USA > Rhode Island > Memorial encyclopedia of the state of Rhode Island > Part 11
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45
-
....
Den Abrackund
More. George Ao. Rickard.
Brorge Alfred Rickard
HIS branch of the Rickard family came to Rhode Island from the town of Pomfret, Windham county, near Brooklyn, Connecticut, where Silas Rickard, grandfather of George A. Rickard, was born February 7, 1758, and died May 1, 1846. There too his son, Alfred Rickard, was born December 9, 1798, died in Providence, Rhode Island, September 4, 1834. He conducted a private school on Clifford street, Provi- dence, for many years and passed away in his youth full of honors. He married Rebecca Carpenter, who bore him two children, Mary Eliza, and George Alfred, to whose memory this sketch is dedicated.
George Alfred Rickard was born in Providence, Rhode Island, May 3, 1834, died in the city of his birth, November 30, 1898. His father died when he was but six months' old and his two maiden aunts, Eliza and Polly Rick- ard, took him to live on the old ancestral home farm, the Rickard farm, near Brooklyn, Connecticut, and he continued to live with his two aunts until he was about seven years of age, when his mother married Stephen Phillips, at one time overseer of the poor of Providence, and George Alfred Rickard returned to Providence to reside with his mother and made his residence in Providence until his death. He had attended country school in Connecti- cut, and for some time attended public school in Providence. When he was twelve years of age he became errand boy in a grocery store on Benefit street, Providence, kept by a Mr. Hamlin. He remained with Mr. Hamlin several years, becoming his trusted and confidential clerk and finally suc- ceeded him in business. He conducted a very successful business, but hav- ing an opportunity to purchase the Preston Grocery on North Main street, he sold his Benefit street store to James Blair and secured the larger, better store and location for himself. He continued a prosperous business on North Main street for ten years, then retired and lived until a stroke of paralysis ended his active life, although he lived for several years after the first stroke. His life was a most creditable one, as he had built his own for- tune, being left fatherless when a baby. He had risen through industry and the practice of those old virtues, frugality and uprightness, had met the lack of early school by self study and had lived an upright, manly life, devoted to his home and family. He served the city as member of council and bore his full share of the burdens imposed by good citizenship.
Mr. Rickard married (first) Amelia M. Fenner, born September 19, 1835, died May 2, 1872, daughter of Welcome and Betsey Fenner. He mar- ried (second) December 22, 1873, Lenora F. Kimball, born in Providence, May 31, 1836, daughter of Rufus Warren and Phoebe (Matthewson) Kim- ball, her father a meat dealer, of Providence, but born in Amherst, Massa- chusetts. Rufus W. and Phoebe Kimball were the parents of nine children, the only survivor now being, Lenora F., widow of George Alfred Rickard. She has a daughter, Mabel Amelia Rickard, born in Providence, September 13, 1878, is a graduate of Providence High School, class of 1897, and is her mother's constant companion, they living together. Both are attendants of the Unitarian church, as was the husband and father.
henry Edmaros Lathrop
A WORTHY son of worthy sires, Henry Edwards Lathrop cast no stain upon an honored name, and was very active in promoting the social and moral welfare of his home city of Providence. With but an ordinary school education, he perfected himself in character and in understanding and general information by careful reading. His youth was not given to dissipation or idle frivolity, and he ever sought to improve his condition, socially, mentally, morally and financially. Without the help of outside influences he conceived, mapped out and executed a career of unusual usefulness. To his friends ever loyal, to his family a lov- ing and kind husband and father, to his neighbors the Christian gentleman, he earned and enjoyed the good wishes and esteem of all who came in touch with his most useful life. He grew up under happy influences, having before his eyes a rare example of domestic felicity, refinement, culture and the many graces of Christian character. His life was conspicuous for its activ- ity, industry, integrity, devotion to his family, cheerfulness of spirit, and conscientious performance of duty in every station of life to which it pleased God to call him. The Lathrop family is among the oldest of the Colonial families who settled in New England. Members of this family suffered persecution and arrest for expressing and living according to their honest religious convictions and secured immunity from further molestation on their promise to leave the country. The Lathrop coat-of-arms is as follows: Gyronny of eight, azure and gules, an eagle, displayed, argent. Crest: A game cock, proper.
