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Gc 974.5 C23r v.3 1225167
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01146 6742
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2019
https://archive.org/details/rhodeislandthree03carr
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yours truly Les N. Carlis.
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RHODE ISLAND Three Centuries of Democracy
By
CHARLES CARROLL, A. B., LL. B., A. M., Ph. D., LL. D.
State Director of Vocational Education; Professor of Law and Government and Rhode Island Education, Rhode Island College of Education; Managing Editor of Quarterly Journal of Rhode Island Institute of Instruction. Author of School Law of Rhode Island, Public Education in Rhode Island, Rhode Island State Song, Etc.
VOLUME III
LEWIS HISTORICAL PUBLISHING COMPANY, INC. NEW YORK 1932
COPYRIGHT LEWIS HISTORICAL PUBLISHING COMPANY, INC.
1932
1225167
RHODE ISLAND THREE CENTURIES OF DEMOCRACY
R. I .- 1
& Bleattwell
RHODE ISLAND
CHARLES PERKINS COTTRELL-In keeping with the traditions of a long established and notable New England family fully alive to its duties in the way of business and civic leader- ship has been the career of Charles Perkins Cot- trell, of Westerly, Rhode Island. He is presi- dent of C. B. Cottrell & Sons' Company, famous for the manufacture of printing presses and ap- pliances over a period of seventy-five years. He also occupies executive positions with other en- terprises and with community organizations.
The Cottrell family has been prominent in Rhode Island for two and a half centuries, orig- inating with Nicholas Cottrell, listed as a free inhabitant of Newport in 1638. He was one of the company purchasing the Misquamicut Pur- chase from the Indians in 1661, a tract which be- came Westerly and two other townships. Nich- olas Cottrell gave his land to his son (II) Nicholas, who settled there, and served as a deputy to the Colonial Assembly in 1670 and again in 1696. He was also a volunteer in the Narragansett Indian War in 1675. His son (III) John Cottrell, had a son (IV) John Cottrell, known as major, who had a son (V) Elias, whose son was (VI) Leb- beus. The son of Lebbeus Cottrell, seventh gen- eration of the family in Rhode Island, was Cal- vert B. Cottrell, father of the subject of this record. He was born in Westerly August 10, 1821, and died June 12, 1893. In fifteen years of employment with Lavaley, Lanphear & Company, manufacturers of cotton machinery, Mr. Cottrell displayed great inventive ability in devising labor- saving tools. In 1855 he formed a partnership with Nathan Babcock, and they launched a busi- ness of their own at Westerly known as Cottrell and Babcock. Manufacturing machinery in gen- eral at the start, they soon came to specialize in printing machinery, and by virtue of Mr. Cot- trell's inventions revolutionized the industry. When Mr. Babcock retired in 1880, the concern became a strictly family business, with Mr. Cot- trell and his sons owning and operating it. Today every cylinder press built in this country and every copy of American presses built in foreign countries contain features originally patented by
Mr. Cottrell, an inventor of the first order. Cot- trell presses have come to be important and de- pendable factors in most of the magazines and newspapers in the country today. In 1893, the enterprise was incorporated under the name of C. B. Cottrell & Sons Company with a capitaliza- tion of $800,000. Calvert B. Cottrell married, May 4, 1849, Lydia Whitman Perkins, who died in 1896. She was the daughter of Elisha and Nancy (Russell) Perkins, a descendant of John Perkins who lived at Ipswich in 1632. They were the parents of six children: I. Edgar Henry. 2. Charles Perkins Cottrell, the subject of this re- view. 3. Calvert Byron, Jr. 4. Arthur Maxson Cottrell. (See separate sketches of the brothers.) 5. Harriet Elizabeth Cottrell, who makes her home in Westerly. 6. Lydia Anngenette Cottrell, now deceased.
Charles Perkins Cottrell, son of Calvert Byron and Lydia W. (Perkins) Cottrell, was born March 9, 1858, in Westerly, Rhode Island. When he was nineteen years old, on completing his schooling, he became associated with his father's plant, and has maintained that connection un- broken throughout his life. He was admitted to the firm in 1880 and played an active part in its development during its most prosperous years. When his father died, Mr. Cottrell was made treasurer, and now he is president. He has been personally in charge of the great works and has been of especial vlaue to the company because of his inheritance of his father's inventive genius. Mr. Cottrell is still perfecting the products man- ufactured in his plant. Not printing processes alone, but the tools used in their manufacture, have been improved through his genius. Becom- ing manager of the business at twenty-one, he has really been at the helm for half a century.
