USA > Rhode Island > Providence County > History of Providence County, Rhode Island > Part 21
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Fred. I. Chaffee, son of Oliver and Abby Maria (Gray) Chaffee, was born in 1857, in East Providence, and was educated at public and high schools, East Providence, and at Mowry & Goff's, Providence. He served as deputy sheriff for two years. He married Inez, daughter of Alfred and Frances Griswold, of East Providence. He was employed for seven years in the Rumford Chemical Works, and about 1881 began the manufacture of disinfectants. He was burned out, but im- mediately rebuilt and still carries on the business.
J. Irvin Chaffee, son of Oliver and Abby M. (Gray) Chaffee, was born January 3d, 1861, in Seekonk, Mass., and was educated at Mowry & Goff's classical school and at Brown University, Providence, gradu- ating in 1883. Before graduating he began to teach as principal in the Grove Avenue grammar school in the fall of 1882. In the fall of 1884 he started the East Providence high school, of which he had charge till the middle of November, 1889, when he resigned and went abroad for two months. After his return he taught until the follow- ing summer at Goff, Rice & Smith's school in Providence. In the fall of 1890 he entered the Johns Hopkins University to take the course in mathematics. In 1885 he married Bessie W., daughter of John C. and Frances A. (Peck) Marvel.
A. N. Cunningham, son of Joseph N. and Sarah A. (Bishop) Cun- ningham, was born November 5th, 1841, in Seekonk, Mass., now East Providence. He began with his father, who was a civil engineer, and who laid out the Boston & Providence road; was foreman on the Bos- ton & Providence road, under Isaiah Hoyt, and afterward went on the construction of the Boston, Hartford & Erie, under E. B. Crane, for two years. He then returned to the Boston & Providence road, and built over the road, under Mr. Hoyt; then back to the Boston, Hartford & Erie, now known as the New York & New England road, under N. C. Munson, for two years. He then went to the Connecticut Valley road
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and took a contract to build three miles of road from Wethersfield to Rocky Hill, then went to work for Dillon & Clyde to finish the road. He was afterward made superintendent of the construction, under Hiram Fowler, and then appointed roadmaster and superintendent of bridges, remaining until the road changed hands. He is now an as- sistant roadmaster O. C. R.R. He was educated at Seekonk Academy, Opalic Institute, Attleboro; M. & E. Lyon's private school, Providence, and at Brown University. He is chess editor on staff of Providence Daily Journal, is president of Spring Vale Cemetery, and moderator of Watchemoket Fire District, and also a member of the administra- tive board of that district. He served two years on school committee in Windham, Conn. He was senator from East Providence in 1887. He was quartermaster three terms of Bucklin Post, No. 20, G. A. R., and is now commander of Farragut Post, No. 8. He served in the early part of the rebellion in Company D, 2d R. I. Volunteers, was appointed second lieutenant 78th N. Y. Volunteers December 23d, 1861, and at the time of the consolidation of that regiment with the 102d N. Y. held by appointment the rank of captain in Company H; after the consolidation he returned to the 2d R. I. regiment, and was mustered out of service by order of the war department at Camp Hawes Hill, Va., July 31st, 1865. He married Hattie B., daughter of George W. Frink, of Windham, Conn.
George S. Dean, son of George B. and Sarah G. (Sisson) Dean, was born in 1832 in Providence, was educated in public schools and came to East Providence in 1874. He first engaged in the jewelry business in Providence, and for the past 23 years has been a repairer and fin- isher of pianos, first with Henry E. Barney, then Henry E. Barney & Son, then James H. Barney, and now Ira N. Goff. He married Mary J., daughter of Henry E. Barney, of Providence. He was elected a member of school board in 1889.
James Dennis, Jr., son of James and Anna T. (Lockwood) Dennis, was born in 1842 in Pawtucket, R. I., and was educated at the Friends' School, Providence, and at Haverford, Penn. He came to East Provi- dence in 1881. He married Laura, daughter of Oliver S. Curtis, of East Providence. He is engaged in the business of raising lettuce for the New York market.
Jared Carrington Dodge, son of Hezekiah and Elizabeth (Dodge) Dodge, was born in 1820 on Block Island, was educated in the public schools, and learned the carpenter's trade. In 1866 he started in the sash, blinds and planing mill business in Providence, which he has carried on ever since at the same place. He married Olive Paine, a daughter of George Washington and Sarah Salisbury, of Barrington, Mass. Their children are: Horace H., born 1844; Francis H., born 1846, died 1853; Sarah Elizabeth, born 1848; Charlotte Shaw, born 1850; Frank H., born 1853, and Annie L., born 1859. Mr. Dodge served for 24 years in the volunteer fire department.