(I) Rev. John Lathrop, the American ancestor of this family, was one of those who suffered in the above-mentioned manner, and his first wife died while he was in prison. He was a minister in Egerton, Kent, England, and removed to London in 1624, where he became the pastor of a Congrega- tional church. He and forty-three members of his church were imprisoned by order of the archbishop, April 29, 1632, because they practiced the teach- ings of the New Testament. Upon promise to leave the country they were released, and Rev. Lathrop came to New England with his family in 1634, and shortly afterward organized a church at Scituate, Massachusetts. He was admitted freeman of Plymouth Colony, 1636-37, and two years later removed with the larger part of the membership of his church to Barnstable. In Pope's "Pioneers of Massachusetts," we find: "He married a second wife whose name is not on our records, who came here with him, joined the church, June 14, 1635, and survived him." He was a man of great piety and energy, and did much to further the secular as well as the spiritual welfare of the colony.
(II) Samuel Lathrop, son of Rev. John Lathrop, was born in England and came to Scituate with his father in 1634. With his father he removed to Barnstable, then he removed to Boston, where he combined the occupa- tion of house building with that of farming on an extensive scale. Subse- quently he returned to Barnstable, in 1648 removed to Pequot (New Lon-
Lathrop.
97
Denry Cowards Lathrop
don), Connecticut, and in the latter place was one of the judges of the local court organized in 1649. He located in Norwich in 1668, where he for a tinie held the offices of constable and townsman, and died in 1700. He mar- ried in Barnstable, November 28, 1644, Elizabeth Scudder, who received her dismissal from the church in Boston, November 10, 1644, in order to join that in Barnstable.
(III) Samuel (2) Lathrop, second son of Samuel (1) and Elizabeth (Scudder) Lathrop, was born in March, 1650, and settled in Norwich, where he was a prominent citizen, member of the first church, and died December 9, 1732. He married, in November, 1675, Hannah Adgate, born October, 1653, died September IS, 1695. Their youngest child was Nathaniel Lath- rop, born July 15, 1690, resided in New London, on the farm of his great- grandfather until 1735, when he sold it and removed to Norwich. There lie died March 20, 1774. He was a soldier in the Louisburg expedition, and was commissioned lieutenant, December 12, 1745. He married, April 25, 1717, Ann Backus, daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Huntington) Backus, born January 27, 1695, in Norwich, died August 24, 1761. Zebadiah Lath- rop, third son of this marriage, was born in 1725, in Norwich, and died there November 14, 1793. He married Clorinda, daughter of Rev. Simon and Eunice (Edwards), Backus, of Windsor, Connecticut, born October 3, 1730, in Newington, died October 25, 1803, in Norwich. Their second son was Zebadiah Lathrop, born 1738, a joiner by trade, who settled in Middletown, Connecticut, and there died in January, 1804. He married, December II, 1783, Sarah Starr, born May 1, 1759, died June 9, 1848, daughter of William and Sarah (Roberts) Starr, of Middletown. The second son of this mar- riage was Joseph Edwards Lathrop, born February 15, 1796, in Norwich, living in 1873, at Middletown, Connecticut. He was but twelve years of age when his parents settled in that town, and there he spent the remainder of his life. He was a very prominent man, conducting a private school to fit boys for college, and was a justice of the peace for sixty years, widely known and highly respected and esteemed. He married in Middletown, November 9, 1825, Lucy Kelly, born January 17, 1798, in that town. They were the parents of Henry Edwards Lathrop.
Henry Edwards Lathrop was born November 28, 1833, at Middletown, and died in Providence, Rhode Island, January 31, 1871. His father died in Middletown, Connecticut, in ISSI. His wife had died several years before at the home of her son in Providence and after her death her husband moved back to Middletown. His education was cared for by his talented father, and he was fitted for college, but finally decided not to pursue a higher edu- cation, and engaged in business instead. Before attaining his majority he went to Waterbury, Connecticut, where he became clerk in a hardware store, and continued six years. In 1856 he removed to Providence, Rhode Island, in the employ of the Gorham Manufacturing Company, where he began as a clerk. After two years, by his assiduity and intelligent interest in the business he gained promotion, and was made superintendent of the plant. To him is very largely due the credit for building up the establishment, and he continued as its superintendent up to the time of his death. Mr. Lathrop was a man of the most upright character, and was deeply interested in church work. He was a charter member of the Central Congregational R I-Vol 1-7
.
