USA > Rhode Island > Providence County > History of Providence County, Rhode Island, Volume I > Part 87
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The tribute of praise or commendation bestowed upon distinguished men in public life is the expression of the heart and judgment of the people, prompted by the beating pulse of a reciprocal interest. The benefactor becomes the beneficiary of the people's favor and honor. This reciprocity of interest strengthens confidence, opens up a wider field for usefulness, gives an added zest to human effort, and enables all of the forces to be utilized in the highest degree for the public wel- fare. It is upon lines parallel to these in principle that a just and proper recognition should be awarded to all men, who though in pri- vate life, have preëminently distinguished themselves by great or ex- traordinary achievement. The biography, or history of men, is of real value only when considered in the spirit of a just desire to profit by the lesson their example teaches. Its relation to men still in the greatest activities of their life, and in the very zenith of their power and influence, is especially significant. In the sense of their import- ant relation to the great industrial interests which contribute so much to the public advantage, they are public men; hence it follows that whatever tends to the establishment of a reciprocity of interest and good will between the people and such men of the people, who, through their genius and great ability, have become possessed of vast wealth and power, must inevitably result in the largest measure to the public and the best good of the people.
It is with this feeling and a recognition of the principles herein suggested, that I desire to pay a just tribute of respect to Benjamin B. and Robert Knight, whose names and power, now so widely known and recognized, are henceforth to become a great and controlling in- fluence in the industrial and financial interests of the state of Rhode Island. G. M.
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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
HERBERT W. LADD .- Among the younger men of Rhode Island, none is more widely or favorably known than the subject of this sketch. In the numerous public positions which he has filled, he has discharged the duties in a manner highly creditable to himself, and to the fullest satisfaction of those who called him to service.
Herbert Warren Ladd, son of Warren and Lucy (Kingman) Ladd, was born in New Bedford, Mass., October 15th, 1843. He was edu- cated in the public schools of New Bedford, and was graduated from the high school of that city in 1860. Shortly after his graduation he entered a wholesale dry goods house, where he remained a year, when, in 1861, he accepted a position on the New Bedford Mercury. His abilities were at once recognized, and he soon became one of the most efficient reporters and correspondents of that paper. As a writer he was clear, accurate and graphic, and his letters to the Mercury from various points in the South and West during the war for the suppres- sion of the rebellion were of exceptional merit and interest. The first Sunday newspaper published in New England, outside of Boston, was an extra Mercury issued by him to announce the battle of Freder- icksburg.
In 1864 he re-entered the dry goods business in Boston, with White, Brown & Co., then the largest importers of foreign dress goods in the United States. In the spring of 1871 he came to Providence and founded the extensive dry goods house now widely known by the name of the H. W. Ladd Company, of which he is president, and with which he has been prominently identified a score of years. Here his ability as an organizer first manifested itself, the business of this large retail establishment being conducted with as much system and attention to details as that of any railroad or steamship corporation in the country.
Although engrossed with a large and constantly increasing busi- ness, he has always taken a lively interest in public affairs. He was the founder, and for three years president, of the Providence Com- mercial Club, an organization which embraces in its membership the representative men of the city and state, and the reputation of which is widely extended by reason of the large number of distinguished men from all parts of the country who have attended its gatherings and spoken on topics which were engaging public attention. He was also one of the organizers of the Congregational Club, one of the most flourishing institutions of its kind in New England. For two years he was vice-president of the Providence Board of Trade. As presi- dent of the Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, he devised the present systematic and efficient organization of that philanthropic association. When he assumed the presidency, the institution was literally " without house or home," the children en- trusted to its care being provided for as best they could be under the circumstances. But, notwithstanding the pressure of his own busi-
Hubert wo Lood,
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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
ness, he remained at the head of the society until, by his persistency of purpose and untiring energy, it was enabled to procure a spacious house in a pleasant location, making for the little ones a home of which the city and state may well be proud. No worthy charity is ever brought to his attention without meeting a quick and generous response.
