USA > Rhode Island > Providence County > History of Providence County, Rhode Island, Volume I > Part 92
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"Pulling sticks was then very much indulged in by heavy men, and when two of these giants sat down for a contest the fact was heralded all over the grounds, and even women crowded about and took sides and encouraged their favorites. Lifting stiff heels was practiced by the younger men, and a man who could lift one of his own weight was considered very strong.
" The legislature appointed every member of the committee, a constable for the days of the fair with full power to act, and it very soon became known that Rhode Island Cattle Shows were among the best managed in the country, a reputation that has always been sus- tained."
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Hugh B. Bain, born in Kinderhook, N. Y., in 1820, is a son of Bastian Bain and is of Scotch descent. He was educated in the public schools of Columbia county, N. Y. He came to Providence in 1845 and was en- gaged in the wholesale and retail grocery business ten years, then en- gaged in the real estate business. He moved his office to Cranston in 1880. He is a large real estate owner both in Providence and Cranston. He is one of the directors of the Jackson Bank of Provi- dence. He has been twice married. His first wife was Sarah A. Shaw, of Providence, by whom he had one child, Anna. His second wife, Sarah B. Williams, is descended from Roger Williams. They have three children: Hugh W., Edward B. and Lewis H. Mr. Bain is a democrat. He has been town treasurer of Cranston five years, elected the last four times without opposition. He has been chair- man of the school committee for six years.
Squire Baker, born in Cranston in 1812, was a son of Henry Baker and grandson of Thomas Baker. all residents of Cranston, and farmers. He was married in 1842 to Celia, daughter of Varnum Holden of Massachusetts. Her mother was Parmelia A. Warde. Squire Baker had two children: Henry V., born in 1843, a Baptist minister in Ver-
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mont, and Amelia W., born in 1846, wife of W. P. Larkin. Squire Baker died February 23d, 1886.
Israel F. Brayton, born in Scituate in 1806, is a son of Israel and Lydia (Fiske) Brayton, grandson of Freeborn and great-grandson of Francis Brayton. Francis Brayton was born in 1740, settled in Coventry and established Washington Village, then called Brayton's Mills, building a saw and grist mill there. Freeborn was a blacksmith and was a forger in the gun shop located there at that time. Israel F. Brayton is a farmer. For 50 years he carried on a freight and ex- press business between Hope and Providence. He was married in 1827 to Marcelia Ralph. They had three children: David, Lyman and Andrew. Lyman is living. His wife died in 1840 and he was mar- ried again in 1849 to Mary Wilson of Coventry. They have one son, Israel W.
James M. Brayton, born in Scituate in May, 1817, was a son of Israel and Lydia (Fiske) Brayton and grandson of Freeborn and Marcy Brayton. He was married in January, 1844, to Julia A., daughter of Deacon Horace Battey of Scituate. They had four children: Lydia F., Charles A., Frederick E. and Lula E. Mr. Brayton died in January, 1889.
Walter F. Brayton, born in Cranston August 8th, 1857, is a son of Nehemiah and Lydia (Searle) Brayton, and grandson of Lodowick and Betsey Brayton. He was educated in the Friends' School of Provi- dence, and is a farmer. He was married in 1885 to Harriet F. Briggs of Cranston, daughter of W. R. and Hannah G. (Johnson) Briggs. They have one son, Robert M. Mr. Brayton was elected member of the general assembly from Cranston in 1889 and reelected in 1890. He is a republican. Mr. and Mrs. Brayton are members of the Baptist church of Oak Lawn. The former has been superintendent of the Sabbath school and is now deacon of the church.
James A. Brown, born in Smithfield, R. I., July 24th, 1817, is a son of James and grandson of James. Mr. Brown is a farmer. He was married in 1852 to Eliza S. Thornton. She died in 1878. They had four children: Ella A., William L., Abbie A., and Hattie L., all married.
James M. Cornell, born in Warwick, R. I., March 16th, 1843, is a son of Mason Cornell, who is a cousin to Governor Cornell, of New York. James M. came to Cranston with his father in 1848. He has been engaged in agricultural pursuits all his life. He has been as- sessor of taxes, and also school trustee for a number of years. He married Margretta Fiske, of Cranston. They have one son, Mason E. Cornell.