98
henry Edwards Lathrop
Church of Providence, wliose works were largely indebted to his earnest efforts for their success. All of his family are identified with that body. While he always felt an intelligent and warm interest in the progress of his native land, and abhorred corruption in public places, sought ever to encour- age honesty and character in the conduct of public affairs, he did not mingle greatly in political movements, although he was an earnest Republican in principle, and never failed to register his opinions in election. Next to his home the church was the dearest spot to him on earth. His home was an ideal one, and here he was ever found a hospitable neighbor, a faithful and devoted husband, and a most kind and indulgent father. He knew how to combine firmness with kindness, and his children were reared in the strict- est of moral influences. Happily they never sought to stray from the pre- cepts laid down by their kind and loving father, and the family was ever united and most happy and congenial.
On May 23, 1859, Mr. Lathrop was united in marriage with Harriet Newell Stocking, born May 23, 1836, in Waterbury, Connecticut, daughter of John Miles and Emeline (Newell) Stocking, of that city, the former a native of Goshen, Connecticut, born March 16, 1811, and the latter of Farm- ington, Connecticut, born October 25, 1804. John Miles Stocking was a manufacturer of Waterbury. His daughter, Mrs. Lathrop, graduated at Mt. Holyoke College in 1855, and was ever the intelligent and faithful helpmate of her worthy husband. To this devoted couple were born three children: I. Lucy Newell, born in Providence, now residing in that city with her mother. 2. William Gilbert, of Shelton, Connecticut, who graduated from Brown University and Yale Theological School; for the past twenty-five years he has been engaged in the Christian ministry, and had charge of the Congregational church at Shelton, but in 1916 moved to Mt. Carmel, Con- necticut, where he has charge of the Congregational church; he married Helen Spicer, of Westerly, Rhode Island, and they have three children : Henry Monroe, Albert Spicer and Frederic William. 3. Helen Sanders, died August 12, 1914.
Mr. Lathrop was a man to be revered and respected. While upholding to the last his opinions and judgment, he was ever charitable towards the ideas of others, and did not attempt to build up any of his own ideals by tearing down those of other people. At his death it was written by his associates that there passed "a man of sterling worth, a friend to the right, a good citizen, and a real friend." He was notably a generous man, of deeply sympathetic nature, and his contributions to charitable and religious objects were always liberal in the extreme. He was a man of broad and lib- eral views. When the trials and sorrows and disappointments of this life were ended, he was enabled to realize the hope "To see my Pilot face to face, when I have crossed the bar." Guided through life by this hope, strong in his faith to the end, he so lived that men could find no smirch upon his name or reputation, and bore to his grave the loving respect and regard of his community, his business associates, and all who were privileged to know him. Those who knew him intimately admired his strong will and his un- tiring energy, his broad sense of justice to his fellowmen, his integrity, and good faith in all things, and especially his supersensitive sense of honor in all matters involving honesty and good faith.
William Henry Pope
N 1878 there stood a mill at what is now known as Esmond, Rhode Island, then surrounded by a small settlement of mill operatives. William Henry Pope bought the mill and vil- lage, devoting himself to its upbuilding. He named the village after his native Massachusetts town, Enfield, but now changed to Esmond, and saw it become one of the most prosperous of Rhode Island villages. In 1902 Mr. Pope retired from business and the mill he had built up to large proportions was closed. A few months prior to his death the mill and all his property there was sold, but for a quarter of a century he caused the wheels of industry to turn in Enfield and created there a seat of great prosperity. He acquired very large railroad and banking interests and was one of the foremost business men of his day, but never would accept political office. Said a friend: "Who of all that went to him for advice was ever disappointed in the final outcome? Under an impatient manner and an air of desire of being rid of the whole subject were hidden a careful listening and interest and in a day or so there came from him an opinion vested in cautious language. If it was a recom- mendation, t'was well to follow it; if a warning t'was equally well to heed it. Of his boyish generous nature how many of us remember his open hand and his heartfelt sympathy?"
William Henry Pope was born in Enfield, Hampshire county, Massa- chusetts, July 18, 1840, died at his home in Providence, Rhode Island, Feb- ruary 16, 1907, son of Ichabod and Serena (Woods) Pope. His mother was a sister of Josiah Woods, founder and donor of Woods Library, Amherst College. His father, Ichabod Pope, was a manufacturer and for many years served as justice of the peace. Serena (Woods) Pope died in 1846, her son then but a boy of six. Ichabod Pope late in life retired from business and spent his last years with his son, William H., in Providence. He had another son, Charles Pope, and a daughter, Martha, both deceased.
