USA > Rhode Island > Providence County > History of Providence County, Rhode Island > Part 13
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George Arnold, son of Israel, was born March 21st, 1788, and died February 8th, 1863. He married Lydia Fisher, and their children were: Stella Ann, who married Louis Lapham; James A .; Lydia, mar- ried George Talbot; Julia Maria; George Taft, deceased; Olney, de- ceased, and Waldo Fisher, died in infancy. His second wife was Sarah Ann Brown and their children were: Frances Eliza and Louisa Amelia,
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who died in infancy. James A., son of George, was born September 1st, 1816, and married Bertha Marchant. Their children are William Taft and Sarah Frances, wife of Charles Long. James A. is a resi- dent of Pawtucket.
Israel Arnold, son of Israel, was born in 1792, and departed this life November 2d, 1864. He married Abbie Brown and their children were: Elizabeth, who died young; Susan, deceased, married David Angell, of Cumberland; Abby Elizabeth, married for her first husband George Weeden, and is now the wife of Alexander Spence, of Brooklyn, N. Y .; Phebe, married first Levi Fitts, second Harvey Anabel, and is now the wife of Emor Cole, of East Greenwich, R. I .; Louisa, a maiden lady, resides in Lincoln; Jane, wife of John Dermot, lives in Oakland, Cal .; James, died young; Charlotte, married William F. Bibby, of Lincoln; Frederic N., resides in Dayton, Ohio; Albert, a resident of Boston, Mass .; Richard, died leaving no issue; Israel, and George Aborn, died young. Israel, son of Israel, was born November 22d, 1840, married Anna C. Hardenburgh, and has the following children: Chapin T., Amy L. and Israel Garfield. He is a resident of Lincoln.
Jenckes Arnold, son of Israel, was born October 2d, 1803, and mar- ried Mary LeCraw. Their children are: Benjamin Harrison, Joseph Jenckes and Edmund Bowdoin. Jenckes departed this life October 11th, 1887. His widow survives him in her 84th year. Benjamin and Edmund are bachelors, and reside on the old homestead in Lincoln. Joseph Jenckes, son of Jenckes, was born October 14th, 1844, and mar- ried Mary Alice Whittle. His children are: William E., Frederic W. and Ernest J. He is engaged in the baking business at Saylesville, R. I.
Samuel Arnold, son of Joseph, son of Eleazer, son of Thomas, was born July 12th, 1736, and married Elizabeth Arnold. Their children were: Benjamin, John, Abigail, Anna, Richard (the three last died single), Samuel, Elizabeth, married Christopher Brown; Mercy, mar- ried George Smith, and Jonathan. The two last were twins. Jona- than, son of Samuel, was born August 16th, 1778, and departed this life July 15th, 1852. He married Abby Randall and their children were: John, died single; Maria, a maiden lady, lives in Lincoln; Mercy, married Tillie Raymond, of Worcester, Mass .; Elizabeth, widow of Doctor Warren Cooke, resides in Lincoln; Samuel and James, both died single; Louisa, married George Green and lives in Lincoln, and Christopher, died young.
There are other families of Arnolds resident of Pawtucket and Lincoln who are undoubtedly descended from the two brothers William and Thomas, that came from England in 1635. Their early ancestors located in other parts of Rhode Island, but their de- scendants have returned and become identified with the business interests of Providence county. Among these we mention the fol- lowing:
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John A. Arnold was born in Providence January 18th, 1851, and was the son of Thomas, who was the son of John. John A. married Emily E. Foster and has one child, Fred. A. He is secretary of the Conant Thread Company.
James Arnold, son of Samuel, was born in Attleboro, Mass., Oc- tober 12th, 1809. He married Evelyn Marchant and had seven chil- dren: Eliza, deceased, married Sanford E. Holmes; Julia, deceased, married Daniel W. Ashton; Louisa, deceased, married Albert Bowen; William M., died young; William J .; Sarah, wife of Thomas D. Elsbree, of Valley Falls, R. I., and Amos D. James died December 31st, 1882. William J., son of James, was born in Pawtucket August 12th, 1842, and married Mollie M. McQuiston. They had one child, William J., who died at the age of 19 years. He is a machinist and resides in Paw- tucket. Amos D., son of James, was born in Pawtucket November 29th, 1855. By his wife, Margaret L., he has three children: May Louisa, James Amos and Rose Cleveland. He resides in Pawtucket.