William J. Cross was born in St. Lawrence county, N. Y., in 1833. He removed his family to Providence in 1879. He has been conduc- tor on the N. Y. P. & B. railroad for the past ten years, and has been a railroad man all his life. He was formerly a conductor on the Hart-
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ford, Providence & Fishkill railroad, now known as the New England railroad, and was in their employ 20 years. He came to Auburn in 1884. He married Ellen M. Pierce. of Needham, Mass., in 1854, and they have three children. His son, William P. Cross, is clerk of the United States District court. William J. Cross was elected to the gen- eral assembly in 1888, and to the town council of Cranston in 1890.
James Donahue was born in Ireland in 1836, came to America in 1856, and settled in Cranston, R. I. He married Winnie Giblin in 1857. They have six children: John F., Dominick, James H., William F., Joseph and Peter. Mr. Donahue engaged in the market garden- ing business when he settled in Cranston in 1856. He has about twenty-five acres of land under cultivation, with a hot house 20 by 100 feet and 600 sash. He raises seven acres of tomatoes and about the same of early peas. This hot house is used for lettuce in winter and for plants in the summer. He employs nine men through the sum- mer season.
John Dudley, born in Danville, Vt., in 1829, is a son of John, and grandson of John. He came to Woonsocket, R. I., in 1848, then went to Smithfield, afterward came to Providence and engaged in the jew- elry business. He came to Cranston in 1875. He represented the town of Cranston in the council two years. He was married in 1851 to Adelia M. Harris, of Smithfield, R. I. They have an adopted daugh- ter, Hattie S. She married Henry F. Campbell. Mr. Dudley is a member of the Congregational church of Elmwood, and Mrs. Dudley is a member of the Free-will Baptist church of Auburn.
Rodney F. Dyer, born in Cranston, R. I., in 1810, is a son of Reu- ben, and grandson of John, whose father, Charles, was a son of William and Mary Dyer, who came from England in the " Mayflower." Mary was hanged on the Boston Common for preaching the Quaker doc- trine. Rodney F. Dyer has held the office of state senator from John- ston, and has been in the councils of both Johnston and Cranston. He is a republican. His son, John Dyer, who died January 23d, 1889, was also state senator from Johnston in 1883. Rodney F. Dyer mar- ried, November 16th, 1831, in Cumberland, Barbara Arnold Jillson, daughter of Wiley and Lucina Jillson. They have had eight children, five of whom are living: Sarah E., Lydia B., Rodney F., Jr., Mary P. and Elisha. Mr. Dyer has been a successful man in business, and is a large real estate owner.
Rodney F. Dyer, Jr., born in Cranston in 1841, is a son of Rodney F. and Barbara Dyer. He is engaged in the pork packing trade. The business was established in 1875. His brother, John, was associated with him until his death, January 23d, 1889, since which time he has continued alone. He does an annual business of $250,000. He mar- ried, in 1879, Mary E., daughter of Fenner and Sally Potter. She was born in Johnston, R. I. They have no children. Mr. Dyer is a member of Mount Vernon Lodge of Masons of Providence, of the Chapter and
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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
Commandery. He has been master of the Lodge, and has held sev- eral offices in the Commandery.
George A. Field, born in Plainfield, Conn., July 29th, 1847, is a son of Augustus E. and Barbara S. Field, grandson of Jeremiah, whose father, Thomas, was a son of William, who was born at Fields Point. George A. Field came to Cranston in 1881. He was educated at the common schools. He was elected to the town council of Cranston as a republican in June, 1889. He married Harriet A., daughter of Henry Fenner, of Cranston. They have four children: Carrie B., Georgiana, Henry E. and Minnie F. Mr. and Mrs. Field are members of Union Congregational church of Providence.
Marcellus J. Flanders, born in Maine in 1837, is a son of John and Sophia J. Flanders. His great-grandfather was one of the pioneers of Maine. Until 15 years of age his life was spent upon his father's farm in Maine. The next five years he was employed in a ship yard in Maine. At the age of 20 he came to Rhode Island and for several years he was employed in the states of Rhode Island, Connecticut and Maine. In 1862 he came to Providence and engaged in the grocery and market business for himself, where he continued until he closed out in 1875. He came to Cranston in 1873 to the farm he now owns and occupies. He was married in 1867 to Carrie A. Jones, of Provi- dence, daughter of William and Caroline Jones. They have two chil- dren: Nellie S., born in 1869, and Willie J., born in 1873. Mr. Flanders has held the office of highway commissioner, was three years in the town council of Cranston, and has been for nine consecutive years trustee of his school district.
Chester A. Gallup, born in Cranston in 1868, is a son of Denison E. and Fidelia Gallup. The first ancestor of the Gallup family came to America, from England, in 1630 and settled in Boston. Chester A. Gallup was educated in the public schools of Cranston, and is a gradu- ate of the Bryant & Stratton Business College of Providence. He was the first dealer in coal and wood in Auburn, which business he recently sold, and is now engaged in painting. He is a member of the order of Odd Fellows.
