampton, Mass., and subsequently studied law. He entered Brown University in 1860 and was graduated in 1864. Upon the death of his brother, who died in New York in 1863, he came to Pawtucket, and entered the Providence County Savings Bank as a bookkeeper, which position he still fills to the satisfaction of the bank officials and patrons. He is trustee of the Pawtucket Public Library, for 18 years was its secretary and chairman of its book committee, which latter position he now holds. He was president of the Universalist Church Society, and for many years, was also librarian of the Sabbath school. He was chairman of the committee on entertainment and treasurer of the Pawtucket Business Men's Association. He was a member of the school board in 1872, and also served on the board for five years from 1886. In 1891 he closed his public labors on account of sickness. He was chairman of the committee on evening drawing schools, and did much to bring that undertaking to the high grade of perfection it now enjoys. He was also an earnest advocate of the system of kindergarten instruction and gave his influence in that direction.
In 1872 he was married to Amelia L. Adams, daughter of Abraham Adams, of Pawtucket, by which union there are three children: George W., Ella Harding, and William R., Jr.
illustrations on facing page: Photos, Frederick A. Patt, of Patt & Davis, painters and paperhangers; Sanford R. Pierce, merchant tailor in Pawtucket for 42 years; Alfred W. Quigg, general agent, New York Life Insurance Co., Providence; Horatio M. Rounds, carriage manufacturer; Robert W. Rowbotham, of the Pawtucket Nickel Plating Co.; N. Edouard Ponton de St. Germain, registered pharmacist and physician.
p. 436:SCHILLER, Hector, first child of Edward and Angeleque (Demers) Schiller, was born Aug. 2, 1850, in Maneville, P. Q., Canada, where he attended the public schools until he was 17 years old. In 1867 he came to America and found employment in the mill at Natick, R. I. He then engaged in the grocery business. In 1872 he removed to Central Falls and went into the employ of Fournier Brothers, grocers and general provision dealers. In the meanwhile he attended Scholfield's Commercial College, Providence. Upon the dissolution of the firm of Fournier Brothers in 1873, he formed a partnership with John M. Fournier under the firm name of Fournier & Schiller and carried on the grocery and provision business. In 1883 a bakery and preserving and pickling departments were added. Subsequently the business was divided, Mr. Schiller taking the grocery and provision department, which he still conducts at 517 Broad street, and it is the largest establishment of its kind in Central Falls.
In politics he is a Republican. He was one of the firewards and president of the board of Central Falls fire district. He was a member of the Lincoln town council from 1891 until the incorporation of the city of Central Falls, when he was elected an alderman, and served for two terms. April 15, 1867, he was married to Matine Papensau, of Natick, by which union there are three children: Rosanna, b. July, 1872, Oscar, b. April, 1883; Oadaloid, b. Sept. 1887.
p. 436:SCHOLZE, William F., was born Oct. 21, 1856, in Reichenan, Saxony, Germany, and is the son of John G. and Johanna R. Scholtze [sic]. He was educated in the schools of Reichenan and afterwards finished his education in Zittan College. He then went to the dyeing establishment of Friedrich & Lee to learn the business under the direction of Smith Dufton, after which he served in the German army. On his return home he took up his business again, and in 1878 he became manager of the dyeing and finishing of piece goods for Jeaeger & Sons, in Ash, Bohemia, where he stayed for two years. In May, 1880, he came to America and was engaged on Staten Island, New York, in a dyeing and finishing establishment as piece dyer for three years. From that position he was engaged by W. F. & F. C. Sayles in 1883 as manager of the dyeing departments of the Glenlyon Dye Works, which position he now holds. In politics he is a Republican. He attends the Sayles Memorial Chapel at Saylesville. In 1886 he was married to Carrie Astrap of Providence, R. I., the second daughter of Samuel and Hannah Astrap, by which union there are three children: Leta M., William F., and Ernst A., born in Saylesville.