William H. Pope, the youngest son, attended private school in Enfield until fifteen years of age, then for a time lived in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, with his aunt, Mrs. Frank Pratt, later living with an uncle in Providence where he attended private school, Prospect street public grammar school and Scholfields Commercial School. He completed his education and was variously engaged until 1863, then, at the age of twenty-three, he became associated as office man with Albert Gallup, then head of Gallup Brothers, cotton manufacturers, with whom he continued for several years until Mr. Gallup moved to New York City. Those were years of particular benefit to Mr. Pope as under excellent influences he developed a business reputation and gained an experience most valuable, as he had won confidential position with Mr. Gallup who appreciated and rewarded his faithful and intelligent efforts. After Mr. Gallup moved to New York, Mr. Pope began business for himself, establishing a cotton brokerage business in 1871 and acting as agent for the Robert Watson Mills at Willimantic. For seven years he con-
ICO
William Dentp Dope
tinued a broker, meeting with abundant success, then entered the manufac- turing field. He purchased in 1878 the mill and village owned by the Smith- field Manufacturing Company at Allenville, Rhode Island, in the town of Smithfield, the first mill having been erected at that point in 1813 by Gov- ernor Philip Allen.
Mr. Pope renamed the village Enfield, after his birthplace, and there conducted a very successful business from the beginning, Enfield becoming one of the most prosperous of villages, growing as the mills grew and shar- ing in the success Mr. Pope attained. He was a wise, far-sighted manufac- turer and it was noted that his Enfield Mills kept running when other tex- tile mills of New England were obliged to close. He was deeply interested in the welfare of his employes and a strike at Enfield was unknown under his management. In 1902 he closed his Enfield mills to devote himself to his other business interests and a few years later they were sold. His first purchase of the Allen mill was made against the advice of his friends, as the mill was an old one, but he persisted and the old mill became one of the most modernly equipped, best managed and profitable cotton mills of the State. He was always very proud of the fact that in his nearly quarter of a century of ownership there had never been a strike at the mills, nor serious dis- affection.
Mr. Pope's other interests were exceedingly weighty and for forty years he maintained an office on Market Square, Providence. He was for over forty years treasurer of the Pawtuxet Valley Railroad Company ; was sec- retary-treasurer of the Providence & Springfield Railroad Company from 1892 until its absorption by consolidation ; for twenty years a director of the National Exchange Bank; the largest individual stockholder in the Union Railroad Company at one time; director of the Providence Telephone Com- pany from its organization ; director of the Providence Dry Dock & Marine Railway Company; secretary-treasurer of the Windham Manufacturing Company of Willimantic, Rhode Island, for several years; secretary of the Providence Press Company for a time, that company publishing the "Morn- ing Star" and "Evening Press" after its reorganization in 1880. In all these he was a living, vital force for he held no positions in which he was but a figure head. Strong minded and energetic, he cared only for business action and was so averse to public office that he never would allow his name to be used even as a possible candidate.
He was one of the charter members of the Narragansett Boat Club and was one of the most enthusiastic yachtsmen of the city. He was also one of the early members of the Squantum Association, member of the Com- mercial Club, the Home Market Club of Boston, the Hope Club of Provi- dence (four years treasurer and from 1885 to 1891 as member of the board of governors). In religious faith he was a Congregationalist, belonging to Central Church. He was very charitable, kindly hearted and held the esteem of all who knew him. Justice and uprightness marked his every transaction and his private life was without flaw. He possessed a wealth of friends and at his home dispensed a generous hospitality. He was very domestic in his tastes and found his greatest joy in his home. About two years prior to his
IOI
William Henry Dope
death he retired from business and gave himself unreservedly to the comforts of his home.
Mr. Pope married, September 27, 1888, Catherine Elizabeth, daughter of Andrew and Maria (Halcro) Robertson, of Montreal. Mrs. Pope sur- vives her husband, residing at No. 11 Young Orchard avenue, Providence.
At a meeting of the directors of the Providence Dry Dock & Marine Railway Company, held on April 10, 1907, it was voted that the following minute be entered upon our records :
The directors desire to express their deep sense of loss in the removal by death of their esteemed associate, William H. Pope, which occurred on the sixteenth of February last. Mr. Pope had served as a director of the Providence Dry Dock & Marine Railway Company since its organization, and was ever decply interested in its success. Always prompt and regular in his attendance at our mectings, his good judgment and business ability were of much value in conducting the affairs of the company. His genial and kindly face will be sadly missed at our gatherings. JOHN H. CADY, Secretary.
