USA > Rhode Island > Providence County > History of Providence County, Rhode Island > Part 47
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James E. Cook, son of Davis T. and Abby (Hoag) Cook, was born in 1851 in Woonsocket, and was educated in the public schools. He was married in 1879 to Annie W., daughter of John T. Carter, of Salem, Mass. He has served as a member of town council, filled the position of clerk of the republican town organization for several years, was for six years a member of the school committee, and chairman of the board two years. He was elected alderman of the Fourth ward upon the formation of the city government in 1888, and elected president of the board in January, 1889. Mr. Cook is teller of the First National Bank of Woonsocket.
Joseph B. Cook, son of Zebina and Phila (Bartlett) Cook, was born in 1837 in what was then Cumberland, now Woonsocket, and was edu- cated at the district school. He was married in 1878 to Millsa, daugh- ter of James Lake, of Cumberland. They have two children, Joseph B. and Millsa S.
WILLIS AND LYMAN ARNOLD COOK, sons of Levi and Rhoda (Dar- ling) Cook, were born in the town of Cumberland, R. I .; Willis, Sep- tember 5th, 1803, and Lyman A., December 15th, 1805. Their father, a prosperous farmer and a man of sterling worth, was a member of assembly, and prominent in the affairs of his town. There being but two years difference in the ages of the brothers, they were naturally brought together on the farm and at school during the winter months. This association ripened into an almost life-long partnership at Woon- socket, covering 50 years of development of the town, in which they bore no small part. Leaving home at the ages of 17 and 18 respec- tively, they learned the machinist's trade, at which they worked, turn- ing their pay over to their father, until the last year of their minority, when each bought his time for $100, and continued work at day wages. Saving a portion of their earnings each year until 1828, they that year formed a copartnership with Willing Vose for the building of
Willis Good
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machinery, under the firm name of Willis Cook & Co. They con- ducted a successful business until burned out in 1835. Leasing ground and water power they soon after built a foundry and machine shop, and made various improvements in the property. Mr. Vose at a later date withdrew from the company.
In 1846 they added to their business the manufacture of cotton goods, continuing it for 12 years, when they leased this mill to other parties, but continued the foundry and machine works. At the ex- piration of the first 15 years' lease it was renewed, and within the second term they purchased the whole property, including a large estate on the opposite side of Main street, where they erected dwell- ings, store and office buildings, the last of which, completed in 1868, is known as Cook's Block, now one of the finest buildings in the town. The mill property was sold in 1868, at which time they retired from the machine business, but retained their other landed estates. A few years later the copartnership of 50 years duration was dissolved by mutual agreement, Willis purchasing the company's real estate, while Lyman invested in other manufacturing interests. This long business association is remarkable in its uniform record of integrity and un- questioned financial credit and stability during the whole time.
In politics Mr. Willis Cook was an old line whig, an active and earnest opponent of the Dorr party, and later prominently identified with the republican party. He served at different times as a member of the general assembly, but did not seek political offices, often refus- ing when asked to accept them. During the greater part of his busi- ness career he was connected with the Smithfield Union Bank, as director from 1833, and as president of that corporation, now the Na- tional Union Bank, continuously from 1862 until his death, which oc- curred February 11th, 1882. He was one of the original incorporators of the Woonsocket Institution for Savings in 1845, was subsequently a trustee and director, and in 1873 was made its president. He con- tributed largely to its success, by attention to its investments, and ad- vice in its management. He was an active director of the Woonsocket Gas Company, and the American Worsted Company.
Mr. Cook was from early life interested in the subject of religion. He founded his belief upon the views of universal salvation, as pro- claimed by Reverend Hosea Ballou, and through his influence, with that of others, various Universalist divines, including Mr. Ballou, were induced to expound their faith to the people of Woonsocket. Mr. Cook assisted in establishing the first Sunday school in Woon- socket, a union school for all denominations. In 1834 he with others was instrumental in organizing a Universalist society, and later a Sun- day school and church. He was for many years president of the so- ciety, and until 1879 a member of the prudential committee, when ill health compelled his withdrawal. He contributed largely toward the support of the society, and was influential in its growth and pros-
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perity. He was distinguished for immovable integrity and upright ness, for his interest in all matters pertaining to the good of the town, state and nation, for thoroughness in all he undertook, and for sound judgment in matters of business.