Mr. Cottrell is also chairman of the board of the Washington Trust Company, a director of the Rhode Island Hospital Trust Company, and a trustee of the Memorial Library of Westerly. He is a Republican, but not interested in accepting office. In the Misquamicut Club he is a charter member.
Charles Perkins Cottrell married, May 26,
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RHODE ISLAND -- THREE CENTURIES OF DEMOCRACY
1886, at Stonington, Connecticut, Harriet Mor- gan, daughter of John Avery and Susan (Pendle- ton) Morgan. Mrs. Cottrell died October 18, 1913. They had four children: I. Calvert Byron Cottrell, 3d, born December 4, 1888, who was educated at Fay School and then graduated from St. Mark's School, both at Southboro, Massachu- setts, graduating later from the Sheffield Scientific School of Yale, with the class of 1911. Since then he has been actively engaged in the management of the plant of C. B. Cottrell & Sons' Company, being now secretary and plant manager. He mar- ried Mabel Billings of New Haven and has two daughters, Harriet and Barbara Cottrell. 2. Ann- genette, wife of Rev. John M. Gorton, of New Bedford, Massachusetts, and they are the par- ents of four children: John, William, Annge- nette and Calvert Byron. 3. Margaret, who mar- ried Frederick Buffum, Jr., of Westerly, and has three children: Frederick, Jr., Robert and Charles Cottrell Buffum. 4. Charles Perkins, Jr., born May II, 1899, who was educated at Fay School and St. Mark's School, both at Southboro, Massa- chusetts, and then was graduated from Sheffield Scientific School of Yale, with the class of 1921, being now associated with C. B. Cottrell & Sons' Company as vice-president and production man- ager. The family resides in Westerly and takes a leading part in progressive movements and all forward-looking activities.
EDGAR HENRY COTTRELL-From his school days Edgar Henry Cottrell, of Westerly, was associated with his father in the manufacture of printing presses, and after the death of the senior and when the duties of president of the Cottrell Company fell to him he displayed such business talent that the enterprise was much ex- panded and its product acquired a reputation sec- ond to none in the country.
He was born at Phenix, Rhode Island, Feb- ruary 17, 1850, a son of Calvert Byron and Lydia W. (Perkins) Cottrell. After attaining his edu- cation in the local schools he entered the employ of the Cottrell Company and in his occupation exhibited a talent for mastery of the many de- tails of the industry. Shortly after the admission to the firm of himself and his brothers, Charles Perkins and Calvert Byron Cottrell, Jr., the Westerly plant was doubled in capacity and by the year 1892 the expansion had reached such size that incorporation was deemed advisable and
this was accomplished, the capitalization being $800,000. The company maintains an office in New York City and one in Chicago and manu- factures at Westerly. In addition to many other interests Mr. Cottrell was a director of the Wash- ington Trust Company of Westerly. His death occurred March 7, 1922.
Edgar Henry Cottrell married, February 7, 1907, Leone Balfe, a native of Canada. Their children, all born in New York City, were: I. Nicholas, born December 26, 1907. 2. Leone, born April 13, 1910. 3. Elizabeth, born October 18, IgII. 4. Edgar Henry, Jr., born June 14, 1913.
It is safe to record that the industrial execu- tives in Rhode Island numbered among them no one who was more intimately acquainted with the work over which he ruled, nor one who was more highly respected by his fellow-industrialists or by the army of workers he headed. Under his leadership the Cottrell company retained its high position in the manufacturing field and gave him a reputation as one of the most alert and suc- cessful business men of the country. His private life was one that commanded the respect of all and his friends were legion, for he had a most engaging personality and graciousness of manner. He was a fine and valuable citizen of Rhode Island, who made for himself an enduring fame.
CALVERT BYRON COTTRELL, JR .- Long associated with his father and brothers in the manufacture of printing presses at Westerly, Calvert Byron Cottrell, Jr., became secretary of the Cottrell Company and retained that office until his death. The enterprise has long been one of the leading industries of Rhode Island and is one of the most important of its character in the United States. The growth of the business con- tinued after the death of the founder, Calvert Byron Cottrell the elder, and was incorporated in 1892 with a capitalization of $800,000. Offices are maintained in New York City and Chicago, Illi- nois, with the plant at Westerly. Cottrell presses, containing many important patented features, have been the means of great progress in cylinder press work and are widely and favorably known throughout the United States and in foreign countries.