John G. Scholze, the father of William F., was the only son of five children and was the heir to the Scholze homestead. He was married in 1835 to the only child of Gottlieb Pueschel, who was a linen manufacturer. In 1860 John G. Scholze started a coal mine on the estate, which business he carried on until his death in 1866. He left a widow and twelve children, of which William F. was the youngest.
p. 436 - 437:SHEAHAN, Thomas, was born at Glen, County of Limerick, Ireland, in 1859, where he learned the trade of a blacksmith and horse shoer. He came to America in 1882 and worked at his trade with a Mr. Folsom at Providence. In 1887 he came to Pawtucket and opened his present horseshoeing establishment, at 20 Slater avenue, with Thomas Fitzgerald as a partner, and the business is now carried on, at the old stand, under the firm name of Thomas Sheahan & Co.
Mr. Sheahan attends the St. Mary's Catholic church. In 1885 he was married to Mary Doherty of New York, by which union there are three children: Mary, b. Providence, 1886; Margaret, b. 1888; Jeremiah, b. 1892, in Pawtucket. Mr. Sheahan's parents reside in Ireland, where his father is engaged in farming.
p. 437 - 438:SHELDON, Henry Herbert, son of Pardon and Harriet (Collins) Sheldon, was born July 13, 1834, in Providence, R. I. In 1851 he was apprenticed to Henry Giles to learn the jewelry trade, where he remained for three years. He then went into the business with a partner on Page street, Providence, but a year later bought out his partner and associated himself with George G. Greene, under the firm name of Sheldon & Greene, which partnership continued until 1860. This firm also had an office in New York city. In 1862 Mr. Sheldon raised a company called the Burnside Zouaves, of which he was lieutenant-colonel. He was a member of the First Light Infantry from 1854 to 1876, and is now a member of F. L. I. Veterans. In 1863 he was appointed to a position in the United States Treasury Department which he held until 1865. Upon returning he connected himself with a large cutlery house in Boston, then with one in New York city, in which he remained until 1874. He then returned to Providence and was employed by the Retort Gas Stove Co. as traveling salesman, and visited all parts of the United States and Western Europe. In 1882 he invented the Sheldon Gas Stove, which he manufactured until 1885, having an office in New York. He then established a business in Pawtucket, formed the Sheldon Building Co., purchased the Miller estate, corner Broad and Main streets, and erected thereon the present Sheldon building. This company subsequently purchased various estates, leased stores and buildings and by adding improvements and making alterations, by either selling or sub-leasing the premises, created the well-established and successful business now conducted by this company. To Mr. Sheldon's foresight and enterprise the city of Pawtucket owes many of its attractive business blocks. Mr. Sheldon has been identified with many enterprises, including the Providence Cable Tramway Company, the charter of which he obtained in 1883, also the Pawtucket Cable Tramway Company. In politics he is a Republican, but realizing the need of a non-partisan city government he was a candidate for mayor in 1896 on an independent ticket, secured by nomination papers, but was defeated.
June 30, 1859, he was married to Adeline Frances Carpenter, of Coventry, whose parents, Benjamin F. and Mary C. (Waterman) Carpenter, became residents of Pawtucket in 1860. Mr. Carpenter served both the towns of Coventry and Pawtucket in the General Assembly. By this union there were three children: Grace Waterman, b. April 29, 1860, d. May 3, 1882; Philip Collins, b. Oct. 10, 1861; Charles Herbert, b. May 16, 1874.
Mr. Sheldon is descended from an old New England family and traces his ancestry to John Sheldon, who was born in England in 1630, came to the country early in life, and was one of the first settlers of Providence, where he died in 1708. The line of descent in succeeding generations, from father to son, was as follows; Nicholas, son of John, d. 1747; Nicholas, b. 1694, d. 1787; Nicholas, b. 1732, d. 1828; Nicholas, d. age 75 years; Pardon, father of Henry H., b. Sept. 10, 1788, at Cranston, d. Dec. 30, 1851, was a wholesale grain and flour dealer in Providence from 1822 to 1835, when he retired from active business, purchased a small farm of 40 acres, three and a half miles out of the city of Providence, which is now a part of Edgewood. In 1846 he again changed his residence to Pawtuxet, where he remained six years, until his death in 1851, when his widow and children removed to Providence.
