USA > Rhode Island > Providence County > Providence > Governors for three hundred years, 1638-1959; Rhode Island and Providence Plantations > Part 22
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He was elected Governor of Rhode Island, by the Republican party, in 1866, and re-elected in 1867 and 1868. In 1874 he was chosen United States Senator, as a Repub- lican, succeeding William Sprague (Independent). and re-elected June 8, 1880. General Burnside has visited Europe five times. In 1870 he was the medium of communication between the German and French lines, in and around Paris. in the interests of reconcilia- tion. On the 27th of April, 1852, while a Lieutenant at Fort Adams, Newport, Rhode Island, he married Mary Richmond Bishop, daughter of Nathaniel and Fanny Bishop, of Providence, who was a descendant, on her mother's side, of Roger Williams. She died in Providence, March 9, 1876.
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HON. AMBROSE E. BURNSIDE 1866-1869 By James S. Lincoln Northeast Corridor Second Floor of State House
Swan Point Cemetery Providence, R. I.
GOVERNORS OF RHODE ISLAND
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SETH PADELFORD
Governor: 1869 to 1873.
Born: October 3, 1807 in Taunton, Massachusetts.
Died: August 26, 1878 in Providence, R. I.
Buried: Providence, R. I. Swan Point Cemetery.
Lot 1, Central Group River Avenue.
PADELFORD, HON. SETH, GOVERNOR of Rhode Island from 1869 to 1873, son of John and Mary (Heath) Padelford, was born in Taunton, Massachusetts, October 3, 1807. He was a descendant of Jonathan Padelford, who came to this country from Eng- land in early colonial times. One of the family, John, a graduate of Yale College, was a surgeon in the American army during the Revolution, and died at Saint Eustatia, a pris- oner of war. Seth Padelford received a common-school education at Taunton, and while yet a lad went to Providence, where he immediately found employment in the wholesale grocery business. Soon afterwards he engaged in the business on his own account. He carried it on successfully for a period of nearly forty years, when he retired with a compe- tence, and with a good reputation as a careful financier and a public-spirited citizen.
His habits of life, and his intelligent interest in the affairs of the community caused him to be regarded as one who possessed qualities of character which would make him a faithful public servant. He was therefore frequently called upon to fill positions of trust and responsibility. He was elected a member of the City Council of Providence, in 1837, and, also, in the same year, a member of the School Committee. He filled these offices for four years, during which time he performed an important part in the work of reor- ganizing and grading the Public Schools, and of building the required schoolhouses. He was again a member of the City Council in the years 1851-52, and a member of the School Committee in the years 1851-53. From 1864 to 1873. inclusive, he was once more a mem- ber of the School Committee. and did efficient work upon its Executive Committee. In 1852-53 he was a representative of the city in the lower branch of the legislature. In 1863 he was elected Lieutenant-Governor of Rhode Island, and held the office for two years. In 1868 he was a Presidential Elector, and helped to cast the vote of the State for General Grant. In 1869 he was elected Governor. and continued to hold the office by repeated elections till 1873, when he declined longer to be a candidate for the office. Immediately upon his retirement he was elected one of the Commissioners of the Sinking Fund of the city, and continued to serve in that capacity until January. 1877, when he resigned the position, and declined all further public honors.
His success in business naturally brought him into intimate relations with the various interests of the city. His counsel was sought in furtherance of enterprises represented by the banks, insurance companies, and manufacturing corporations. In March, 1861, he was elected a Director. and immediately thereafter, President of the Bank of North Amer- ica, and held the office till the time of his death. He also served as a member of other boards of direction. He was a warm advocate of the anti-slavery and temperance reforms, and continued an earnest supporter of these movements until his death. He was chairman of a committee to call a meeting of the citizens of Providence, March 7, 1854, to protest against the introduction of slavery into the free territory of Nebraska. He was one of the
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Vice-Presidents of a meeting held June 7, 1856, to express the sentiments of the people regarding the assault made, May 22d, upon Charles Sumner by Preston S. Brooks. He was also for several years a Vice-President of the New England Emigrant Aid Society, and was a generous contributor to its funds. After the emancipation of the slaves he was Pres- ident of the Rhode Island Association for the Benefit of the Freedmen. His moral and political influence was always exerted in opposition to slavery.