Representing the eighth generation of his fam- ily in America, Calvert Byron Cottrell, Jr., was born at Westerly, Rhode Island, August 12, 1860, the third child of Calvert Byron and Lydia W.
Charles T Cottrell
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RHODE ISLAND-THREE CENTURIES OF DEMOCRACY
(Perkins) Cottrell. He was graduated from the Westerly High School in 1878 and at once en- tered into business association with his father and brothers, attaining the secretaryship of the company upon its incorporation in 1892. He con- tributed much to the success of the enterprise and in addition to his activities therein as secre- tary was manager of its administrative depart- ment in Westerly. His death occurred in Wes- terly, Rhode Island, April 8, 1901.
Calvert Byron Cottrell, Jr., married, November 24, 1891, Agnes Clark, daughter of the late Wil- liam Clark, of Newark, New Jersey. Their chil- dren are: I. Donald Clark, who married Lois Page, of Summit, New Jersey, and they are the parents of three children: Donald Clark, Jr., Janet Page, and Mary Lee Cottrell. 2. Kathryn, who married Randolph Chandler, of New York City. 3. Mary Stuart, who married Ridley Watts, Jr., of New York City, and they are the parents of one son, Ridley Watts, 3d.
Mr. Cottrell was a worthy representative of a family that for generations has been one of the great industrial forces of New England. His mind was keen, his executive ability high and his character and personality assets that made him a host of loyal friends. He was popular with his business associates and admired by the army of workers in the great plant where he exercised a forceful and successful influence. He was an able and valuable citizen of Rhode Island and added much to the commercial progress of the State, leaving a name that will ever be a proud heritage of his descendants.
ARTHUR MAXSON COTTRELL-A na- tive and lifelong resident of Westerly, Washing- ton County, Mr. Cottrell has been for many years one of the leading business men of his native town. As an executive officer of the large manu facturing concern founded by his father and as a director in one of the leading financial institutions, he holds, of course, a prominent position in the business world of Rhode Island. He is also very active in civic affairs and at all times is ready and willing to support any undertaking promis- ing to advance the welfare of the community, its people and its institutions.
Arthur Maxson Cottrell was born December 8, 1871, at Westerly, Washington County, a son of Calvert B. and Lydia Whitman (Perkins) Cottrell. His father was a native of Rhode
Island and the founder of the C. B. Cottrell & Sons' Company, one of the leading manufactur- ing concerns of Westerly. Mr. Cottrell's mother was born in Connecticut. He himself received his education in the public grammar and high schools of Westerly and then attended Brown University, Providence, from which he was gradu- ated with the degree of Bachelor of Philosophy in 1897. Ever since then he has been associated with his father in the business founded by the latter and today he is vice-president and treas- urer of C. B. Cottrell & Sons' Company. He is also a director of the Washington Trust Com- pany of Westerly, a trustee of the Memorial Library Association of Westerly, president of the Westerly Hospital, and a charter member of the Misquamicut Club. In politics he is a supporter of the Republican party.
Mr. Cottrell married, December 1, 1903, Kate Virginia Hunkins, a native of Galena, Illinois. Mrs. Cottrell died in 1916. Mr. and Mrs. Cot- trell had four children: I. Kate Virginia Cottrell, born December 20, 1904. 2. Arthur Maxson Cot- trell, Jr., born May 8, 1906, who married Violet Harkness Tangeman and who is engaged in the banking business in New York City. They are the parents of one son, John Trowbridge Cot- trell. 3. John Trowbridge Cottrell, born August 29, 1908, now deceased. 4. Philip Whitman Cot- trell, born January 25, 1913.
LeBARON BRADFORD COLT-Statesman, jurist, and brilliant lawyer, LeBaron Bradford Colt achieved in his lifetime a career of the greatest honor and success. He was twice elected to the United States Senate from Rhode Island by the suffrages of the people. He gave his brilliant tal- ents unselfishly for the public good, and through the constructive influences of a life of service con- tributed much to the progress of his State and Nation.
Senator Colt was born at Dedham, Massachu- setts, on June 25, 1846, a son of Christopher and Theodora Goujand (DeWolf) Colt, and member both paternally and maternally of distinguished old New England families. He prepared for college at Williston Seminary, and in 1864 entered Yale. From this institution he was graduated in 1868, and having now determined upon a legal career, he took up the study of law at Columbia Univer- sity in New York City. Here he received the de- gree of Bachelor of Laws in 1870. Following the
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RHODE ISLAND-THREE CENTURIES OF DEMOCRACY
old New England tradition for sons of gentlemen who choose to enter the professions, Senator Colt first spent a year in European travel. Upon his return to America he then began the practice of law at Chicago, where his activities were to center until 1875. In that year he came to Rhode Island, took up his residence in Bristol and the active prac- tice of his profession at Providence. Within a period of a few years he rose to a position of pre- eminence at the Rhode Island bar.