illustration on page 437: photo, Henry Herbert Sheldon, president of the Sheldon Building Co.
illustrations on page 428: photos, Charles H. Sheldon, secretary of the Sheldon Building Co. and Philip C. Sheldon, treasurer of the Sheldon Building Co.
p. 438:SHELDON, Philip Collins, was born in Providence, R. I., Oct. 10, 1861. He attended the Pawtucket public schools, and later Mowry & Goff's English and Classical School, Providence, from which he was graduated June 10, 1880, and was the salutatorian of his class. For six years he was employed by the American Screw Co., Providence. In 1887 he joined his father in the real estate business, the firm name being H. H. & P. C. Sheldon, with offices in the Sheldon building, Pawtucket.
In politics Mr. Sheldon is a Republican and was elected as councilman from the third ward in 1890. At the present time he is secretary of the Park Commission. He is a director of the Pawtucket Mutual Fire Insurance Co. He is a member of the First Baptist church, Pawtucket, is a junior deacon, and assistant superintendent of the Sabbath school. Sept. 4, 1889, he was married to Rubiena Carrie Hardwick, daughter of Henry Hingston and Amelia Adeline (Wiswell) Hardwick, in the Fourth Street Baptist church, South Boston, Mass. By this union there are two children: Marshall Hingston, b. June 21, 1890; Beatrice Adelin, b. July 8, 1895.
p. 439:SHELDON, Charles Herbert, son of Henry H. and Adeline Frances (Carpenter) Sheldon, was born May 16, 1874, at Pawtucket, R. I., where he attended the public schools and finished his education at the Mowry & Goff English and Classical School in Providence. He is secretary of the Sheldon Building Co., and resides with his parents at Park Heights, Pawtucket.
p. 439:SHERMAN, Albert R., second child of Simon P. and Hannah G. Sherman, was born Jan. 23, 1838, at Providence, R. I., where he attended the public schools. He also went to the academy of Jenks A. Mowry, North Providence, and later took a course in mechanical drawing at Scholfield's Commercial College, Providence. He was afterwards employed by the A. & W. Sprague Manufacturing Co., Providence, as master mechanic, which position he held for 15 years. In 1876 he was engaged by the Fales & Jenks Machine Co., Pawtucket, as selling agent, and later became agent for the United States Cotton Co. and the Hope Thread mills, remaining in these positions about twelve years. In 1888 he retired from regular employment and went abroad, visiting the large manufacturing establishments of Europe. Since then he has devoted his time to making improvements in spinning and twisting machinery. He invented the Sherman spinning and twisting spindle and also perfected improvements upon the Rabbeth spinning spindle. These spindles are now in general use, both at home and abroad, and caused a revolution in the spinning industry by their capability of being operated at a much higher rate of speed, thus ensuring much larger production of yarn at a less cost.
In politics Mr. Sherman is a Democrat. He served as state senator from Pawtucket in 1889, 1890 and 1891. While a member of the legislature he introduced and had enacted into laws, measures which resulted in a mutual exchange of tickets between the then two existing railroad corporations, and the reduction of fares from 16 to 20 coupon tickets for $1.00 between Central Falls, Pawtucket and Providence.
In Aug., 1860, he was married to Alma W. Tibbetts of Warwick, R. I., who died Nov. 17, 1888. By this union there are two children: Charles E., b. 1862, d. 1864; Albert Everett, b. July 14, 1870. Mr. Sherman's parents were born at North Kingstown, and he is a descendant of Philip Sherman, one of the early settlers of Rhode Island.
p. 439:SHERMAN, Sylvester C., overseer at the Dexter Yarn Company, is the son of Philip D. and Sarah A. (Budlong) Sherman, and was born in 1836, at Natick, R. I., where he attended the public schools. When 12 years old he went to work in the spinning room of the A. & W. Sprague cottton mill, where he remained two years. Later he was employed at the Quidnick mill, Coventry, also operated by the Spragues, where he remained for 14 years, and during three years of this period was overseer of the carding department. In 1866 he came to Pawtucket as overseer of the carding department for the Dexter Yarn Co., which position he now holds. He belongs to Union Lodge, A. F. & A. M.; Pawtucket Royal Arch Chapter; Holy Sepulchre Commandery; and Enterprise Lodge, I. O. O. F. His family attends the Park Place Congregational church. In 1859 he was married to Ruth G. Cornell. Mr. Sherman is of old New England ancestry and his family have been residents of Rhode Island for upwards of 150 years, and have lived in or near Warwick.