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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
William Wheaton Ellis, son of William and Mary (Wheaton) Ellis, was born December 13th, 1838, in Seekonk, Mass., now East Provi- dence, R. I., and was educated at the English and Classical school of East Providence. He learned the jewelry business and followed it three years, then was employed by the Rumford Chemical Works, re- maining four years, then worked for the Boston & Providence railroad for seven years, and returned to the chemical works. He was elected on school board for three years, and was for two years of that time chairman of the board. He was elected again in 1889 for three years; also elected superintendent. He is treasurer of Newman Congrega- tional church, and has been for a number of years, also for 18 years a trustee, and is and has been for a number of years clerk of the society. He was chosen deacon May 30th, 1872, and has served in that capacity for more than 18 years. He married Sarah H., daughter of Hezekiah and Avis N. Blaisdell, of Providence.
JOSEPH E. C. FARNHAM, son of William H. and Lydia H. (Parker) Farnham, was born January 18th, 1849, in Nantucket, Mass., and is one of 12 children on the paternal side, and one of nine on the ma- ternal, his father having been twice married. He was educated in the public schools, and the Sir Admiral Coffin Academy of his native town, his 13th birthday being his last day at school. At that age he left home and lived on a farm for one year, then entered the printing office of the Nantucket Mirror, remaining one year. He came to Prov- idence June 2d, 1864, was with A. Crawford Greene one year, and one year with Knowles, Anthony & Co. In March, 1866, he entered the employ of the Providence Press Company, continuing until March, 1869, then went with Millard & Harker for one year, returning in March, 1870, to the Providence Press Company. In June, 1883, he was appointed foreman of the book composition department, and con- tinued with the company until October 1st, 1888, when with Edwin H. Snow, under the firm name of Snow & Farnham, he succeeded the Providence Press Company. Their printing establishment is one of the largest in the state, employing about 40 hands. From 1877 to 1883 he was a member of the Providence school board, serving on the committees on by-laws, music and evening schools. His term would not have expired until 1886, but in 1883 he moved to East Providence. He was appointed on the school board of East Providence in June, 1889, by the town council to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Miles H. Lawson, and was immediately elected clerk of the board by the committee. At the annual town election in April, 1890, he was re-elected a member of the school committee for a period of three years. At the organization of the school board, immediately follow- ing the election, he was re-elected clerk, and was also elected super- intendent of schools of the town. He is a member of Franklin Lodge of Odd Fellows, No. 23, of Providence, and a past grand of the same, has been for a number of years a trustee of his Lodge, and was dis-
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trict deputy grand master for two years over four of the Lodges of the city of Providence. He is also a member of Fraternity Encamp- ment, No. 17, of East Providence, and is a past chief patriarch in this higher branch of Odd Fellowship. He was in June, 1887, a charter member of Providence Council, No. 1096, of the Royal Arcanum, of East Providence, and was made the first past regent of that organi- zation. He was prominently connected with the Hope Street Meth- odist church, Providence, for 16 years, and for nearly eight years was Sunday school superintendent. He united with the Haven Methodist church, East Providence, the first Sunday in November, 1883, was soon after elected a member of the official board, and is now steward, class leader, treasurer and president of the board of trustees of that church. He was one of the organizers and founders of the Methodist Social Union of Providence and vicinity, elected secretary at the or- ganization January, 1881, and continued in the office until January, 1888, when he was elected president, declining a re-election at the fol- lowing annual election. He was again elected secretary in January, 1891. He has been for some years a member of the executive com- mittee of the Providence Branch of the Indian Rights Association, which embraces in its membership many of the leading citizens of Providence. He joined the Young Men's Christian Association in 1867, was twice vice-president, and is now, and has been for ten years, a member of the board of directors. He is chairman of the member- ship committee, and has been a member of the lecture, missionary, publication, finance and the library committees. Being deprived of those educational privileges enjoyed by most boys, he was led to adopt early in his career a system of self improvement, which has al- ways been maintained. With a natural thirst for knowledge, he was fortunate in the selection of the printing trade-a school in itself- added to which an early formed habit of reading and study has served to more than make up for the loss of earlier advantages. It may be said of him that, so far as the practical uses of education can go, he is a well-educated man. Thus has he been able to fill every position to which he has been called, with ability, and has added grace and dignity to every occasion upon which he has been selected to pre- side over and address an audience. As a speaker he has few equals among those of his circle, and never fails to entertain and interest his hearers. He married, October 11th, 1871, Laura S., daughter of Solo- mon and Nancy B. (Manchester) Greene of Providence. Their chil- dren are: Emma Ellouise, born August 30th, 1875, died July 10th, 1876; and William Ellis, born July 5th, 1878.