Arthur Given is of Scotch-Irish descent and was born in Wales, Me., February 27th, 1841, on the farm where his parents and grand- parents had lived for many years. He lived and worked on the farm until 18 years of age, when he received as his paternal legacy the three remaining years of his minority. Up to this time he had attended the district school one term each winter and had been to the " Semi- nary " two terms. Alternately he worked out and attended school at Maine State Seminary, Lewiston, Me., where he was fitted for college in 1862, when 21 years of age. He at once enlisted and served nine months in the Twenty-third Maine Regiment of Infantry, commanded by Colonel William Wirt Virgin. In the fall of 1863 he entered Bates College at Lewiston, Me., and graduated first in his class in 1867.
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After serving as principal of the Literary Institution at New Hampton, N. H., for one year and as principal of Maine State Seminary at Lewiston, Me., for two years, he entered the Cobb Divinity School at Lewiston, from which he graduated in 1872. He at once assumed the pastorate of the Essex Street Free Baptist church, Bangor, Me. In March, 1875, he became pastor of the Free Baptist church at Green- ville, R. I. In February, 1881, he assumed pastoral care of the Free Baptist church at Auburn, R. I., and at the same time of the Free Baptist mission at Arlington. A church was organized at the latter place and needed a pastor of its own, so after serving them something over two years Mr. Given resigned and gave his whole time to the Auburn interest. He served this church until December, 1885, and to him they are indebted for the church edifice at the corner of Elm- wood and Park avenues, and for their present prosperity. He resigned the pastorate of the Auburn church to accept the position since held. that of treasurer of the Free Baptist Foreign Mission, Home Mission and Education Societies, with his office at Auburn. He has held several positions of trust and responsibility in the religious denomi- nation with which he is connected. He has for several years been one of the trustees of Bates College, and is one of the thirteen corporators of the Free Baptist Printing Establishment in Boston. In April, 1889, he was elected by the republicans first representative to the general assembly from the town of Cranston. December 22d, 1868, Mr. Given was married to Lura Durgin, of Sanbornton, N. H. They have one surviving child, Helen Louise Given.
Amos L. Greene was a son of Benjamin, grandson of Gideon. He was born in West Greenwich, R. I., in 1833, came to Providence in 1857, and died in 1873. He was married in 1855 to Angeline F., daugh- ter of Nathan O. Scott, of Coventry, R. I. She survives him. They had two children: Frank A. Greene, born in 1863, and Nellie S. Greene, born in 1868. Frank A. is in the Merchants' National Bank, Provi- dence.
George N. Greene, born in Stonington, Conn., in 1825, is a son of George and Mary (Noyes) Greene, and grandson of Isaiah Greene. He came to Providence in 1849 and was in business there until he moved to the farm he now owns near Oak Lawn. He has one of the best paying farms in Cranston, keeps 75 cows and about 25 head of other cattle, and sells hay cut from it, beside 115 acres of improved land. He was married in 1855 to the daughter of Levi Wood, of Provi- dence. They had 11 children, 10 of whom are living.
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WILLIAM HENRY HALL, real estate broker, was born in the city of Providence, R. I., June 12th, 1837. His parents, James S. and Eleanor Ryder (Snow) Hall, raised a family of three children, two daughters and one son, of whom William was the second child. In early life he attended the public schools, and at the age of 14, desiring to learn a trade, he entered the employ of a large cigar manufacturer, and in six
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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
months' time learned the business, and became as expert a workman as any employed in the house with years of experience. The con- finement, incident to the business, impaired his health to such a de- gree, that for two years his life was despaired of by his friends. Un- daunted by ill health, and ambitious of engaging in business on his own account, besides believing that active employment would prove the best method of recovering and retaining' good health, at the age of 17 years, he borrowed from a friend the small capital of $47, and securing credit for the necessary materials, erected a small building, 11 by 20 feet, on the south side of Broad street, next east of Summer street, where he opened a small store for the sale of fruits, confec- tionery and periodicals. When he had completed his building, he had just seven dollars of his borrowed capital left to purchase his first stock with, all of which he placed in the store window to attract cus- tom. But being liberally patronized, and his venture proving success- ful, before long he was able to pay the debt he had incurred in start- ing his new business.