Numerous other organizations, among which may be mentioned the Young Men's Christian Association of Providence, of which he is a member, and to which he is a large contributor, the Providence Press Club, and the Rhode Island Choral Association, have experienced the benefit of his personal enthusiasm and liberal public spirit. He is also a prominent member of the Hope Club and other social organi- zations, and a director in the Atlantic National Bank of Providence. Though frequently invited to the same position in larger financial in- stitutions in the city, he has never been able to give to them the time which he felt that their importance demanded. In the movement for enlarged and better railway terminal facilities for the city of Provi- dence he has always taken a deep interest, and the plans adopted are very nearly identical with those advocated by him in 1884.
Although repeatedly urged, it was not until the spring of 1889 that he consented to become a candidate for any office in the gift of the people. His uniform reply was: " I am a business man, and not trained in the school of politics." But that year, in response to the earnest solicitations of the republicans of Rhode Island, he allowed his name to be used as a candidate for governor, and was unanimously nominated in the convention. The republicans had hardly an even chance for electing their ticket. There was no choice of governor by the people, but he was elected by the general assembly. To the office of chief magistrate of the state he brought the same energy and pub- lic spirit which had characterized him in his private business. There was no portion of the state's affairs with which he did not at once make himself intelligently familiar; and without any disparagement to his long line of honorable predecessors, it may be truthfully stated that Rhode Island has never had a more progressive governor, one who better understood its wants and made provision for meeting them. He inaugurated public improvements which, when fully com- pleted, will reflect great credit upon his sagacity and foresight, and entitle him to be forever remembered with gratitude by his fellow- citizens.
In his annual message to the general assembly he called attention to the necessity of a new and better state house in Providence. Ap- pended to the message were engravings of the modern capitol build- ings of twelve different states, thus strikingly illustrating Rhode Island's poverty in this respect. A commission, of which Governor Ladd was made chairman, was immediately appointed to recommend a suitable site and obtain plans and estimates for a new building
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IIISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
Another matter in which Governor Ladd became deeply interested was the establishment of a state home for disabled and indigent vet- erans of the war of the rebellion. In Governor Ladd the old soldier has always had a firm friend, and as chairman of a commission ap- pointed by the general assembly. he was largely instrumental in securing for this purpose, as a gift from the town of Bristol, the Greene farm comprising upward of one hundred acres. The formal transfer of the land by the president of the town council to Governor Ladd as the representative of the state, was made a notable event in local history. The formality was observed with great ceremony and according to ancient custom, a handful of sod, as a token representing the metes and bounds, being given and received as emblematic of the gift from town to state.
The state militia also had cause for gratitude to Governor Ladd, for to him is due the credit of obtaining the new uniforms which were so much needed. Moreover, a visit to Washington was the occasion of a personal interview with the secretary of war in the interests of the state militia, the result of which was a valuable addi- tion to the arms of the Rhode Island troops.
The condition of the roads in the state also received attention in the governor's message, and suggestions were made as to how they might be improved. After referring to the great necessity which existed for an intelligent reform in road making and road keeping, and the advantage to the state of a uniform road law, he remarked: " To keep well built roads in good repair, under intelligent super- vision and single authority, is not costly: a poor road is costly under all circumstances." As the result of calling attention to this subject, in many parts of the state an improvement in the management of the highways is already perceptible. Many other matters of a practical nature received attention in this message, and that they commended themselves to the legislature is evidenced by the fact that, notwith- standing the house of representatives was democratic. 2,000 extra copies of the message were ordered printed by that body.
During the summer of 1889 Governor Ladd resided at Newport, where he had the honor of entertaining President Harrison and other distinguished guests. Later, ex-President Cleveland was a guest at "Maycroft." He also entertained Admiral Brown de Colstoun and other officers of the French flagship "Arathusa," who, with other naval and military officers stationed at Newport, as well as some of its most distinguished citizens, visited Providence, where a banquet was served, after which they inspected some of the important manufacturing establishments in the city.