Samuel W. Arnold was born in Coventry, R. I., August 3d, 1833, and married Mary, daughter of Olney Matteson, of Coventry. They have no children. He resided in Coventry till 1865, when he came to Central Falls, where he is now engaged in the coal and wood business. Samuel W.'s father was also Samuel, who was the son of Lowry. Samuel married Juliet, daughter of Doctor Elisha Olney, of Coventry, she being a native of Foster, R. I. They had five children: Laura, married John W. Francis, of Chicago; Erastus, died in Providence; George W., lives at Warren, R. I .; Samuel W. and Mary E., wife of Amos Franklin, of Coventry.
GENERAL OLNEY ARNOLD, president of the First National Bank, Pawtucket, son of Doctor Seth and Belinda (Streeter) Arnold, was born in Newton, Massachusetts, January 17th, 1822. His early life was spent in Woonsocket. His parents resided there prior to his birth, which event occurred during a brief residence at Newton. His education was obtained in the public schools of Woonsocket and at Bushee's Academy in Smithfield, On attaining manhood he engaged for a while in mercantile pursuits, but in a few years became cashier of a bank in Woonsocket. In 1853 he removed to Pawtucket, on being elected cashier of the People's Bank of that place, and from that time has been prominently identified with many enterprises that have made that city what it is to-day.
At the organization of the Bank of Mutual Redemption, Boston, in 1855, the office of cashier was tendered him, but declined on account of his business interests at Pawtucket. Upon the establishment of the national banking system, in 1863, General Arnold organized the First National Bank of Pawtucket, the first in the town and the sixth in the state, and became its cashier. In 1865 the People's Bank was merged with it. In 1875 he was elected president, which office he has since retained. He was elected treasurer of the Providence County ,
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Savings Bank in 1853, and has continued in that office ever since. In 1868 he was appointed receiver and agent for closing up the affairs of the North Providence Bank, which he successfully accomplished by redeeming all its bills, paying its depositors in full and dividing 79.6 per cent. among the stockholders, with less than $50 expense to the bank. The net earnings of the People's Bank, and its successor, the First National Bank, have averaged more than 12 per cent. per an- num, for nearly 40 years, under Mr. Arnold's management. As finan- cier and manager of trusts, the services of Mr. Arnold have been con- stantly in requisition. He has served and is still serving a large num- ber of corporations and societies as treasurer, director and trustee.
About this time he engaged with David Ryder and ex-Governor A. H. Littlefield and a few others in an attempt to perfect the manufac- ture of hair cloth by power, in which he succeeded after numerous discouragements, in establishing a large and profitable business in that line. He is also managing director in the Cumberland Mills Company and Dexter Yarn Company, does an extensive business in set- tling estates, and in many ways has been a hard working man.
As a military man, General Arnold has served in nearly every position from private to major general. At the commencement of the rebellion he was appointed one of the aides to Governor Sprague, and was kept constantly at work organizing companies for active service in the field. He was commissioner and superintendent of drafts in this state for the United States. On account of his efficiency and knowledge of military affairs he was retained in the state, and was, during the war, promoted to be major general of the militia. The veterans of the war in this state hold General Arnold in the highest esteem. He is an honorary member of the First and Second Regiment Rhode Island Veteran Associations, also an honorary mem- ber of Slocum Post, No. 10, G. A. R.
General Arnold is an old fashioned Jeffersonian democrat, is pub- lic spirited, and has served the town in many official capacities. He has been president of the town council, town treasurer, water com- missioner, trustee of schools, trustee of public library, moderator, auctioneer, etc. In 1846 he was elected a representative to the gen- eral assembly from Cumberland, of which the village of Woonsocket was then a part, and he represented that town for several years. He afterward removed to North Providence, which, for several years, em- braced the village of Pawtucket, and was chosen representative from that town and subsequently senator. He also held the the office of treasurer of North Providence, and was president of the town council. He has been the candidate of his party during the past 40 years for many prominent positions-for governor, U. S. senator, representative in congress, presidential elector, etc .- always in popular elections leading his ticket largely. He has received civil or military com- missions from nearly every governor of the state for the last 40 years.
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He has been railroad commissioner, commissioner for the organiza- tion of state banks, of the state prison and jail, has served on im- portant state committees by appointment of the governor or general assembly, and appointed upon the most prominent committees of both branches of the legislature.