By constant and strict attention to business, and unremitting econ- omy, he soon began in a small way to accumulate money, notwith- standing he was assisting in the support of his parents at that time. As his health improved, he also became more ambitious, and desiring to pursue a mercantile career, entered Scholfield's Commercial Col- lege, from which he received a diploma on April 21st, 1859. Having obtained a position as bookkeeper with Charles W. Atwood, a large lumber dealer of Providence, he sold out his business in the store and rented the building to the purchaser. He remained with Mr. Atwood about four years, and then became bookkeeper for William H. Grat- wick & Co., of Albany, N. Y., a large wholesale lumber house at that time. The Marietta and Vinton County Coal and Oil Company hav- ing offered him the position of secretary and treasurer of that organi- zation, he accepted the situation and returned to Providence early in 1865, and held that position until the business of the company was closed up.
On December 24th, 1866, Mr. Hall was married to Cleora N., daughter of William L. Hopkins, one of the chief promoters and or- ganizers of the society in Providence, known as the Sons of Temper- ance. He was a descendant of Thomas Hopkins, from whom was de- scended Governor Stephen Hopkins of Rhode Island, a signer of the declaration of independence.
In 1866, Mr. Hall began operations as a real estate broker, and his phenomenal success in this line of business is due to his energy, in- tegrity and business ability. But had he been less persistent in the beginning, lie could hardly have succeeded at all, as the business of real estate brokerage at that period was completely monopolized by the influential and long established house of A. B. Dike and Mayor Thomas A. Doyle and associates. By experience obtained in the lum-
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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
ber trade, and by intuition, he was well qualified for the undertaking, and in due time succeeded in establishing for himself an enviable reputation, and he is now regarded as one of the leading brokers in this line of business.
Mr. Hall has been very successful also in acquiring much valuable property. In 1873 he purchased the Joseph Sweet estate in Cranston, now Edgewood, and since then at great expense of time, labor and money, has transformed this once unpretentious homestead and its grounds into one of the most imposing and elegant residences in the town. In 1876 he erected a business block known as Hall's Building on Weybosset street. In December, 1890, he was elected president of the Central Real Estate Company incorporated with an authorized capital of $2,000,000, divided into shares of $100 each, organized for the purpose of bringing within the reach of people of moderate means a class of investments heretofore monopolized by the wealthy, viz., first-class business blocks located on the principal streets in pros- perous and growing cities, from which class of investments so much wealth has been accumulated in this country and handed down from parents to children. Mr. Hall's long experience and great success in the management of real estate influenced the prominent gentlemen connected with the management of this company in choosing him for its first president.
Mr. Hall has been a candidate for various elective offices thirteen times, and was never defeated. He was an active and influential mem- ber of the town council of Cranston for six years; was town treasurer one year, and declined a reelection. He was the first treasurer of the town to inaugurate the system of publishing, in pamphlet form for distribution to the tax-payers, an itemized statement of the annual expenditures on behalf of the town, which was received with much satisfaction. He was a member of the house of representatives of Rhode Island from 1880 to 1884 inclusive, and a member of the sen- ate for the two succeeding years, and was again renominated, but de- clined longer service as senator. He was the first republican senator elected from the town of Cranston. While in the assembly, he served as chairman of the joint committee on accounts and claims, and as second on the senate committee on corporations. While in both houses of the assembly, he established a reputation as an excellent debater of governmental and economic questions.
Zachariah Heywood, born in Accrington, Lancashire county, Eng- land, in 1805, came to America in 1831, and settled in Johnston, R. I., working as a calico printer. He removed to Cranston in 1884. He was married in 1839 to Alice, daughter of John Waterman of Smith- field. They have no children. Mrs. Heywood's mother was a Hoyle. Her father came to this country from England.
Orlando S. Hill, born in Foster, R. 1., August 10th, 1845, is a son of Colonel William and Miriam (Place) Hill. He came to Cranston
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in 1866. He learned the trade of carpenter and millwright. He was elected justice of the peace in 1878 and held that office four years. He was elected to the council in June, 1889. He was married in 1882 to Ann M., daughter of George W. and Ann M. Whitehead, of Crans- ton. They have no children. Mr. Hill is a democrat, although his name for councilman was on both tickets. He is a Mason and an Odd Fellow.
Peleg G. Kenyon, born in Richmond, R. I., in 1832, is a son of Thomas E., who is still living in East Greenwich, grandson of Solo- mon, and great-grandson of George. Peleg G. Kenyon came to Cranston in 1876. Previous to this he was engaged in steamboating upon the Western rivers. He was elected a member of the town council of Cranston in 1884, and is now one of the three commissioners of assessment for laying out roads and streets under the betterment act. He has been twice married; first to Sarah A. Spencer of East Greenwich in 1857. They had three children: Katie B., Henry G. and Thomas G. Mrs. Kenyon died in 1863. He married in 1874 Jane G. Davenporte of Louisville, Kentucky. They have no children.