Mr. Cook married July 3d, 1828, Cyrena Thayer, daughter of Moses and Anna (Paine) Thayer, of Mendon, Mass. Their children are: Eliphalet S., Horace C. (deceased), Ann Janette T., Madora (Mrs. R. G. Randall), Cyrena J. (Mrs. J. B. Aldrich), A. Olivia (Mrs. J. R. Boy- den), Susan A. (Mrs. Henry L. Ballou) Ednah L. (deceased), and Ger- trude (Mrs. R. A. Bullock, deceased).
Mr. Lyman A. Cook, in addition to the partnership business of the brothers, has been active in the organization and promotion of several other manufacturing interests, which have been successful, given em- ployment to many, and contributed to the growth of this and other localities. He was one of the organizers of the Bailey Wringing Machine Company, and on its incorporation was elected its president. He was, in 1863, elected president of the Woonsocket National Bank and held the same position in the Pawtucket Hair Cloth Company, the Hautin Sewing Machine Company, and the Narragansett Nail Company. He was also a large owner in the Lawrence Felting Mills at Millville, Mass., and is a director in the Providence & Worcester Railroad Company, and president of the Woonsocket Institution for Savings. He has also from time to time held considerable interests in other mechanical and mining enterprises.
Mr. Cook has not been an active participant in politics, but has at various times represented the town in both branches of the general assembly. Formerly a whig, he is now allied to the republican party. In religion he for many years worshipped with the Baptists, and later at the Protestant Episcopal church, of which he is a member and the senior warden. He has always been a liberal contributor to the organi- zations with which he was interested.
Mr. Cook married September 22d, 1830, Lavina B. Smith. They had three children: George Smith (deceased), Henry Lyman (deceased). and Edward Lyman. Mr. Cook has always enjoyed the esteem of his fellow citizens, energy, tenacity of purpose and integrity having characterized all the actions of his life. He is still, though advanced in years, much interested in the city of his residence.
REUBEN OLNEY COOKE .- Silas Cooke, the grandfather of Reuben O. Cooke, was a resident of Pelham, Mass., where his death occurred. He married Joanna Darling, whose son, Reuben Cooke, was a farmer in the town of Franklin, Mass. The wife of the latter was Martha Whipple of Cumberland, R. I., to whom were born children; Elias, Lyman, Elmira (Mrs. John Chilson, deceased), Didama (Mrs. Orren Chilson, deceased), Mary Ann (Mrs. Benjamin Foster, deceased), Alpha (Mrs. W. B. Darling, who was a second time married to Fenner Cook, de- ceased), and Reuben O.
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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
Reuben O. was born June 22d, 1822, in Bellingham, Mass., and when six years of age removed with his father to Franklin in the same state. He attended the common and high school, and the Smith- field Academy, after which the duties pertaining to the farm occupied his attention until his twentieth year. He then came to Woonsocket, spent a year in a machine shop and at the expiration of that time en- gaged in the grocery business, remaining thus employed for two years. After a brief residence in Syracuse, N. Y., Mr. Cooke estab- lished himself again in Woonsocket in the auction business, and con- tinued for four years to maintain a profitable patronage. In 1856 he began a grocery and drug business, which was in turn sold, and in 1873 the flourishing baking business, which is still continued on Main street, was purchased.
Mr. Cooke was married May 30th, 1847, to Lydia A., daughter of Eugene T. Martin of Woonsocket. Their children are: Emma G., wife of Charles E. Ballou; Frank A., who has an interest in his father's business; Ferdinand E. and Irving L., who are also engaged with their father in the bakery.
Mr. Cooke is a director in the Producers' National Bank and presi- dent of the Producers' Savings' Bank. He is a member of Morning Star Lodge, No. 13, F. & A. M., Union Chapter No. 5, and Woonsocket Commandery No. 23, as also of Woonsocket Council, R. & S. M., No. 4, and Providence Consistory, A. & A. S. R. Mr. Cooke is a republican, but not active in the arena of politics. He has held some local offices, but usually declined such official distinctions.
Samuel P. Cook, son of A. Lindsey and Mary H. (Phillips) Cook, was born in 1852 in Albion, R. I., and was educated at the high school, Woonsocket. He married Lucia G., daughter of Lucius M. Moses in 1883. Mr. Cook has been connected with the Producers' Bank since 1870, is cashier of the Producers' National Bank, and secretary and treasurer of the Producers' Savings Bank. He was elected town treas- urer in 1885, serving since that time, and was elected city treasurer upon the formation of the city government.