In 1853 General Arnold united with the Universalist church in Pawtucket, and has been president of its national organization, is trustee of its publishing house, treasurer of its state convention, and has been treasurer and trustee of the Pawtucket parish. He is a Mason, and a member of many charitable associations, historical so- cieties and libraries; a leader in all that concerns the welfare of the city. He organized the Pawtucket Electric Lighting Company, and was one of the prominent men who secured the introduction of water works and telegraphic fire alarm. He was chief marshal of the recent Cotton Centennial in Pawtucket. The personal characteristics of General Arnold are a well-balanced, clear and vigorous intellect, de- liberately formed and conservative judgment, great firmness, marked executive ability, strict adherence to system and method in business, and unquestioned honor and integrity. He is a gentleman of wealth, and uses his income generously in aid of all benevolent and charitable purposes and for the gratification of his strong domestic and literary tastes. On the 23d of January, 1844, he married Phebe Dudley, of Providence. She is a native of Douglass, Mass. They have no chil- dren.
JAMES S. BROWN was born in Pawtucket, December 23d, 1802. His paternal ancestor was a Welshman, who, with three other brothers, emigrated from Wales and settled in what is now Cumberland. Here the brothers engaged in mining coal and iron ore, using both in the manufacture of iron. Their furnace was situated at Valley Falls, on the Abbot Run. This business was inherited by Philip, the grand- father of James S. Brown, and carried on by him till his death. After that event one blast was made, and the working of the furnace was given up. Philip's son, Sylvanus, father of James S., was only ten years old at his father's death, and was placed under the care of his great-uncle, a millwright. He worked at this trade till he was 21 years of age, and then engaged in business on his own account until the revolution. He then enlisted in the colonial navy, and served on board the " Alfred " as master of arms, the ship being commanded by William Jones; Ezekiel Hopkins, of North Providence, R. I., being the first commander-in-chief of the colonial navy. Jones was gover- nor of the state of Rhode Island from 1810 to 1817. Upon closing his naval career Sylvanus Brown went to Providence, and worked at stocking guns in a shop operated by the state. He was next engaged by the governor of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick to superintend the making and putting up of sets of machinery for seven saw mills, and machinery for two grist mills, and he employed on the iron work
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all the men connected with Stephen Jenks & Sons' shop. He re- mained at St. John, N. B., a year and a half. He then went to Europe, but soon returned to Pawtucket, where he built a house and shop. In 1790 he constructed machinery, under Mr. Slater's superintendence, for Brown & Almy, and this achievement encouraged the parties to build the Old Slater Mill. In 1792 he invented and used the first slide lathes for turning rolls, by which they were made straight and of uni- form size. He also built machines for fluting rolls, which were of great advantage to the business, enabling one man to do the work formerly requiring the labor of six. He was next employed by John Brown, a manufacturer of cannon, to superintend furnaces and boring mills at Scituate, R. I., and Easton, Mass. In 1801 he engaged in his own business as a wheelwright, and continued it until his death in 1824.
James S. Brown attended school until his 15th year, when he was employed by David Wilkinson, manufacturer of cotton machinery at Pawtucket, in pattern making, having, during his school vacation of the previous year, assisted his father in this department of his busi- ness. In 1819 he went to work in the shop of Pitcher & Gay, which was started in 1813 on Main street, and when Mr. Brown entered it, was the largest manufactory of machinery in Pawtucket. Mr. Brown took Mr. Gay's place in the firm in 1824, and in 1842 purchased his partner's interest, and from that time he carried on a large and suc- cessful business in the manufacture of cotton machinery.