In the work of education, charity, and religion, Governor Padelford was prominent and effective. As Governor, he was Chairman of the State Board of Education, and also Chairman of the Trustees of the State Normal School. He was especially efficient in the re-establishment of the Normal School, and both in and out of office was very ardently in- terested in its success. He contributed freely and generously to Antioch College, Ohio, and to Brown University. He was a member of the Rhode Island Historical Society from 1857. He was a Director of the Providence Athenaeum in 1858-62. His interest in the education of the people was also manifested in the provision which he made by will for the establishment of a public library in case his surviving heirs should die without issue. As an active member of the Providence Aid Society, as a Trustee of the Benefit Street Ministry at large, from its beginning, in 1841, until 1875, and President of that corpora- tion for five years, from 1870 to 1875, as ex-officio a Trustee, while Governor, and in 1877-78 an Auditor of the Rhode Island Hospital, and as one of the Vice-Presidents of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, he showed his readiness to engage in works of benevolence and mercy, and his efficiency in their direction.
Very early in life he became a member of a Christian church. He was one of the original founders of the Westminster Congregational (Unitarian) Society, in January, 1828; was its Treasurer in 1831-32; and its President for seven years, from June, 1860 to October, 1867. For five years, from 1869, he was President of the Channing Con- ference. He was also a Vice-President of the National Unitarian Conference from 1870 till the time of his death. For four years, from 1866, a Vice-President of the American Unitarian Association, and for several years a Vice-President of the Rhode Island Bible Society.
He spent nearly a year with his family in Europe, from July, 1857, to June, 1858. On his return he made a valuable gift to the Providence Athenaeum of three works on art, in thirteen volumes, relating to the history of painting and sculpture in Italy. He indulged his taste for art by the purchase of several paintings of merit and costly pieces in marble and bronze.
He was twice married; first, to Miss Louisa Rhodes, October 19, 1834, and the sec- ond time to Mrs. Mary (Barton) Pierce, October 2, 1845. He died August 26, 1878, after a sickness of a few weeks' duration. His widow, and two children of the former mar- riage-Miss Maria Louisa Padelford and Mrs. Emily Rhodes Remington-with a grand- son, Seth Padelford Remington, survived him. There was no issue of the second mar- riage.
Governor Padelford won his way from obscurity to prominence and honor, and from poverty to wealth, by the exercise of prudence, industry, and perseverance. In every position which he filled he endeavored faithfully, conscientiously, and according to his best judgment, to perform every duty which belonged to it, even to the slighest detail. This was especially manifest in his administration as Governor of the State. He had,
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HON. SETH PADELFORD 1869-1873 By James S. Lincoln Northeast Corridor Second Floor of State House
Swan Point Cemetery Providence, R. I.
what is too often wanting in official life, the sense of personal responsibility. He ac- cepted the burdens, as well as the honors, of the offices which he held, and bore them with rare fidelity. He was a man of great persistence of purpose, of unwearied industry. of deep convictions, and good impulses. His faith in Divine Providence in all the cir- cumstances of life was unshaken, and from the beginning to the end he endeavored to il- lustrate with constancy the principles of religion and duty which he had cherished in his early days.
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THREE HUNDRED YEARS OF
DEDICATION at
ROGER WILLIAMS MEMORIAL PROSPECT TERRACE PROVIDENCE, R. I. July 4, 1954
NAMES OF GUESTS PRESENT AT THE DEDICATION OF ROGER WILLIAMS MEMORIAL Left to Right: Mrs. C. W. Anthony, Mrs. Harry Bedson, Clifford W. Brown, Jr., Mr. Charles R. Wood, Principal Speaker-Representing Gov. Roberts, Mrs. Clifford W. Brown, Miss Lois Steere, Miss Clara P. Dyer, Mr. Harry Bedson, Mrs. Harry Beesley, Mr. Harry Beesley, Mrs. Winthrop Saunders, Mr. I. Percy Roe.