Joseph B. Fitts, son of David and Delia (Bucklin) Fitts, was born in 1818, in Seekonk, Mass., now East Providence, R. I., and was edu- cated at the public schools. He learned the tanning trade which he followed in his early days, his father being a tanner and currier. About 1847 he began farming and afterward turned his attention to
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gardening, which he has followed for over 20 years. He served in the town council in 1887. He married Elizabeth, daughter of William Dennis, of Sandwich, Mass.
David Glover, son of Thomas and Sarah (Hughes) Glover, was born in 1832, in Prince Edward's Island, and was educated in public schools. His father was a native of Scotland and his mother a native of Massachusetts. He learned the carpenter trade in 1849, came to Providence in 1863, moving to East Providence in August, 1887. He has always followed the building business. He was one of the early members of the Mechanics' Exchange of Providence. He married Catharine, daughter of David Creighton, of Prince Edward's Island.
David F. Goff, son of David and Clarissa (Stacy) Goff, was born in 1849, in Taunton, Mass., was educated in the public schools of his native town and in Rehoboth, and came to East Providence in 1868. He was for a time in the contracting business with George H. Read in building bridges and wharves, and started in the real estate busi- ness in Providence in 1874. He served on the board of assessors a number of years. He married Rachel I., daughter of John Greene, of Worcester.
Ira D. Goff, son of Cyrillus and Mary A. (Monroe) Goff, was born in 1852, in Providence, was educated in the public schools of Provi- dence, and came to East Providence in 1878. He has always followed the jewelry business, and also established a periodical store at River- side in 1886. He married Annie L., daughter of Henry S. Pine, of Attle- boro, Mass. He was elected a member of the school board in 1888, a member of the town council in 1889, and foreman of Narragansett Fire Company No. 2, in March, 1889. He was clerk and treasurer of the latter for seven years previous.
Isaac L. Goff, son of David and Clarissa (Stacy) Goff, was born in 1852 in Taunton, Mass., was educated in the public schools of East Providence and Bryant & Stratton's College, Providence, and came to East Providence in 1869. He started in the real estate business in Providence in 1871, and has also been engaged in the manufacturing jewelry business since 1879. He married Ada J., daughter of William R. Richards, of Providence.
Osmond C. Goodell, son of Chester and Betsey (Fuller) Goodell, was born in 1835 in Readsboro, Bennington county, Vt., and was edu- cated in the public and select schools of Vermont and Massachusetts. He came to East Providence in 1864, for two years was employed in a fruit store in Providence, and afterward kept a restaurant on Canal street for six years. He was appointed town sergeant and served about 18 years, and deputy sheriff about 17 years. He was also deputy U. S. marshal under Marshal Coggesall, and was an auctioneer a num- ber of years. He married first, Rosa F., daughter of Ansel Hicks of Vermont. His present wife is Eliza B., daughter of George and Sarah Read of East Providence.
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Joseph B. Gurney, son of Harris and Eliza (Shaw) Gurney, was born in 1830 in Dorchester, Mass., came to Providence about 1840, and was educated in the public school. He moved to East Providence in 1865, and about that time established the lumber business. He was at one time clerk for his uncle, Austin Gurney, one of the oldest lum- ber dealers in the city. He served for nine years as a member of the town council, one year on board of assessors, and eight years in the volunteer fire department. He married Susan A., daughter of David Gale of Providence.
Charles F. Harris, son of Otis G. and Louise (Bicknell) Harris, was born in 1857 in Barrington, R. I., was educated at Barrington high school and in Providence, and came to East Providence in 1882. He was for nine years bookkeeper for the Union Eyelet Company, Provi- dence. Since living in East Providence he has followed farming. He married Esther M., daughter of William Whitcomb of Providence.