From 1876 to 1881 Senator Colt was associated in partnership with the Hon. Francis Colwell, later city solicitor of Providence. In 1879 he was elected from Bristol to the Rhode Island Legisla- ture, and in March, 1881, before the expiration of his term, he was appointed United States District Judge for Rhode Island by President Garfield.
This appointment met with wide popular ap- proval. It was considered a fitting recognition of Senator Colt's distinguished position among the members of his profession in Rhode Island, and he assumed his new office with the confidence of the entire State. This confidence was more than justified by his brilliant judicial career which con- tinued for a period of thirty-two years. On July 6, 1884, Senator Colt was appointed by President Arthur United States Circuit Judge for the First Judicial Circuit, comprising the states of Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. This office he held until his election to the United States Senate in 1913. Senator Colt pos- sessed a thorough mastery of all phases of legal theory and practice. His acute and penetrating mind easily clarified the difficulties of the most complex cases, and his decisions, rendered with such thorough impartiality, were models of cogent reasoning and gentlemanly restraint.
In 1912 Mr. Colt was elected to the United States Senate, and in 1913 he took his seat. At the age of sixty-six, in the full ripeness of his mature powers, he entered into the discharge of his duties with undiminished energy. He was immediately appointed to the Committee on the Judiciary, and served as a member of that body until his death. He was also a member of the Civil Service Com- mittee, and, after his reelection in 1919, a member of the Committee on Immigration, of which he was chairman for many years. Thus he was called upon to study and consider the very vexing immi- gration problems, and his sympathy for and interest in the unfortunate condition of many immigrants to America were responsible for some of the best features of our present law. He was one of the very few Senators who protested and voted against
the discourteous treatment of Japan in the passage of the exclusion act. Senator Colt seldom felt called upon to take the floor of the Senate, but when he did his colleagues listened with the defer- ence due his fineness and power of intellect, his deep sincerity and honorable character. The wis- dem of his words was enhanced by the eloquence of his speech which could not fail to leave with his auditors a deep and lasting impression.
On December 17, 1873, LeBaron Bradford Colt married Mary Louise Ledyard, daughter of Guy Carlton and Elizabeth (Morris) Ledyard, of Chi- cago. Of this marriage six children were born: I. Theodora L., who married Edwin A. Barrows of Providence. 2. LeBaron C., born February 26, 1877, died May 26, 1916. 3. Guy Pomeroy, born Decem- ber 4, 1878, died November 17, 1885. 4. Mary Louise, born July 25, 1880, married Harold J. Gross (q. v.) of Providence. 5. Elizabeth L., born October 29, 1887, married Andrew Weeks Anthony, of Boston. 6. Beatrice, born on June 1, 1891, died November 18, 1914.
Senator Colt died on August 18, 1924. Word of his passing brought deep sorrow throughout the country, and many of those whose privilege it was to know him paid eloquent tribute to his memory. The words of several Senatorial colleagues are quoted :
Said Senator Gerry :
We do well to pay high tribute to the memory of this Statesman. Deep gratification there must be to his family and friends that he deservedly achieved such a high place and made such a re- markable record in the public service to which his life and attainments had been so unsparingly de- voted from young manhood. It can but be a solace to them always. His memory will enkindle in others a patriotic devotion to country, and his service will ever be cherished by our citizens, who always find satisfaction in the fidelity shown by public servants.
Senator Walsh said of him:
He measured up to the full height of the ideal United States Senator, and left a record that re- dounds to the honor of the State that commis- sioned him as such.
Senator Sterling said:
I know that I am now sharing with all my col- leagues and those who at any time served with Senator Colt here, the fond recollection of his unfailing courtesy, his fine attainments, his exalted character, and the truth of principles for which he stood. The example and inspiration which these afford is left to his colleagues and to his fellow- citizens, a priceless heritage.
1
American i ate
La Baron B. lerch
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RHODE ISLAND-THREE CENTURIES OF DEMOCRACY
In the words of Senator Metcalf :
LeBaron Bradford Colt faithfully served his State and Nation. His rise was by dint of merit. As scholar, lawyer, State legislator, Federal judge, and Senator, his record bespeaks the char- acter and ability of the man. The recital of his virtues gives inspiration to others to "carry on" in a life of unselfish, loyal service. One by one great men who have guided our nation pass into the great beyond, and we are prone to say that the stars by which we have been guided have sunk beneath the horizon. Let us say rather that they have become fixed stars, whose deathless light shall never fail us in the days to come.