p. 439 - 440:SHOVE, Isaac, secretary of the Pawtucket Mutual Fire Insurance Co. for nearly forty years, was born in Smithfield (now Woonsocket), R. I., Oct. 4, 1823, son of Marvel and Lydia (Fish) Shove. The ancestor of the Shove family in this country was the Rev. George Shove, the third minister of Taunton, Mass., whose wife was Hopestill Newman, daughter of Rev. Samuel Newman, one of the founders of Rehoboth; she died in 1674; from them the Shoves, few in number, have descended. Isaac's father was a manufacturer at the Globe mill; his mother died during his infancy, and he went to live with his grandfather, Josiah Shove, in Mendon (now Blackstone), Mass. He attended the district school, and about 1833 went to the boarding school of Thomas Fry in Bolton, Worcester county, Mass., where he was fellow schoolmate with Samuel Foss, for many years editor of the Woonsocket Patriot. At the age of 14 he went to live with an uncle in the town of Palmyra, Wayne county, N. Y., where he worked on the farm. In 1846 he returned east and lived in Seekonk, Mass., until 1851, when he came to Pawtucket, Mass., and obtained employment as a clerk. In 1856 he was elected secretary of the Pawtucket Mutual Fire Insurance Co., which office he still fills, having held it for a period of over forty years. In 1857-8-9 Mr. Shove was on the board of selectmen of Pawtucket, and in 1860 he was appointed by Governor Banks a trial justice with jurisdiction over Pawtucket, Seekonk and Rehoboth. In 1862 Pawtucket was annexed to Rhode Island, and he was elected town clerk and held the office three years. He was elected a member of the House of Representatives in 1865 and again in 1866, and in 1865 he was elected by the General Assembly a member of the Court of Magistrates, with jurisdiction over Pawtucket, North Providence and Smithfield - an office which under different names he has held with the exception of two years, up to the present time, about thirty-four years. In 1874, when the town of North Providence was divided and a portion consolidated with Pawtucket, Mr. Shove was again elected to the General Assembly, and yet again in 1881. In 1877 and in 1888 he was president of the town council of Pawtucket, subsequently served as sewer commissioner, and has held various offices in town and city. In politics he is a Republican.
p. 440:SIDEBOTTOM, Abram Mellor, was born in England in 1837, and was the third child of Jonathan Smith and Mary (Andrews) Sidebottom. He came with his parents and grandparents to this country in 1840 when three years old. His grandfather, Abram Sidebottom, who was the first calico machine printer in this country, was born in England in 1774, and died at Crompton, R. I., in 1844. Abram M. attended the Pawtucket public schools until he was 10 years old, when he went to work in what was then the John Gardner cotton mill, Central Falls, but which is now one of the factories of the Stafford Manufacturing Co. Afterwards he went to work in the Dunnell printworks, where he continued to labor until 1853, when he started to learn the carriage trimming trade with Allen Green of Providence, and after completing his apprenticeship worked as a journeyman. In 1860 he went into the carriage trimming business in company with Joseph Peckham, under the name of Peckham & Sidebottom, at the corner of Cove and Worcester streets, Providence. A year later he purchased his partner's interest and from that time conducted the business under his own name, at 79 Clifford street, Providence. In 1888 he opened a branch shop in Pawtucket, and in 1893 removed his entire business to this city, where, in rear of 323 Main street, he now carries on a successful and growing business. Mr. Sidebottom is an Odd Fellow, belongs to Enterprise Lodge and Blackstone Encampment, and has been treasurer of the latter organization for 21 years. He also belongs to Pawtucket Assembly, No. 43, Royal Society of Good Fellows. He was married in January, 1864, to Elizabeth Monkhouse of Pawtucket, and they have had nine children: Mary Francis, married T. J. Kenyon; Ida May, married Merrill S. Louks; Dora (died at the age of one year); Walter, Abram J., Elizabeth Jane, married Louis C. Sandhurst; Mark M.; Martha LeBaron; and Margaret Ruth.