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HENRY HOWARD
Governor: 1873 to 1875.
Born: April 2, 1826 in Cranston, Rhode Island. Died: September 22, 1905 in Harris, Rhode Island. Buried: Phoenix, R. I. Greenwood Cemetery.
HOWARD, HON. HENRY, EX-GOVERNOR of Rhode Island was born in Cranston, Rhode Island, April 2, 1826. His father, Jesse Howard, for many years a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, was for a quarter of a century treasurer of the People's Savings Bank in Providence, and one of the most influential public men in the State. Governor Howard was educated mainly at the academies of Fruit Hill, Seekonk, and Smithville, but finished his education at the University Grammar School in Providence, where he prepared for college. His health becoming seriously impaired, he was obliged to aban- don study and enter upon the more active duties of mercantile life. Recovering his health, he entered the law office of ex-Governor William W. Hoppin, and upon being ad- mitted to the bar, followed the practice of the law in conjunction with Governor Hop- pin, and then with the late Hon. Thomas A. Jencks and Hon. Jerome B. Kimball until he returned to mercantile life, in 1858. Since that time he had been engaged mainly in managing the business of the Harris Manufacturing Compny, of which he has been pres- ident for many years.
He was elected a Representative to the General Assembly from his adopted town, Coventry, in 1857, and again in 1858, but resigned during that year. He was a delegate to the National Republican Conventions of 1856 and 1876, and was chosen a Presiden- tial Elector in 1872. He was elected Governor of the State in 1873, on the Republican ticket, by a very large majority of the votes cast, re-elected without any opposing nom- ination the next year, but declined a nomination the ensuing year. He filled the ex- ecutive chair with marked ability. He was designated by the President of the United States as one of the Assistant Commissioners to the Industrial Exposition at Paris, in 1878, and made an extended and detailed report to the Government of the exhibit of textiles from all countries. He was one of the directors of the National Bank of North America.
Governor Howard was not only an eminent manufacturer, but a man of fine in- tellectual attainment, and had superior talent as a writer and lecturer. He published nu- merous letters of travel, and had been a frequent contributor to the columns of the Prov- idence Journal and other newspapers, both of prose articles and poetry. He has also displayed considerable ingenuity in the application of physics to manufactures.
He was married, September 30, 1851, to Catherine G. Harris, of Coventry, Rhode Island, daughter of the late Governor Elisha Harris. His children were: Jessie H., mar- ried to Edward C. Bucklin, treasurer of the Harris Manufacturing Company; Elisha H., local agent of the mills of the Harris Manufacturing Company; and Charles T., a grad- uate of Brown University.
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HON. HENRY HOWARD 1873-1875 By Hugo Breul Northeast Corridor Second Floor of State House
Greenwood Cemetery Phenix, R. I.
GOVERNORS OF RHODE ISLAND
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HENRY LIPPITT
Governor: 1875 to 1877.
War Service: Lt. Colonel, Dorr War.
Boru: October 9, 1818 in Providence, Rhode Island.
Died: June 5, 1891 in Providence, Rhode Island.
Buried: Providence, R. I. Swan Point Cemetery. Group S-South Avenue and Ridge Way.
LIPPITT, HON. HENRY, EX-GOVERNOR of Rhode Island, son of Warren and Eliza (Seamans) Lippitt, was born in Providence, October 9, 1818. He is descended from John Lippitt, who came to Rhode Island in 1638, two years after its settlement by Roger Wil- liams, and was the first person of that name who came to America. In 1647, when Par- liament granted a charter to organize the colony, he was appointed one of the commis- sion.