As an illustration of the watchfulness of Rhode Island's interests which characterized Governor Ladd's administration, it may be men- tioned that while at Newport attention was called by him to the fact that at Narragansett Pier an opportunity was furnished for making
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one of the finest ports on the Atlantic coast, enabling European steamers to land passengers in New York several hours quicker than by the present ocean route.
Being deeply interested in the location of the World's Fair in 1893, he invited the business men and representatives of business associa- tions from all parts of the state to a conference in Providence in the fall of 1889. An interesting discussion of the subject was had, and representatives from New York, Chicago and Washington were pres- ent, who advocated the claims of their respective cities. The agricul- tural interests of the state received a good deal of attention from Governor Ladd, and the Farmers' Institute meetings during his term proved a great success. The experiment station at Kingston also had reason to appreciate his assistance. During his term Governor Ladd assisted in laying the corner-stone of the new building of the Provi- dence Young Men's Christian Association.
The crowning act of Governor Ladd's official life occurred in con- nection with the 121st annual commencement of Brown University, he being present as the state's representative. At the conclusion of the alumni dinner, and before the more formal post-prandial exercises began, President Ezekiel G. Robinson announced to the large assembly that he was authorized to state that His Excellency had decided to present to the university an astronomical observatory and its full equipment. This announcement was received with the wildest enthu- siasm. Never was there a more gratifying surprise to the students, alumni and friends of the university than this munificent gift of Governor Ladd, and for which all Rhode Islanders and the sons of Brown, wherever located, justly felt a deep sense of gratitude to the public spirited donor. Others have followed his noble example of generosity, and the university has received a fresh impetus therefrom.
In the spring of 1890 Governor Ladd's administration of the state's affairs received emphatic endorsement by his unanimous re-nomina- tion, but, owing to dissensions and disagreements as to party policy, for which he was in no way responsible, the republicans suffered defeat.
Governor Ladd married. May 25th, 1870, Emma Frances, daughter of Caleb Gerald and Elizabeth Holmes Burrows, of Providence. Of six children, only two are living: Elizabeth Burrows and Hope. Mrs. Ladd died just as her husband entered upon his duties as governor.
HENRY LIPPITT was born in Providence, R. I., October 9th, 1818. He is descended from John Lippitt, who came to Rhode Island in 1638, two years after its settlement by Roger Williams, and was the first of the name who arrived in this country. In 1647 he was one of the committee appointed to organize the colony under the parliamen- tary charter. The ancestors of the subject of this sketch were among the pioneer cotton manufacturers of Rhode Island. In November, 1809, Christopher and Charles Lippitt, Benjamin Aborn, George Jack-
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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
son and Amasa and William H. Mason organized the Lippitt Manu- facturing Company, with a capital of $40,000. Christopher Lippitt was the first agent of the company. Their mill, which was erected in 1807, in what is now the village of Centreville, in Warwick, was the third in the state. The yarns were first woven by hand looms into cloth, but in 1820 power looms were introduced into their fac- tory.
Warren Lippitt, son of Charles and father of Henry, was in early life a sea captain, but subsequently entered into business in Provi- dence as a cotton merchant, having also a branch house in Savannah, Ga. Henry received a good English education at the academy in Kingston, R. I. Shortly after leaving the academy he entered into mercantile business, and from that time to the present he has been actively identified with the commercial and manufacturing interests of the state. He is also connected with a number of the leading financial institutions in Providence, as well as various corporations outside of manufacturing. He is president of the Silver Springs Bleachery and Dyeing Company, and his eldest son, Charles Warren Lippitt is treasurer and agent; and is also president of the Lippitt Woolen Company, and has been since its organization in 1865.