James edward Bomen
T HERE were few idle moments in the life of James E. Bowen, as he was a wage earner at the age of fifteen, a soldier at twenty-one, clerk, merchant, postmaster, and at the time of his death superintendent of Central Falls branch of the Pawtucket Post Office. He was a brave soldier, rising from the ranks to commissioned officer, a faithful postal official, diligent and successful in business, public spirited and loyal in his citizenship, and highly esteemed in Central Falls, where most of his mature life was passed. He was the embodiment of good nature, a welcome guest at any gathering, and carried everywhere the sunshine of a cheerful disposition. He preached the gospel of brotherhood, and manifested his sincerity by his many acts of kindness and the unfailing good-will he bore his fellow-men.
James Edward Bowen was born at Dedham, Massachusetts, November 5, 1841, died at his home, No. 270 Central street, Central Falls, Rhode Island, April 9, 1914. He was a son of Benjamin Bowen, of Rehoboth, Mas- sachusetts, and Lydia Matilda (Lewis) Bowen, of Griswold, Connecticut. When very young his parents moved to Dorchester, and there he was a scholar in the public schools until reaching the age of fifteen. He was engaged as a clerk in a mercantile house until August 12, 1862, when he enlisted as a private in Company H, Thirty-ninth Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. When Mr. Bowen enlisted he was a very slight young man, and for that reason he was not considered strong enough to fight, and being an expert penman he was placed in a clerical position in Washing- ton, and remained in that position until he was commissioned first lieuten- ant, being relieved of his clerical position when wounded soldiers were sent there for that purpose. He was assigned to duty with the Thirtieth Regi- ment United States Colored Troops, Army of the Potomac. He was en- gaged in some of the severe battles of the Civil War, including Antietam, Wilderness, Cold Harbor and others. At Cold Harbor, June, 1864, while his regiment was resisting a cavalry charge, he was trampled upon by the enemy's horses, and so severely wounded that he was compelled to resign from the service. A captain's commission had been awarded him, but he was compelled by his injuries to decline the honor, and on September 16, 1864, he was honorably discharged.
After returning from the army he was dispensary clerk in the hospital at Readville, Massachusetts, for a year, and was clerk in a grocery at Wey- mouth, Massachusetts, until 1868. He was employed for two years in the N. D. Whitney Company, dealers in hosiery and knit goods, and clerked for S. W. Hayden, of Dorchester. He formed a partnership with his father in 1873, and began business in Central Falls, Rhode Island, at the corner of Hawes and Central streets, purchasing the mercantile business of John Newell. Mr. Bowen, Sr., withdrew after a time, and in 1879 John E. Bowen sold out to George C. Stillman. With Brockton, Massachusetts, as head-
103
James Edward Bowen
quarters he spent two years as traveling salesman for F. B. Washburn & Company, wholesale confectioners, and in 1883 returned to Central Falls, which was ever afterward his home.
Mr. Bowen was deputy town clerk from 1884 until 1889, resigning to accept the appointment of postmaster of Central Falls made by President Harrison. He continued in that office until April 13, 1894, when he was suc- ceeded by President Cleveland's appointee. After surrendering the post- office to his successor Mr. Bowen was employed by the City Council as clerk, and also transcribed the records of the town of Lincoln. With the return of the Republican party to power he was appointed postmaster by President McKinley, serving from August 1, 1898,, until May II, 1909, being reap- pointed by President Roosevelt. In 1909 Pawtucket was made the central main office for that section of Rhode Island, the surrounding towns becom- ing branch offices, under the charge of a superintendent. Mr. Bowen was retained as superintendent of the Central Falls branch, about the only difference being the change in his title. During his years as postmaster free delivery was established in Central Falls, and the business of the office wonderfully increased. His record was an exceptionally fine one, and his standing with the department at Washington most honorable. He con- tinued as superintendent of the Central Falls office until his death. Mr. Bowen was a member of the Pawtucket Business Men's Association; Ballou Post, No. 3, Grand Army of the Republic, which he served as quartermaster, post historian and trustee; the Young Men's Christian Association of Paw- tucket and Central Falls; Malta Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; Pen- talpha Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, his Masonic bodies both in Weymouth, Massachusetts. He was an active member of Broad Street Baptist Church and was librarian of the Sunday school for many years. His wife was a teacher in the Sunday school for over eighteen years, and a prominent worker in the Woman's Foreign Missionary Society.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.