Leaving Providence in 1655, he removed to Warwick, Rhode Island, purchased a tract of land and engaged in farming. Christopher, grandson of John Lippitt, was the father of Christopher and Charles Lippitt, the pioneer manufacturers of Rhode Island. The former commanded a Rhode Island Regiment in the American Revolution, and won distinction; was Brigadier-General of the Rhode Island militia in 1780; and at the close of the war engaged in farming, his brother Charles, who was also an officer in the Revolu- tion, being a Providence merchant.
November 9, 1809, Christopher and Charles Lippitt, Benjamin Aborn, George Jack- son, Amasa Mason, and William Mason organized the Lippitt Manufacturing Compa- ny, with $40.000 capital. Christopher Lippitt was the first agent of the company; their cotton mill, the third in the State, was built in 1807; the yarns were first woven by hand looms into cloth, but in 1820 weaving machinery was introduced into the factory. War- ren Lippitt, son of Charles Lippitt, and father of Henry Lippitt, was formerly a sea-cap- tain, but subsequently became a cotton merchant in Providence, Rhode Island, and Sa- vannah, Georgia. At the death of his father, in 1840, he was chosen treasurer of the Lip- pitt Manufacturing Company, and held that position until his death, in 1850.
Governor Lippitt received a good English education at the Academy at Kingston, Rhode Island. Soon after he went to Warren, Rhode Island, and was employed for four years as clerk for Burr & Smith. In November, 1835, he returned to Providence, and for three years served as bookkeeper for Josiah Chapin & Co., at that time the largest cotton merchants in that city. In 1838 he became associated with Edward Walcott in the com- mission business, under the firm-name of Walcott & Lippitt, Amory Chapin being a spe- cial partner. They dealt principally in bale cotton and print cloths. In 1840 Mr. Wal- cott retired from the firm, and Mr. Chapin became an active partner, and was associated with Mr. Lippitt until his death. in 1846, the firm style being Amory Chapin & Co.
At this time a younger brother. Robert L. Lippitt, born in Savannah, Ga., and formerly a clerk for Walcott & Lippitt, and also for Amory Chapin & Co., became a
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HON. HENRY LIPPITT 1875-1877 By John N. Arnold Northeast Corridor Second Floor of State House
Swan Point Cemetery Providence, R. I.
GOVERNORS OF RHODE ISLAND
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partner with Mr. Lippitt. In 1848, Henry and Robert L. Lippitt. with their father and other Providence capitalists, purchased the "Tiffany Mill," at Danielsonville, Connec- ticut, from Comfort, Tiffany, the father of Charles L. Tiffany, or Tiffany & Co., of New York city. The property they purchased consisted of three hundred acres of land, the mill, with a capacity of 3000 spindles, and an extensive unimproved water-power. The next year, 1849, the business was organized as the Quinnebaug Manufacturing Company, and a new mill of 10.000 spindles erected. In 1850, on the death of Warren Lippitt, Amos D. and Moses B. Lockwood bought a controlling interest in the property; the new mill was fitted up with machinery for the manufacture of delaines, and the company re- organized as the Quinnebaug Company.
About this time Henry and Robert L. Lippitt hired the "Coddington Mill," at New- port, Rhode Island, and manufactured cotton goods until 1853, when that mill was burned. In 1854, having sold their stock in the Quinnebaug Company, they purchased an interest in the "Social and Harrison Mills," at Woonsocket, Rhode Island. Robert L. Lippitt died June 29, 1858, and Henry immediately closed up the commission business, and devoted his attention entirely to manufacturing. He purchased his brother's in- terest in the "Social Manufacturing Company," which company. in 1860, increased their buildings and machinery to a capacity of 40,000 spindles. In 1874 the mill was burned, and a brick mill of 60,000 spindles was erected.