Mr. Lippitt has always taken a lively interest in public affairs, and been intimately connected with every enterprise calculated to en- hance the prosperity and general welfare of the people. Some 15 to 18 years ago, seeing that the city was sadly in need of better hotel accommodations and a first-class opera house, he took hold of the matter in earnest and with a determination to succeed. After several years of active and persistent effort the result was the present beautiful opera house and the magnificent Narragansett Ilotel, which are indeed an honor to the city. It is but just to say that the accom- plishment of these two enterprises is due more to the individual exer- tion of Mr. Lippitt than to that of any other citizen. He was treasurer and president of the hotel corporation until it was sold to Mr. Charles Fletcher, and has been president of the opera house association since its formation.
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 Artil- lery in 1840, and in 1842 was elected lieutenant-colonel of the corps, after serving in the various subordinate positions, and commanded a portion of the company armed and drilled as infantry through the " Dorr War " in 1842. In 1861, on the outbreak of the war of the re- bellion, he was appointed by the governor of the state enrollment commissioner for Rhode Island, and it was in consequence of his ener- getic action that the quotas assigned to Rhode Island were so promptly filled. He was governor of the state in 1875 and 1876, serving through both terms with distinguished ability, and took an active part in
Henry Spett
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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
honoring Rhode Island at the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia in 1876.
His high character for financial ability and integrity is signally illustrated by the fact, that at no time during the past fifty years has his annual business ever amounted to less than $500,000, and fre- quently it has exceeded $4,000,000; and during that long period, not- withstanding the many financial disturbances that have occurred, he has never failed, nor even been obliged to ask for an extension of time on his commercial paper. He is universally esteemed in busi- ness circles as an energetic, frank, outspoken man who can be always relied upon.
He married, December 16th, 1845, Mary Ann Balch, daughter of Doctor Joseph Balch. They have had eleven children, six of whom, three sons and three daughters, are now living.
ISAAC M. POTTER, son of John and Mary (Arnold) Potter, was born in Scituate, R. I., August 23d, 1833. He is the youngest of eight chil- dren, six of whom are now living. His father was a descendant in the seventh generation of Robert Potter, who came from England in 1628, settling in Salem, Mass., but later removed to Rhode Island, where he became one of its distinguished founders. Colonel Potter's maternal ancestor in America was William Arnold, who settled in New England about the year 1636, and soon afterward removed to Providence, R. I., being an associate of Roger Williams, and one of the thirteen original grantees of "Pawtuxet Purchase." The ancestry of William Arnold may be traced back to the eleventh century, when one of the Arnolds, king of the Britons, reigned and built Abergavenny and its castle. The descendants of William are very numerous, and we find from the " Potter Genealogy " of their making matrimonial alliances with the Williamses and Watermans.
Colonel Potter was educated in the public schools of his native town and at Lapham Institute, North Scituate, and also took a business course at Scholfield's Commercial College, Providence. When 19 years of age he was apprenticed to a manufacturing jeweler in Providence, with whom he remained about four years, gaining there the first prac- tical knowledge of the business which has been his life occupation. Having earned enough to start in business for himself, in 1856, Colonel Potter associated with Albert W. Delnah in the manufacture of jew- elry. Prosperity attended this enterprise, and they continued together until the spring of 1861, when the civil war commenced. Business was then stopped, and both partners enlisted in the service of their country. Mr. Potter at once enlisted as a private in Company C, First Regiment, Rhode Island Volunteers, with which he proceeded to Washington, D. C., and took part in the first battle of Bull Run, sery- ing faithfully with his regiment until it was mustered out of service. The following winter he received a commission from Governor Sprague to raise a company for the Third Regiment of Rhode Island Heavy
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Artillery; but before the company was completed the urgent call for troops took him south. While there he was in active service at the capture of Fort Pulaski, Ga. Later he was ordered to join the expedi- tion against Charleston. "They landed on James island June 9th, 1862, and on the 16th of the same month, at the battle of Secession- ville, one of the hottest engagements of the war, Lieutenant Potter was severely wounded in the right wrist, while leading his men against the enemy's works. After the battle he received a sick leave and re- turned home." His wound was quite serious and required the best of surgical skill to save his hand, only the partial use of which he has since regained. He resigned his commission as first lieutenant, and having partially recovered from his wound, accepted, November 20th, 1862, an appointment as captain in the Fifth Regiment, Rhode Island Infantry. This regiment was then stationed at Newbern, N. C., but Captain Potter did not join them until February, 1863, having in the meantime been engaged in recruiting in the state. Soon after arriv- ing at Newbern he was stricken with yellow fever and narrowly es- caped death.