G. W. Cumnock, son of R. L. and Margaret (Goodlet) Cumnock, was born in 1855 in Mason, N. H., was educated in public schools of Mason, and at the age of 17 went to Lawrence Academy, Groton, Mass., graduating from the scientific department in 1877. He started in the spinning department of the Great Falls Manufacturing Com- pany, Great Falls, N. H., where he remained one year. He afterward went to Fall River, starting in the picker house of the Robeson Mills, in which place he learned to run every machine in the carding depart- ment. He then went to the Pacific Mills, Lawrence, Mass., in charge of the carding department, remaining two years. He next engaged with the Saratoga Victory Manufacturing Company to change their Hori- can Mill from fancy goods to plain print goods so that one man could superintend all their mills. He was afterward offered the manage-
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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
ment of the Piedmont Mills, Piedmont, S. C., one of the largest in the South, which he refused. He afterward made arrangements with the Whitin Machine Works, Whitinsville, Mass., to serve a term of years at building and engineering. They were the most thorough builders of cotton machinery in the country. He entered their works in 1881, remaining until 1886. He worked up plans for a small cotton mill, which he exhibited at the World's Industrial and Cotton Centennial Exposition held in New Orleans in 1884-5, which took the grand gold medal. He remained in the South as selling agent for the Whitin Machine Works, placing their machinery, locating mills and general engineering until 1886. Since that time he has been general manager of manufacturing for the Social Manufacturing Company.
Godfroy Daigneault was born in 1849 in the province of Quebec, where he was educated. He came to Woonsocket when he was 17 years old, and first worked in the mills for one year, then learned the carpenter trade, working in Providence two years, and continued in the business until 1874, when he established his meat business. He also has a meat business in Blackstone, which he started in 1886, and is engaged in the coal and wood, stone and teaming business, and real estate. He has been a member of St. John's Society since 1868, and was twice a member of the town council. He married Elmiré, daugh- ter of Levi A. Archambault, of St. Hyacinth, P. Q., in 1870.
Henry M. Darling, son of Ellis B. and Tamzin (Hoag) Darling, was born in 1839 in Woonsocket, at that time Cumberland, and was edu- cated in the public schools. He has served twice as a member of the town council. In 1863 he was married to Juliett, daughter of William Smith of Blackstone.
Alvertus Dean, son of James M. and Patience W. (Holbrook) Dean, was born in 1851 in Woonsocket, and was educated at the Woon- socket high school. He has been connected with the P. & W. rail- road since 1873, four years as clerk at Woonsocket, then agent at Milford, where he remained two years, and in 1879 he succeeded B. W. Johnson as agent at Woonsocket. He was married in 1878 to Sarah L., daughter of Isaac N. Crosby of Milford, Mass. His father was for many years superintendent of mills.
Frederic Dulude was born in 1859 in Chambly, Quebec, came to Woonsocket in 1870, and established his present business under the firm name of Dulude & Trahant, in 1881. The firm was dissolved in 1883, and the business has since been carried on by him. He married Azilda, daughter of François Breault, of St. Simon, Quebec, in 1877. He was marshal in St. Jean Baptiste Society, and connected with it for a number of years. He was elected councilman from Fifth ward upon the formation of the city government.
Daniel M. Edwards, M. D., son of Azariah and Catharine (Mann) Edward's, was born in Lincoln, Penobscot county, Maine, in 1844, graduated at Michigan University in 1867, and is a member of R. I.
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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
Medical Society. He came to Woonsocket in 1869 and practiced medicine until 1888. He became a stockholder in the Woonsocket Spool & Bobbin Company in 1885, and has been treasurer of the same since April, 1888. He erected the Hope Building in 1877, built the Edwards Block in 1878 and the bobbin shop in 1885. He was married in 1870 to Laura, daughter of Doctor Ariel Ballou of Woon- socket. He was with the 1st Maine Heavy Artillery from 1863 until the regiment was mustered out.
L. W. Elliott, son of Nathaniel and Malinda (Caswell) Elliott, was born in 1834 in Middleboro, Mass., and was educated in the district schools. He came to Woonsocket at 11 years of age and first worked in the mills three or four years, then worked for his brother in the grocery business. He afterward established himself in the teaming business, which he carried on for seven or eight years and later kept a boarding and livery stable in Providence for about three years. In 1868 he went into the hotel business in Woonsocket in company with William O. Mason. Mr. Mason was only interested for about eleven months, since which time the business has been carried on by Mr. Elliott. About 1869 the present house was built, called the Monu- ment House (the old one being moved), and a hall in connection, known as Elliott's Opera House, which has of late been altered into an extension to the hotel. Mr. Elliott married Hannah T., daughter of James Townsend, of Sheffield, Vt.