About this time the "Globe Mill," at Woonsocket, Rhode Island, was purchased. which was built, in 1873, by George C. Ballou & Son. This mill was stone structure, of 44,000 spindles, making 104,000 spindles in the Social and Globe Mills. The capital of the company, originally limited to $300,000, was, in January, 1870, increased by act of legislature to $600,000, and in January, 1874, to $1,000.000. Governor Lippitt was Treas- urer of the company from its beginning, and owned the controlling interest in the stock. The first President was Orren A., son of Dexter Ballou, and on his resignation, in 1875, Charles Nourse, who has been resident agent since 1855, was elected President, and held both positions. In 1859, Mr. Charles H. Merriman became partner with Mr. Lippitt. the firm-name being H. Lippitt & Co. From 1862 to 1866 Mr. Lippitt was a large owner in the Manville Company, the mills at Lincoln, Rhode Island. In 1865, H. Lippitt & Co., with others owning the Harrison Mill. at Woonsocket, Rhode Island, changed the cotton machinery, which was sold, and put in a full equipment of woolen machinery, with twenty sets of cards, and began to manufacture fancy cashmeres and overcoatings, em- ploying about five hundred operatives. The factory was known as the Lippitt Woolen Company. Governor Lippitt President. C. H. Merriman, Treasurer, and the capital $400 .- 000. Governor Lippitt organized the Silver Spring Bleaching and Dyeing Company, and obtained a charter in May, 1864. the capital being $200,000, which by act of legislature, in January, 1873, was increased to $500,000. He was the President of this company, and his eldest son, Charles Warren Lippitt, Treasurer and Agent, having full management of the works. This company bought the old Silver Spring Bleachery, together with eighty acres of land.
Governor Lippitt was President of the Rhode Island National Bank; Rhode Island Institution for Savings; Lippitt Woolen Company; Silver Springs Bleaching and Dyeing Company; Wheaton Hotel Company. which owned the Narragansett Hotel, Provi- dence Opera House Association; Dyer Street Land Company; Colonial Warehouse and
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Dry Dock Company, of South America; and Treasurer of the Social Manufacturing Company. He was one of the organizers and the first Vice-President of the Providence Board of Trade, and its second President for three years. He was active in reorganizing the Providence Marine Corps of Artillery in 1840, and in 1842; was elected Lieutenant- Colonel of the corps, after serving in the different subordinate offices, and commanded a portion of the company, then armed and drilled as infantry, through the "Dorr War," in 1842. He was in command of a section three nights at the Arsenal, when it was attacked by the Dorr forces; commanded the leading section, May 18, 1842, at the attack on the Dorr forces on Atwell's Avenue, and again, in June, at the capture of the fort of Acote's Hill, being the third man to enter the fort.
During the Southern Rebellion he was Commissioner for the County of Providence on the enrolling and drafting of men, under the call of President Lincoln, in 1862, for three hundred thousand men. He was Governor of Rhode Island in 1875 and 1876, and took an active part in honoring the State at the Centennial Exposition at Philadelphia, in 1876.
He married, December, 16, 1845, Mary Ann, eldest daughter of Dr. Joseph Balch. Her oldest brother, Joseph P. Balch, was Major of the First Rhode Island Regiment. under Colonel Burnside; fought at the first battle of Bull Run, July 21, 1861, and served with the regiment until it was discharged. Governor Lippitt had eleven children: Charles Warren, Henry Merriman, Joseph Balch, George Earnest, Jeanie, Frederick, Henry Frederick, Mary Balch, Robert Lincoln, Abby Francis, and Alfred. Colonel Charles Warren Lippitt was Chief of Staff to the Governor in 1875 and 1876; was Vice-President of the Board of Trade, and Treasurer of the Silver Spring Bleaching and Dyeing Company.
GOVERNORS OF RHODE ISLAND
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le
CHARLES COLLINS VAN ZANDT
Governor: 1877 to 1880.
Born: August 10th, 1830 in Newport, Rhode Island.
Died: June 4th, 1894 in Brookline, Massachusetts.