COL. HAROLD JUDSON GROSS-A fig- ure of distinguished importance in the life of Rhode Island for many years, Colonel Harold Judson Gross was one of the most prominent of the State's business men, and a public servant whose efforts were very valuable in the civic de- velopment of the Commonwealth. His business activities extended beyond Rhode Island's borders, but his interest and his affection always centered about the State of his birth.
Mr. Gross was born at Providence, on April 15, 1866, son of J. Mason and Elizabeth H. (Judson) Gross. His father was a manufacturer of this city, and the son was educated in Providence public schools. Following graduation from the English High School, he began his active business career in the insurance field. This was in 1887. In the space of four years he had mastered the various details connected with insurance operations, and in 1891, with his brother, George L. Gross, he founded the firm of G. L. and H. J. Gross, general insur- ance agents. The passing years brought prosperity and a remarkable growth to this enterprise. Mr. Gross and his brother demonstrated really remark- able business talents in the direction of its affairs. As conditions dictated they expanded both the extent and the scope of their interests, entering into real estate activities which they carried on in con- nection with insurance work. It was not long be- fore this company became one of the largest real estate and insurance enterprises in New England. Eventually a new territory was opened. Mr. Gross and his brother established an office in New York City, and organized a corporation in that State in 1905 under the name of Gross and Gross. Mr. Gross divided his time between the two offices in later years, and in New York City was also a director of the Maiden Lane Realty Company.
Meanwhile, however, his career of public service
was well under way. He never permitted his own business interests to submerge his larger duties to the State as a whole, and at all times he stood ready to give of his talents, his fine energies and his substance to further the public welfare. While still a young man he became a member of the Rhode Island First Light Infantry, rising to the rank of colonel in that organization. Thus he derived the title by which he was generally known. Colonel Gross also served on the staff of Gover- nor William Gregory.
The World War brought new opportunities for service. Colonel Gross was active in all the com- munity drives, and was associated with all the wartime enterprises, serving on numerous com- mittees. In 1918 he was chairman of the United War Work Campaign which raised more money than had been raised in any drive in Providence, with the exception of the Liberty Loan. Colonel Gross also took a special interest in the Salvation Army and was chairman of the campaign which raised money for the erection of the Salvation Army Headquarters Building at Summer and Westminster streets, Providence.
In the sphere of politics and governmental af- fairs, Colonel Gross filled many important posi- tions. After the war he was nominated for the office of Lieutenant-Governor on the Republican ticket and was elected on November 2, 1920. In 1922 he became a candidate for Governor, being defeated in the elections by William S. Flynn. Colonel Gross was appointed to the State House Commission in 1925 and served with distinction as a member of that body until the time of his death. He was always an active Republican, standing high in councils of his party, and contributing much to its success in Rhode Island elections. After serv- ing for three years as a member of the Republican State Central Committee, he was elected chairman of that body in 1905. The year previously he had been elected a member of the Providence Board of Police Commissioners for a term of three years. Later he was elected and served a second term of this length.
In addition to his business connections already mentioned, Colonel Gross was connected with a number of important financial and industrial enter- prises. His really remarkable business talents were widely recognized and his advice was frequently consulted by very large interests. Thus he was a member of the board of trustees and a member of the executive board of the Industrial Trust Company, and served also on the building com- mittee. He was vice-president and a director of
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RHODE ISLAND-THREE CENTURIES OF DEMOCRACY
the Union Trust Company; a director of the Rhode Island Safe Deposit Company, the United Electric Railways Company, and the Title Guar- antee Company. He was also a director of the Industrial Holdings, Incorporated, a company which had charge of the construction of the In- dustrial Trust Building in Providence, and a mem- ber of the Providence Real Estate Exchange. Fraternally, Colonel Gross was affiliated with the Free and Accepted Masons, and in this great order was a member of Adelphi Lodge. He was Past Master of the Lodge, having served as its head in 1902 and 1904. Colonel Gross was also a mem- ber of the board of trustees of the Homeopathic Hospital. He was a member of the Rhode Island Historical Association, the Squantum Association, and of several clubs, including the Hope Club, the Providence Art Club, and the Turks' Head Club. He was a member of Saint Martin's Episcopal Church.
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