Albert Pierce Hoyt, son of D. W. and Mary E. (Pierce) Hoyt, was born November 29th, 1857, in Brighton, Mass., came to Providence in 1864, and was educated in the public grammar and high schools of the city. He entered Brown University in 1874, graduated in 1878, and from July, 1878, until his death was connected with the First National Bank, and teller of the same from December, 1880. He moved to East Providence in 1884, was elected a member of school board in 1885 for two years, and at that time was clerk of committee on schools. He was appointed in 1887 to fill an unexpired term, and in 1888 was elected for three years as chairman of committee. He married Annie L., daughter of J. C. Dodge, of Providence, April 15th, 1884. He died October 7th, 1890.
Isaiah Hoyt, son of Benjamin and Sally (Adams) Hoyt, was born in 1812, in Bradford, N. H. At the age of 21 he went to Boston and was employed as foreman by the Boston & Providence railroad in the work of constructing the road. He was soon after made roadmaster of Fourth division. He continued with the corporation until Septem- ber 1st, 1888, when he resigned. At the close of his 50th year of ser- vice the corporation presented him with a check for $500. September 12th, 1886, he was presented by his employees of the railroad with a Waltham gold watch, valued at $100, as a token of their esteem and regard. He has always lived in East Providence since he started with the railroad company. He married Mary Ann Janet, daughter of Ebenezer Bishop, of Seekonk, Mass.
Edward S. Judkins, son of Nathaniel T. and Chloe C. (Brown) Jud- kins, was born in 1858 in Seekonk, Mass., now East Providence, and was educated in the public schools. He began manufacturing show cases in East Providence in 1883, and is the only one in that business between New York and Boston. He married Corabell, daughter of Winslow Hall, of Dover, N. H. His father manufactured carriages,
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and carried on a blacksmithing business on the same place for over 20 years.
Alfred J. Kent, son of Isaac B. and Hannah (Kent) Kent, was born in 1849 in Seekonk (now East Providence), and was educated in the public schools. He married Ella, daughter of James Turner, of Ports- mouth, R. I., and has always followed farming. He was collector of taxes in 1873.
Timothy A. Leonard, son of Carlton R. and Sarah (Cox) Leonard, was born in 1822 in what is now East Providence, on the farm where he now lives. At the age of 14 he went to Central Falls. He learned the house carpenter's trade in Providence, and in 1847 returned to the old place, where he has since lived. His business has been carpentry and pile driving. He was elected to the senate in 1869, served two years, and was again elected in 1875, serving one year. He was also representative from 1887 to 1889, served a number of years in the town council and as assessor of taxes. He married Martha, daughter of William Jones, of Seekonk, now East Providence.
Joseph J. Luther, son of Joseph and Fidelia (Niles) Luther, was born in 1834 in Warren, was educated in the public schools of his native town, and came to East Providence about 1859. He has always been identified with the jewelry business, and was in business under the firm name of J. J. Luther & Co. in Providence for five years. He has for the past six years been with Tilden & Thurber. He has served on the town council. He married Sarah T., daughter of C. C. God- frey, of Providence. His father was a cabinet maker by trade, went to California in 1849, and died there in 1850.
William H. McTwiggan, son of James and Sarah (McGill) McTwig- gan, was born in 1841, in Johnston, R. I., and was educated in the public schools of Providence. His parents came to this country in 1841, locating in Providence, where his father followed the mill busi- ness. William H. also operated in a cotton mill a few years, after ward learned the machinist trade, which he has followed since 1866. In 1861 he went West and engaged in the hotel business, remaining there until 1865, when he returned to Providence, and in 1867 he moved to East Providence. He served first in the Second Nebraska Cavalry, and afterward enlisted in the Third Iowa Battery, serving most of the time in Arkansas. His father served in the Twelfth R. I. regiment. He was elected a member of board of assessors in 1889, and re-elected in 1890. He married Ellen M., daughter of Frink U. and Mary Dorrance of East Providence.
Benjamin Martin, son of George and Maria (Medbery) Martin, was born in 1847, in East Providence, then Seekonk, Mass. He was brought up on his father's farm, and at the age of 21 learned the car- penter's trade, which he has always followed. He married Ella L., daughter of John A. Wood of East Providence. He was elected to the town council in 1889.
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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
Daniel Medbery, son of Arnold Rhodes and Keciah (Peck) Med- bery, was born in 1827 in what is now East Providence, and was edu- cated in the public schools. He married B. Maria, daughter of Ed- mund S. Comstock of East Providence. Mr. Medbery is in the sixth generation from Medberys, eighth generation from Pecks, and ninth generation from Roger Williams on his father's mother's side. His grandfather was Josiah, son of John, son of Thomas, son of John.