Buried: Newport, Rhode Island. Island Cemetery.
VAN ZANDT, HON. CHARLES COLLINS, EX-GOVERNOR of Rhode Island, son of Edward and Lydia Bradford (Collins) Van Zandt, was born in Newport, Rhode Island. August 10, 1830. His father was a native of New York, where he spent most of his life, and died in Brooklyn, in May. 1868. His grandfather, Wynant Van Zandt, descended from one of the oldest of the Dutch families that settled in New York, the progenitor having come over in the first ship that brought colonists. His grandmother was Maria Underhill. of Westchester County. She lived to the advanced age of about ninety years. Her grandfather held a grant, from the King, of the whole of Westchester County, under the title of "I ord Mayor of Westchester." His mother, is the daughter of Hon. Charles Collins, of Bristol. Rhode Island, for nine years Lieutenant-Governor of Rhode Island. She was granddaughter of Hon. William Bradford, of Mount Hope, a lineal descendant of Governor William Bradford of Plymouth Colony. Hon. William Bradford was Speaker of the House of Representatives of Rhode Island, Lieutenant-Governor of the State, and a Senator to Congress from March, 1793, to October 1797.
Charles Collins Van Zandt was brought up under the particular care of his grand- father Collins, and after passing through the schools of Newport and a select school in Shrewsbury, New Jersey, entered Trinity College, Connecticut, graduating in the class of 1851. One of his classmates was Charles J. Hoadley, State Librarian of Connecticut. After pursuing a course of law study with Hon. Thomas C. Perkins, District Attorney of Hart- ford, Connecticut, and with Hon. Alfred Bosworth, of Warren, Rhode Island, after- wards Judge of the Supreme Court of the State. he was admitted to the bar in March. 1853, and commenced the practice of his profession in Newport, where he has contin- ued to reside. His strong literary tastes, love of books, and oratorical gifts fitted him to be an advocate rather than office counselor. He contributed largely to many periodicals.
In 1855 he was elected City Solicitor of Newport, and filled that position for many years. In the same year he was chosen Clerk of the House of Representatives of the State. and served for two years in that office. In 1857 he was elected a member of the House of Representatives, from Newport. and served the State in the Assembly for many years with signal success, being chosen Speaker of the House from 1858 to 1859, and from 1866 to 1869, and again in 1871 to 1873. He was elected to the State Senate, from Newport, from 1873 to 1874, and was chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. From 1873 to 1875 he was the Lieutenant-Governor of the State, and also served as President of the Senate. In 1877 he was elected Governor, and after serving for three years, declined a re-election. In the presidential campaign of 1864, with Governor Morton, of Indiana. and Governor Brough, of Ohio, he spoke throughout the Middle States in favor of the re-election of President Lincoln. He has also taken a prominent part in other political
(Continued on Page 291)
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HON. CHARLES C. VAN ZANDT 1877-1880 Northeast Corridor Second Floor of State House
1877-1888 by James Sullivan Lincoln 1811- 1888. This portrait was copied by Wilfred I. Duphiney from the original which hangs in the Newport Historical Society.
CHARLES COLLING VAN ZAND I
DIIn JUNE $ 1004 KUVERNUR OF THUMB. 13LAN FROM 1878 10. 1880-
ALSO OF
ARAZELIA " WIFE OF.
CHARLES ÇOLLINS VAN ZANDT
AND DAUGHTER OF
ALBERT U GREENE BURN FEBRUARY 28 1828 DIED MARCH 12 1839
Island Cemetery Newport, R. I.
GOVERNORS OF RHODE ISLAND
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ALFRED HENRY LITTLEFIELD
Governor: 1880 to 1883.
War Service: Colonel, War of the Rebellion.
Born: April 2, 1829 in Scituate, Rhode Island.
Died: December 21, 1893 in Central Falls, Rhode Island.
Buried: Providence, R. I. Swan Point Cemetery. Lot 4, Group 287 Spruce Avenue.
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