JOHN W. ELLIS .- Seth Ellis, the grandfather of John W. Ellis, resided in Medfield, Mass. His son, John Ellis, married Almira A. Fisher, also of Medfield. The children of this marriage are: Charles H., John W., William F. and Harriet A., wife of Allen F. Ballou. John W. Ellis, the second son in order of birth, is a native of Woon- socket, where he was born September 7th, 1845, and to which town his father removed in 1839. He was educated at the New Hampton Institution, graduating in 1863, and at once engaging in the profes- sion of civil engineering. From that date he began, unaided, his career of signal success. During the years 1864-5 he was employed on the western terminus of the Boston, Hartford & Erie railroad, and from 1865 to 1867 as assistant engineer on the extension of the New London & Northern railroad. From 1867 to 1869 he acted in the same capacity for the Troy & Greenfield railroad, and in the latter year returned to Woonsocket, where he opened an office and established himself in the general engineering business. Since that date Mr. Ellis has prosecuted his profession and been identified with many of the important interests of the locality. In 1873 he was made chief engineer of the Providence & Worcester railroad, and continued to fill the duties involved in the holding of this office until the leasing of the property to another corporation in 1888. During this period the road was largely reconstructed, new and capacious depots erected, and important bridges built. He was the engineer on the construction of
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the Woonsocket water works, and on the sale of the franchise and works to the town in 1885, was made chairman of the board of water commissioners, which position he still holds.
Mr. Ellis has been one of the leading spirits in the development of the business and public interests of Woonsocket, and is identified with nearly every public movement and many financial enterprises of magnitude. He is president of the Woonsocket National Bank, a member of the board of investment of the Woonsocket Institution for Savings, and one of its most trusted advisers, director of the Woon- socket Gas Company, member of the committee on management of the Woonsocket Gas Company, trustee and chairman of the executive committee of Oak Hill Cemetery, member of the committee on sale of the Woonsocket Manufacturing Company's property, commissioner of topographical survey of the state of Rhode Island, chairman of the board of water commissioners of the city of Woonsocket, trustee and chairman of the executive committee of the Woonsocket Hospital, member of the Boston Society of Civil Engineers and the incumbent of many other offices of more or less importance. In addition to these varied trusts he has for years been engaged in a general engineering business throughout the New England states.
Mr. Ellis in his religious views sympathizes with the doctrines of the Universalist churchi, and is a member of the prudential committee of the Universalist Society of Woonsocket. He was married May 23d, 1870, to Mary F. Howe, daughter of Eben Howe and Hannah H. San- born, of New Hampton, N. H. Their children are: John, Walter H., Harry E. (deceased), Edith A. and Marion.
Darius D. Farnum, son of Jonathan and Minerva (Buxton) Farnum, was born in 1827, in Uxbridge, Mass., came to Woonsocket in 1844, and was for 35 years connected with the late Edward Harris and the Harris Woolen Company, first as bookkeeper and afterward as a mem- ber of the company. He held the office of clerk of the consolidated school corporation for several years. He is a director in the First National and National Globe banks. He was elected councilman from the Fourth ward upon the formation of the city government. He was married in 1851 to Adeline, daughter of Peter Darling, of Cumber- land.
William I. Follett, son of Isaac and Ann E. (Remington) Follett, was born in 1834, in Smithfield, now Lincoln, and was educated in the district school. He came to Woonsocket, locating on his present farm, in 1877. He learned the cooper's trade and followed it for 20 years. Since that time he has followed farming. He married Harriet, daughter of Thomas Harris, of Smithfield, in 1856.
John B. Fountain, son of Charles and Sophia (Oliver) Fountain, was born in 1837 in Canada, and was educated in Canada. He came to Woonsocket in 1863, and learned his trade with Hubbard & Page, being with them three years. He was afterward foreman for N.
JohnM Ellis
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Elliott for ten years, and in 1878 started business for himself as con- tractor and builder. He married Ella, daughter of Nelson Praray, of Woonsocket, in 1864. He served as a member of the town council, is a member of the school committee of the Fifth ward, also warden.