p. 440 - 441:SISSON, Charles, third child of Asa and Mary Ann (Peck) Sisson, was born Sept. 7, 1847, in Coventry, R. I. He attended the public schools of his native town and finished his studies at the Friend's School, Providence. In 1866 he was bookkeeper for Vaughan & Greene, webbing manufacturers, at Hamilton, R. I. In a short time he had learned the business and was made superintendent of the works, which position he held until 1883, when with Oscar A. Steere he established the Hope Webbing Co., on Sprague street, Providence. In 1890 the business was incorporated and the plant removed to Pawtucket, where a factory had been erected especially for its accommodation. Mr. Sisson was elected treasurer of the company, which position he now holds.
Mr. Sisson served in the town council of North Kingstown, was president of that body in 1881, and was chairman of the school committee from 1875 to 1883. He is now a member of the city council of Providence. In politics he is a Republican. He is a member of the Society of Friends. Oct. 4, 1888, he married Elizabeth Davis Eyre, of Philadelphia, by which union there are five children: Charles P., b. Feb. 9, 1890; Russell E., b. Aug. 4, 1891; Hope, b. Jan. 21, 1893; Ruth, b. Feb. 10, 1894; Alice, b. Feb. 27, 1895.
Mr. Sisson's maternal grandfather, Perez Peck, b. in Rehoboth in 1786, was one of the first manufacturers of cotton machinery in New England, and conducted an extensive business at Coventry, R. I. His father, Asa Sisson, was likewise a manufacturer of cotton machinery; he was born in Warwick, R. I., Oct. 5, 1815, and died Jan. 19, 1893.
p. 441:SLOCUM, William Henry, was born Oct. 2, 1842, at Pawtucket, and is the fourth child of Samuel and Betsey (Radloff) Slocum. Until he was 14 years old he attended the public schools of his native city. His first employment was on a farm. He then learned blacksmithing and machine forging at the Providence Steam Engine Works, and worked at his trade until 1879, when he established himself in business, at his present location, 39 Bayley street, Pawtucket. In politics he is independent. During the war of the rebellion he responded to the call of his country in her most trying hour and went to the front with the 9th Rhode Island regiment, under Colonel Pitman, with Robert McCloy as captain. He belongs to Tower Post, G. A. R. Jan. 1, 1863, he was married to Hannah Follett of Pawtucket, by which union there are two children: Lyman F., b. Nov. 7, 1863; Charles A., b. Oct. 30, 1865. His wife died Jan. 28, 1878. March 1, 1880, he was married to Mrs. Rosanna (Curran) Kennedy of Pawtucket. Mr. Slocum's father, Samuel, was a mechanic, was born at Tiverton, R. I., in 1804, and died in New Bedford, July, 1883. His mother was a member of the Radloff family of Seekonk, Mass., where she was born May 24, 1816.
p. 441:SMALES, George, was born in 1854 at Skelton, in Cleavland, Yorkshire, England, and obtained his early schooling at a church of England school. His first occupation was as a groom and coachman. Later he learned the trade of a stair builder. In 1881 he came to America and located in Pawtucket. He began and now conducts the business of a stair builder and screen manufacturer, and deals in all kinds of newel posts, balusters, handrails, etc., at 78 Pleasant street, where he does a flourishing trade. The Smales sliding window screen is considered to be the best on the market.
Mr. Smales is a member of the Protestant Episcopal church. He belonged while in England to the 18th North Yorkshire Rifle Volunteers. He has been a member of Abraham Lincoln Lodge, Sons of St. George, since 1888, and has filled the offices of secretary, vice-president, president and past president; and for five years has been first representative to the state Grand Lodge. In 1894 he was elected to the office of chairman, and is trustee of the State Grand Lodge. In Aug., 1895, he was elected to represent the State Grand Lodge at the Supreme Lodge held in New York, Oct., 1895. In June, 1891, he was elected captain of Abraham Lincoln Commandery, Uniform Sir Knights, Sons of St. George, which office he held for two years, and in Aug., 1893, was elected brigadier general of the first Rhode Island Brigade of the same branch of the order. He received his commission from Lieutenant General H. R. Surles of Worcester, Mass., for three years. In January, 1896, he was re-elected to this command, receiving his commission, Feb. 1, from Major General John Walker of Chicago, Ill.