Jesse Medbery, son of Jesse and Elizabeth (Viall) Medbery, was born in 1832, in Seekonk, now East Providence, and was educated in the public schools. He served as a member of the town council in 1878. His grandfather was John. His great-grandfather, Samuel, was killed in the revolution.
James P. Millard, son of Nathaniel and Huldah (Peck) Millard, was born in 1827, in Rehoboth, Mass., and was educated in the public schools. He was brought up on a farm until 15 years of age, then learned the mason trade, worked at journey work until 1862, and since that time has carried on business for himself. He married first, Sarah, daughter of William Foster of Seekonk, and afterward married Mrs. Mary A. Dawley of Providence. His third wife was Mrs. Almira Lawton of New Bedford, Mass., and his present wife was Mrs. Phebe R. Carr of Tiverton, R. I., daughter of Robert and Hannah Tripp. His father was a mason by trade, doing his last work on the old Ar- cade building.
William W. Munroe, son of Burden and Lydia (Baker) Munroe, was born in 1837, in Rehoboth, Mass., and was educated in the public schools. He came to East Providence in 1863 and established him- self in the grocery and provision business. In 1865 his brother be- came a partner, and the firm has since been known as W. W. Munroe & Co. He was elected town treasurer in 1888. He married Ellen M., daughter of Deacon Isaac Goddard of Providence.
George J. Norton, son of George J. and Ann W. (Smith) Norton, was born in 1848, in Swansea, Mass., and was brought up on a farm. At the age of 16 years he enlisted in the United States service, De- cember 12th, 1864, at New Bedford, Mass., in the 26th Massachusetts Volunteers, and was discharged May 12th, 1865, at close of war. He was educated in the public schools at North Swansea, then learned the carpenter's trade in Pawtucket of Lewin & Kenyon, came to Providence and entered the employ of Peabody & Wilbur, now Fitz Herbert Peabody & Son, where he remained for 15 years. He was afterward for a short time with Dexter Gorton, the contractor, and since 1886 has been foreman at City planing mill, E. R. Randall, pro- prietor. He came to East Providence in 1870. He has served on town council, was elected in 1886 one of the water commissioners, and still holds that office. He married Emma C., daughter of Wel- come and Abbie W. (Carpenter) Barney of Rehoboth.
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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
Horace T. Peck, son of Bela and Lemira Ann Wheaton (Peck) Peck, was born in 1839, in Seekonk, now East Providence, R. I., was educated in public schools, and always followed farming. His father bought the place in 1824 and lived there until he died. His grandfa- ther was Joel Peck. Mr. Peck married Mary E., daughter of Samuel Humphrey of Swansea, Mass
James G. Peck, son of Samuel C. and Betsey H. (Chidsey) Peck, was born June 27th, 1844, in Milford, Conn., was educated in the public and private schools of Connecticut, and came to East Providence in 1871. He first engaged in the boot and shoe business under the firm name of Peck & Bartlett, and continued about three years, after which he was for two years bookkeeper for Paine & Sacket. He was then salesman for F. H. Richmond & Co., wholesale paper dealers, and since 1879 has been with C. Sydney Smith, manufacturer of gold chains, Eddy street, Providence. He has been postmaster in East Providence since January, 1886. East Providence was at that time a fourth class office. It was promoted to a third class office August, 1888. Mr. Peck married Frances H., daughter of Mrs. Susan L. Bart- lett, of East Providence.
Thomas S. Peck., son of Asa and Betsey (Hale) Peck, was born in 1827 in Providence, was educated in the public schools, learned the mason trade with his father and has followed it since he was 15 years old. He came to Seekonk, Mass., now East Providence, when he was one year old. He married Jane, daughter of Lloyd Sutton. He served in the town council and on the board of assessors. His father also followed the mason business.
Henry J. Pickersgill, son of William C. and Laura L. (Francis) Pickersgill, came to America when a child with his parents, who located in Lowell, Mass. He was educated in the public schools. He is a machinist by trade, but for the past twelve years has followed farming. He came to East Providence in 1877. He served in the First New York Infantry two years, and one year and six months in the 16th Massachusetts Battery. He married Elizabeth P., daughter of Joseph Copeland of Bridgewater, Mass. His father was a civil and mechanical engineer and moved from Lowell to Manchester, N. H., and from there to Providence at the close of the war. He was super- intendent of the Providence Tool Company from 1866 to 1874. He then returned to England and died there in October, 1887.
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