In 1820, when he was only 18 years of age, Mr. Brown invented the slide rest used in turning lathes, by which the height of the tool can be adjusted while the lathe is in motion. In 1830 he invented his gear cutter for cutting bevel gears, and in 1838 he patented a ma- chine for boring the passage for the roving through the arm of the long flyer roving machine, and in 1842 his lathe for longitudinally turning bodies of irregular forms. He also devised an improvement in planing machines, so that sixteen rolls, instead of four, may be used. He applied the turning-lathe to the cutting of large screws, six to eight inches long, for clothing, and in 1874 he patented a new ma- chine for spindle grinding. He also made improvements in other machines not used in his own business. He simplified and perfected Sharpe & Roberts' self-acting mule, sent to Pitcher & Brown by Brad- ford Durfee, of Fall River, and afterward engaged in the manufacture of these mules. In 1857 he took out a patent for his improvements on the American Speeder, and also manufactured that machine. The de- mand for these machines was so great that he was compelled to de- vote the whole force of his shop to them, and to employ for the same purpose nearly the whole force of another large machine shop in the vicinity. In 1862 he built nine of Bennet's machines, with some modifications, for cutting files, for some capitalists of Baltimore, who had bought the right of manufacture and use of them. He put these
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machines into successful operation. He also invented a machine for grinding file blanks and a furnace for hardening files. During the civil war his improved lathe, originally designed for the turning of rolls for cotton machinery, was employed in turning gun barrels. This, for a time, to a large extent superseded all other work in the shops. Mr. Brown engaged in these various enterprises and inven- tions for nearly 60 years, and his improvements in machinery have been of great value to the industries to which they have been applied. He died in 1879, aged 77 years. His son, James Brown, succeeded to the business.
CHARLES EDWIN CHICKERING, born in Attleboro, Mass., June 14th, 1828, was the only son of Charles and Laura (Fitts) Chickering. On the death of his father, in 1840, his mother removed to Pawtucket. He learned the trade of harness making, and in 1848 commenced to drive stage between Pawtucket and Providence, which he continued ten years. He then engaged in general teaming business between these points, which he followed until his death, November 14th, 1888. He married Jane Church. They had four children, two of whom are living, viz., Laura and Fannie R., wife of Walter Barney, of East Providence. Mr. Chickering was overseer of the poor for a number of years, member of legislature several terms, past grand chancellor of K. of P., past grand dictator and past supreme representative of K. of H., a Knight Templar, past grand of Odd Fellows, and one of the organizers of the Royal Order of Good Fellows.
LUCIUS B. DARLING .- The genealogy of the Darlings shows that Dennis Darling came to Mendon, Mass., from Braintree, in the same state, about the year 1680. His wife's maiden name was Hannah Francis. They had several children, one of whom, John Darling, born in 1664, settled in the southern part of Bellingham, Mass., where he was known as "Captain John." He was the father of thirteen child- ren. From "Captain John " sprang the branch of the Darling family to which the subject of this sketch belongs. Samuel seems to have been a favorite name with the Darlings, the great-grandfather, the grandfather and father of Lucius all bearing that name, as well as a brother. His mother's maiden name was Margaret Smith. There were eight children, all of them sons, namely: George (deceased), Charles (deceased), Gilbert, Samuel, Jr., Lucius B., Ruel S. (deceased), Edwin and Lyman M. The latter is treasurer of the L. B. Darling Fertilizer Company, at Pawtucket. R. I .; Edwin is superintendent of the Pawtucket Water Works; Gilbert is a prosperous merchant at Woonsocket, R. I., and Samuel, who lives at the Diamond Hill reser- voir, in Cumberland, R. I., is a farmer. All of the brothers were fine specimens of physical development and good types of the hardy stock of the sons of New England yeomanry.
Lucius was born in Bellingham, Mass., on the 3d of October, 1827, and remained on his father's farm until he reached manhood, receiv-
Hinto by Horton Bros
LB Samling
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ing his education at the district school during the winter months. In 1849 he went to Providence, R. I., where he stayed one year, and then removed to Pawtucket, which at that time was a village in the town of North Providence, where he has since resided. He began business in Pawtucket in 1852, and from that time until the present it has steadily increased, an extensive branch being located in Chicago, Il1. In 1883 the business in Pawtucket was incorporated under the name of the L. B. Darling Fertilizer Company, Mr. Darling being president, and which position he still holds. He has been a director in the Pacific National Bank of Pawtucket for 25 years, and its vice-presi- dent for a long period. In 1867 he was chosen a director of the Paw- tucket Gas Company, and in 1880 its president, which office he still holds. Since 1876 he has been a director of the Swan Point Cemetery corporation, and president of the board from 1879. He is also a direc- tor in the Pawtucket Mutual Fire Insurance Company, the Pawtucket Institution for Savings and the Pawtucket Street Railway Company. He is a thorough-going business man, and is connected with various other institutions and organizations of a practical character.