June, 1878, he was married to Ann Worthington, of Ashton-under-Lyne, Lancashire, England, by which union there are seven children: Annie, b. Fairfield, North Manchester, England; Emma, b. Nov. 5, 1881; George, b. July 11, 1884; Alice, b. July 10, 1886; Nellie, b. Aug. 23, 1887; Annie, b. June 28, 1891; Ella, b. Oct. 10, 1893. All the children except the oldest were born in Central Falls.
p. 441 - 442:SMITH, Benjamin Ford, contractor and builder, was born in Glocester, R. I., Oct. 23, 1846, and was educated at the public schools until he attained his 16th year, when he learned the carpenter's trade. At the expiration of his apprenticeship he took a year's course at the old Lapham Institute, North Scituate, R. I. Leaving the Institute in 1866 he worked for many contractors and builders in various parts of Rhode Island and acquired proficiency at his trade. In 1873 he came to Pawtucket and was foreman with Kenyon, Drown & Co., contractors and builders until 1878. Upon the retirement of Mr. Drown in 1878 he was admitted to the firm, which was then conducted under the style of Kenyon, Whitaker & Smith. In 1881 Mr. Kenyon retired, when the firm became Whitaker & Smith, but in 1891 Mr. Smith purchased Mr. Whitaker's interest and has since continued the business alone. After Mr. Kenyon's retirement, Whitaker & Smith built the Slater and Lorraine mills and the Dunnell printworks in Pawtucket, the Nourse mill in Woonsocket, and many other buildings of note. Since Mr. Smith succeeded to the sole ownership of the business he has built among others the St. Joseph's parochial school on Walcott street and the First Methodist church on High street. The building now occupied by Mr. Smith at 29 to 39 Mason street was built by the firm in 1883, and although it is extensive it barely suffices to accommodate the continually increasing business, which has grown to five times its original proportions. Mr. Smith takes contracts all over the New England states and at present he is building two large factories in New Bedford, Mass., namely, the new Whitman and Grinnell mills.
Mr. Smith takes an active part in local affairs and was a member of the school board for three years. He has occupied nearly every office in Washington Lodge, Knights of Pythias, and is a member of the Pawtucket Business Men's Association. He attends the Universalist church on High street. Nov. 11, 1875, he was married to Georgina A. Harris of North Scituate, by which union there is one child, Mabel F., b. June 12, 1878.
The father of Mr. Smith was a contractor and builder in Burrillville, R. I., where he was b. in 1812, and d. there Sept., 1878. He married Caroline Cromwell of Charleston, South Carolina, and they had four children: Hannah S., b. in 1841, in Savannah, Ga., now the wife of H. A. Potter, Pascoag, R. I.; Benjamin F., b. 1846, in Glocester, R. I.; Phoebe A., b. 1848, in Glocester, R. I.; Clifford G., b. 1851, in Burrillville, R. I., d. 1886.
p. 442:SMITH, Edmund Hubert, was born in Burrillville, R. I., May 27, 1849, and is a scion of an old family long conspicuous in that town. His ancestors settled in Burrillville in the vicinity of Tarklin, and also in Smithfield early in the last century. Until he was 17 years old he attended the public schools of his native town, and then for two years went to the Lapham Institute. When he was 19 years of age he began work in a grocery store at Mohegan, R. I. He then went to Harrisville, and was a clerk in a store for seven years. From there he went to Mapleville, where he opened a general store and continued the business for two years, when he sold out, returned to Harrisville and bought out the grocery and general store of Leander Sherman. Four years later he sold out to Wood Bros. In 1889 he came to Pawtucket and purchased a half interest in C. E. Freeman's grocery store. From that time the business was conducted under the name of Freeman & Smith until 1891, when Mr. Smith bought out Mr. Freeman's interest and since then he has operated the business under his own name. The store was at 99 to 101 North Main street until June 1895, when it was removed to the present location, Nos. 122 to 126 Exchange street.