Jonathan King, son of Henry King, was born in Cranston in 1824, and is a successful farmer near Howard, Cranston, He married Abby M. Baker of Warwick, and they have two children: Henry W. and Gilbert E.
Lewis S. Knight, born in Warwick, R. I., May 16th, 1822, is a son of Layton Knight and Betsey Stafford. He owns one of the finest farms in Cranston. He has been twice married; first to Nancy Nicholas in 1849. They have three children living: Edward N., Albert T. and George O. Mrs. Knight died in 1871 and he married in 1871 Waity Ann Brown, daughter of Samuel and Mary (Maguire) Brown. Her mother was a Coggswell, daughter of General Coggswell. A sister of Mrs. Knight, Miss Susan A. Brown, lives with them.
Robert Lawton, born in Newport, R. I., February 12th, 1819, is the eighth son of Robert and Sarah (Anthony) Lawton, grandson of Robert, and great-grandson of Robert, who came to Rhode Island from England at an early date, with his two brothers. Mr. Lawton came to Cranston from Newport at an early age with his elder brother, the late Honorable Elisha A. Lawton. In 1843 he moved to his present farm on the Plainfield pike road. By his patient and untiring industry and excellent management, the farm has been improved in extent and productiveness. He has been a member of the Rhode Is- land Society for the Encouragement of Domestic Industry for 30 years. He has a thorough love for farm life and enters into its duties with the spirit of an enthusiast, devoting his thought and labors to the one purpose of his life. Every improvement in agriculture, or its implements, finds in him a willing investigator, and if approved by his judgment, it is adopted by him. Mr. Lawton married May 12th, 1845, Sarah A. Chace. They had one daughter, Mrs. John E. Bowen
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of Olneyville, R. I. Mrs. Sarah A. Lawton died in 1849. He married for his second wife Susan A. Jordan. They had nochildren, and Mrs. Lawton died August 1st, 1874. He married April 10th, 1877, Carrie E., only daughter of the late Thomas Hazard Watson, of South Kings- ton, R. I. They have two daughters: Frances W., born September 11th, 1881, and Sarah E., born June 26th, 1884.
Stephen Mathewson, born in Foster, R. I., in 1822, is a son of Wil- liam and grandson of William Mathewson. He is a self-made man and by his industry has accumulated a fine property. IIe came to Cranston in 1838. He first started the omnibus business between Cranston Print Works and Providence when he was 23 years old, and followed this business for 20 years, when he sold out to the horse rail- road company; then he followed farming until 1877, when he estab- lished the ice business. He has ice houses with a capacity for 15,000 tons and does an annual business of $20,000.
Walter H. Matteson, born in Coventry, R. I., in 1857, came to Provi- dence in 1883. He is the son of Henry and Angeline (Rouse) Matte- son, and grandson of Asher Matteson, all of Coventry, R. I. Walter H. is the eldest of three children, one of whom is dead. He was em- ployed by the New York & New England Railroad Company as station agent at Hop River, Conn., from 1879 till 1882, and was then trans- ferred by same company to Andover, Conn. He has been in the ser- vice of the New York, Providence & Boston Railroad Company since 1883, first in Providence as clerk for the general freight agent, and came to Auburn in 1885 as station agent of that place. He was mar- ried in 1879 to Eliza J., daughter of James and Elizabeth Hope, of Fall River. They have two children: Minnie A., born in 1880, and Susie E., born in 1882.
Sylvester K. Merrill, born in Phenix in 1840, is a son of Sylvester K. and Alma R. (Tillinghast) Merrill, of Kent county, R. I. They were old and representative families of that county. Sylvester K., Jr., came to Providence when he was but 16 years old and engaged in the jewelry business with the firm of C. W. B. Bennett, and remained with them until he was of age, then he worked at the trade until 1872, when he went into the business for himself in Providence, and con- tinued until 1888, at which time he moved the factory to Pawtuxet. The firm consists of Sylvester K. Merrill and Robert E. Budlong. The latter entered the firm July 1st, 1884. They are engaged in the manu- facture of gents' lockets and charms, etc., and do business amounting to $100,000 annually. They use only first quality rolled plate in manu- facturing these goods. Sylvester married Harriet G. Codding, of Providence, R. I. They have one daughter, Edith, who married Mr. Robert E. Budlong.
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