E. Charles Francis, son of Eben and Mary (Hunnewell) Francis, was born in 1851, in Utica, N. Y. He came to Woonsocket in 1870, and entered the Woonsocket National Bank as clerk, was afterward teller and is now assistant cashier. He was educated in the public schools of Cambridge, Mass. He married Gertrude, daughter of Charles Nourse, of Woonsocket, in 1886. Mr. Francis is one of the assessors of taxes, and was colonel on Governor Littlefield's staff.
Irving Gaskill, son of Elisha and Sarah (Steere) Gaskill, was born in 1842, in Woonsocket, and was educated in the public schools and high school of Woonsocket. He followed the ice business for five years, the rest of the time farming. He served in the 9th Infantry and 3d R. I. Cavalry. He was married, in 1868, to Mary, daughter of James Phillips, of Scotland.
A. Gaulin, son of Nicholas and Marie (Lamothe) Gaulin, was born in 1845, in St. Hugues, Canada. He came to Woonsocket with his parents in 1867 and worked first in the mills for nine months, then in the grocery business for D. Sylvester for five years, and in 1872 started in the grocery business for himself, which he carried on about four- teen years. Since 1866 he has been in the real estate business. He was married in 1873 to Elmire, daughter of Felix Marcoux, of St. Barthelemi, Canada. He was elected tax collector in 1889.
Emerson Goddard, son of Emerson and Mary (Smith) Goddard, was born in 1819, in Orange, Mass. He learned the daguerreotype business in Boston, went from there to Fitchburgh, thence to Nan- tucket Island, and in 1846 came to Woonsocket, where he has since carried on the photograph business. He was the first moderator when the town was set off, for two years, was five years on school com- mittee and president one year. He started the Commandery in Woon- socket in 1867, was master of the Lodge and high priest of the Chap- ter, an officer in the Grand Lodge seventeen years, and deputy grand high priest in the Chapter five years. He married Jane E., daughter of Elisha Addington, of Worcester, Mass.
James R. Gould, son of James and Mary Ann (Springer) Gould, was born in 1829, in Providence, and was educated in the public schools. He came to Woonsocket in 1861, and has since been con- nected with the Woonsocket Baking Company as foreman. He married Harriet, daughter of Daniel Darling, of Blackstone, Mass., in 1849 .. He was elected councilman of Third ward upon the formation of the city government.
GEORGE H. GRANT .- Eliphus and Mary (Whipple) Grant were the grandparents of George H. Grant. His father, Arunah Grant, mar- ried Eliza Darling of Wrentham, Mass. The children of this marriage
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are: William D., Charles E., George H. and several who died in youth. George H., the eldest of the living children, was born December 11th, 1837, in Woonsocket, where with the exception of brief intervals he has since resided. His education was begun at the public schools, from which he entered the Smithfield Seminary in North Scituate and later graduated from the Woonsocket High School. Desiring to become master of a self-supporting trade, he entered the machine shops of Edward Harris and spent three years as an apprentice to the trade of a machinist. He then found employment in Woonsocket, and afterward in Providence.
In 1861, while engaged in the former town, during the outbreak of the late civil war, he entered the service as lieutenant of Company K, First Regiment Rhode Island Volunteers, and participated in the battle of Bull Run. Returning at the expiration of his enlistment period of three months, he raised a company, which was merged into the Fifth Regiment Heavy Artillery, known as Company D, of which he became captain. He was present at the battles of Roanoke Island, Newbern and at the taking of Fort Macon.
Mr. Grant was compelled by ill-health to resign, and on returning to his native town resumed his trade, having soon after been made foreman of the machine shops and foundry of Edward Harris. Three years later he accepted an engagement with the Groton Manufactur- ing Company as foreman of their machine shops, and continued this relation for one year, after which he became the superintendent of the mills. In 1883 this industry was reorganized as the Eagle Mills, of which he is the superintendent.
Mr. Grant has been a lifelong and ardent republican. He has been for several years a member of the town council, and a portion of this time its president. On the incorporation of Woonsocket as a city, he had the honor of being elected its first mayor, which office he now holds. He is a member of Morning Star Lodge, No. 13, F. & A. M., and Union Chapter, No. 5; of Washington Lodge, No. 1269, Knights of Honor; of Woonsocket Lodge, No. 10, I.O.O.F., and of Smith Post, No. 9, G.A.R., all of Woonsocket. He worships with the congregation of the Universalist church.
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