p. 442 - 443:SMITH, Edward, the third child of Edward and Mary (Conlin) Smith, was born in the Country Monaghan, Ireland, May 16, 1842. His father was a well-to-do farmer and tilled the same soil that his ancestors had cultivated for many generations before him. He was famed for his love of good horses, of which he had many fine specimens, was a man of fine physique, standing nearly 6 feet tall in height, broad shouldered and muscular, and was beloved by those who knew him for his sterling honesty and gentle disposition.
Edward attended the national schools of his native country until he attained his 15th year, when he devoted his entire time to his father's farm. At the expiration of two years he turned his steps towards the United States. In 1859 he arrived at Pawtucket. Shortly afterwards he secured employment at East Greenwich, in the engraving department of a calico printworks, where he remained for two years. His ambition to learn a trade was ungratified until 1861, when he started as a currier in Pawtucket, and worked at this business for six years, during which time by frugality he accumulated sufficent capital to enable him to start in business for himself. In 1867 he opened a general grocery store, in connection with a Mr. Tierney, under the firm name of Tierney & Smith, on Water street, Pawtucket. This partnership continued until 1877, when Mr. Smith purchased his partner's interest and has since conducted the business alone, and located at his present store 13 and 15 North Main street. Mr. Smith has conducted several other stores, has been successful, and is considered wealthy. He is vice-president of the American Brewing Co., of Boston, a stockholder in the Meadville Distilling Co., of Pennsylvania, an owner and director in the Alley Brewing Co., of Boston, and has been agent for Frank Jones of Portsmouth, N. H., for the past 24 years.
From his youth up, Mr. Smith has been a politician. He began his active political career even before he left his native land. When he attained his majority in the United States he affiliated with the Democratic party and has ever since acted with it. He has always been a leader, and to his counsel and management much of the success of the Democracy in Pawtucket in the past is due. When Pawtucket became a city he was the first alderman elected from the second ward. He held the office for six consecutive years, 1886 to 1892, and was president of the board in 1890. He was again elected and served during 1894. Mr. Smith was a delegate to the convention which in 1884 nominated Mr. Cleveland for the presidency the first time, for whom he voted at the subsequent election.
July 14, 1863, he was married to Ann Helen Fullen of Pawtucket, and by this union there were four children, all boys: Edward S., b. May 28, 1864, d. Dec. 20, 1895; William F., b. April 2, 1866; John P., b. Feb. 28, 1869; and Joseph H., b. Jan. 11, 1874, d. Feb. 23, 1896. William F. and John P., the two surviving sons, are in business with their father.
p. 443:SMITH, Henry Thurston, fourth child of Peter Carpenter and Ann (Luther) Smith, was born Sept. 10, 1855, at Warren, R. I., where he attended the public schools until he was 13 years old. Upon leaving school he went to work for the Gorham Manufacturing Co., and later engaged in business on his own account. He invented a method of manufacturing seamless wire. In 1890 he organized the Standard Seamless Wire Co., of Central Falls, and became its superintendent, which position he still holds. In politics he is a Republican. He attends the Universalist church. July 18, 1877, he was married to Elmira Jenks Perkins of Providence, by which union there is one child, Harold Perkins, born June 11, 1879.
p. 443:SMITH, John Patrick, the third child of Edward and Ann Helen (Fullen) Smith, was born Feb. 28, 1869, at Pawtucket. He attended the public schools of his native town and completed his education at the Bryant & Stratton Business College, Providence. He is associated in business with his father, and is the active manager of the business.
Mr. Smith belongs to the Court City of Pawtucket, No. 13, Foresters of America, to Lodge No. 14, Providence, Order of Elks, and to various social organizations. Following in the footsteps of his father, he has always manifested a great interest in local politics, and by his energy and ability has demonstrated his right to leadership.
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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