In April, 1863, General John J. Foster; commanding the department of North Carolina, went to Little Washington to inspect the garrison and defenses, and was besieged by the enemy. Colonel Sisson volun- teered the services of the Fifth Regiment to go to his relief. They embarked on board the "Escort," a common side-wheel steamer, taking a quantity of ammunition which was placed on the lower deck. The officers and men not on duty were ordered below so as to insure their safety as far as possible. Captain Potter was placed in command of a picked company of sharpshooters stationed on the main deck. The pilot steamed safely through the passage in the blockade, grazing only onee on the piles. They passed three formidable batteries at short range, and arrived in Little Washington without losing a man. If a shot or shell had struck the boiler or ammunition undoubtedly most of those aboard would have been lost. The " Escort " returned to Newbern the next day with General Foster on board. In passing the batteries the pilot was shot through the head and killed. Perhaps the running of the blockade for the relief of Little Washington ranks as one of the most hazardous and brilliant achievements that occurred during the war. The 44th Massachusetts, one of the besieged regi- ments, feeling deeply the services rendered, presented the Fifth with a beautiful silk flag. Captain Potter, with a few others, received special mention by Colonel Sisson in his official report, for the able performance of duty; and the general assembly at its May session in 1863 passed a resolution of thanks to Colonel Sisson and the officers and men of the regiment for the gallantry and heroism displayed in the siege for the relief of General Foster.
Captain Potter remained with his regiment until the close of the war. February 27th. 1865, he was appointed major and soon afterward
I. M. Potter
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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
brevetted lieutenant-colonel. When peace was declared, he again took up his former business, associating himself with Fred W. Symonds in Providence. They continued successfully in partnership for three years, when Mr. Symonds sold his interest to John M. Buf- finton, and the firm style has since been Potter & Buffinton. Their specialty is solid gold goods and they rank among the best manufac- turers of the state. Colonel Potter was chosen a representative to the general assembly of Rhode Island in 1875, and reelected in 1876, serving the first year on the committee on militia, and the second year as chairman of the joint standing committee on executive com- munications. He is a member of the G. A. R. of Rhode Island and was a delegate to the national encampment held at Dayton, O., in 1880. He was also a delegate in 1880 to the national republican con- vention, and one of the presidential electors from Rhode Island in 1884. He has been for several years a member of the board of trade, also member of the What Cheer Lodge since 1860. Colonel Potter married October 28th, 1875, Josephine Elizabeth, daughter of William H. and Alphileda (Lyon) Arnold of Providence. They have had one child, Gladys A., born December 4th, 1883.
A strict business man, yet generous of nature, genial in companion- ship, and commanding of presence are Colonel Potter's chief charac- teristics. He has won the high respect of the citizens of Providence, and though he holds an enviable position socially his main enjoyment is his home and family.
FITZ-JAMES RICE was born in Barre, Mass., July 14th, 1814, and is the son of Micajah and Lucy (Bannister) Rice. During his infancy his parents removed to Framingham, Mass., his father's native town. The progenitor of the Rice family in America was Edmund Rice, who lived in Berkhamstead, Hertfordshire, England, and in 1638 came to this country with his family and settled in Sudbury, Mass. Phineas Rice, the paternal grandfather of Fitz-James, was a lieutenant in the continental army during the revolutionary war. When the English parliament, previous to the revolution, closed the port of Boston to commerce and navigation, he rendered the country a great service in transporting, by means of ox teams, valuable merchandise from New York to Boston.
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