Mr. Darling has served his town, city and state in numerous public capacities. He represented the old town of North Providence in the lower branch of the general assembly in 1861-2-3, and served as a member of the town council and school committee for a number of years. He is a member of the state board of education. Twice he was appointed by the governor one of the harbor commissioners, and at the present time he is chairman of the board of water commission- ers of Pawtucket and president of the Business Men's Association of that city, an organization which embraces in its membership very many of the leading citizens of Pawtucket and the adjoining village of Central Falls. Mr. Darling is also the sole owner of the Music Hall building, on Main street, one of the handsomest and most substantial business structures in Pawtucket.
In politics Mr. Darling is a pronounced republican, and for two successive years (1885 and 1886) he was elected lieutenant governor of Rhode Island, the Hon. George Peabody Wetmore, of Newport, holding first position on the ticket. Of Mr. Darling it may be truly said con- cerning all the public positions which he has held, that when he has consented to be a candidate it has been because he yielded to the per- suasions of others, to the disregard of his own personal preferences.
Mr. Darling has traveled extensively in his own country, as well as in Europe, and in his delightful home on Walcott street are many works of art, which have been gathered from time to time in the various lands which he has visited. Of pleasing address, agreeable in manners, courteous in bearing and "given to hospitality," his circle of acquaintance is largely extended. He is thoroughly identified with the interests of the community in which he has so long resided, and where he has reached a high and honorable position by reason of his
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uprightness of character, his unbounded energy and his sterling com- mon sense.
He married, November 4th, 1847, Angeline H. Armington. They have had six children: Mary E., Ada E., Lovinia, Ira C., Lucius B., Jr., and Byron (deceased).
SIMON WILLARD DEXTER, manufacturer, and son of Captain N. G. B. Dexter, the founder of the Dexter Yarn Company's business, was born in Pawtucket July 25th, 1820. He is a descendant of Reverend Gregory Dexter, an associate of Roger Williams, and a grandson of Nathaniel Balch Dexter, of Grafton, Massachusetts, who was a tailor by trade, and who came to Pawtucket in 1798. Nathaniel B. Dexter married a daughter of Simon Willard, of Boston, the great clock maker. He removed to Providence in 1830, where he died in 1832. His brother John settled in the town of Cumberland, was a judge of the court many years, and died there at the age of 96 years. Daniel S., another brother, commanded a regiment of colored soldiers in the war of 1812, and died in his 95th year. Thomas, Horace and Horatio, sons of Nathaniel B. Dexter, went to Florida. Nathaniel G. B. came to Pawtucket. The Reverend Gregory Dexter was born in Olney, England, in the year 1610. He was a Baptist minister at London, was a highly cultured gentleman, and the transatlantic correspondent of Roger Williams. In 1643, when Williams went to England to procure the first charter for the infant colony, he took with him Mr. Dexter's manuscript of his " Directory of the Indian Language," and on the voyage arranged it for being printed, and in that same year (1643) Mr. Dexter printed the first edition of it at London. In 1644 Mr. Dexter joined Williams at Providence, where he afterward became a distinguished character in the colony. He was one of the parties named in the charter of 1663, and for a number of years was one of the assistants under the authority granted in that charter. He had been well educated, held various offices, and especially many positions where, in the general paucity of mental cultivation, he was so much needed. He was also the fourth pastor of the First Baptist church in Providence, having been called to succeed Reverend Mr. Wickenden about 1650. He was the first accomplished printer that came to this country, and he printed with his own hand the first almanac for the meridian of Rhode Island. This forefather of the Dexter family died in the year 1700. His first house was a log house, which was de- stroyed by the Indians in 1676. In this King Philip's war two of his grandchildren were rendered orphans.
Nathaniel G. B. Dexter, commonly known as Captain Dexter, the father of the subject of this sketch, was fifth in descent from Reverend Gregory Dexter, and was the only one of the six de- scendants of that forefather bearing the name of Gregory who ever lived to marry. He was born at Grafton, Massachusetts, in 1788, and in 1798 removed to Pawtucket with his father's family. He never
1
Simon M. Denliz
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went to school, but was educated by his parents. He was the especial favorite of Samuel Slater, the first manufacturer of cotton yarns by machinery in America, and early entered the counting room as his clerk, and subsequently became the superintendent of the mills. He was strictly temperate from his youth. Using his own words, he says: " Well, mother, I've seen a man trying to walk and couldn't go be- cause they said he was drunk; and I have inquired into it and come to an agreement with myself to never drink one drop of anything that I know has any drunk in it." And he kept that agreement till his death, which occurred April 8th, 1866.
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