USA > Rhode Island > Memorial encyclopedia of the state of Rhode Island > Part 12
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He married, at Neponset, Massachusetts, February 5, 1874, Fannie Emily Wilbar, daughter of Jason and Sarah Emily (Standish) Wilbar. Her mother was a direct descendant of Miles Standish, of the Mayflower colony, first captain of the military forces of the Plymouth colony, and immortalized by the poet Longfellow in his "Courtship of Miles Standish." As Priscilla Alden's daughter married a son of Miles Standish, Mrs. Bowen is a direct descendant also of Priscilla Alden. Mrs. Bowen survives her hus- band, residing at the old home in Central Falls, No. 270 Central street.
Jacob Mott, Jr.
D URING the lifetime of his father, also Jacob Mott, father and son added senior and junior to their names. Jacob Mott, Sr., died in 1886, and the appellation junior clung to his son until death. Jacob Mott, to whose memory this sketch is dedicated, was of the eighth generation of his family in America, and with the exception of the founder, Adam Mott, and Benjamin Mott, of the sixth generation, all his paternal ancestors bore the name Jacob.
Adam Mott, the founder, was born in 1596 in England, came to this country in 1635, a passenger on the ship "Defense," bringing testimony of his conformity to the discipline of the established church of England. His second wife, Sarah Mott, one of her children by her first husband, and sev- eral of his children by his first wife, accompanied him. He was admitted a freeman of Roxbury, Massachusetts, May 25, 1636, he and his wife joining the Roxbury church the same year. Later he moved to Hingham, Massa- chusetts, where he was granted land, and in 1638 was of Portsmouth, Rhode Island, and admitted an inhabitant of the island of Aquidneck. He was made a freeman of Portsmouth, March 16, 1641, and was one of those ap- pointed to lay out land there, and died in 1661.
The line of descent is through Jacob Mott, a child of his first wife, born in 1621, and his wife, Joanna (Slocum) Mott, who was a Friend preacher. Their son, Jacob (2) Mott, born December 13, 1661, and his first wife Cas- sandra (Southwick) Mott ; their son, Jacob (3) Mott, born October 8, 1690, and his wife, Mary (Easton) Mott; their son, Jacob (4) Mott, born in 1722, and his wife, Hannah (Weaver) Mott, their son, Benjamin Mott, born January 1, 1758, and his wife, Sarah (Chase) Mott; their son, Jacob (5) Mott, born January 21, 1804, and his first wife, Eliza (Anthony) Mott; their son, Jacob (6) Mott. Portsmouth remained the family seat of all during these the years 1638-1849, and in each generation the family was prominent in town, church and State. They were usually landowners and farmers. Jacob (5) Mott and Jacob (6) Mott both being born at the homestead farm in Portsmouth, a property that remained in the family name until sold by Jacob (6) Mott.
Jacob (6) Mott, known as junior, was born at the homestead on west main road, Portsmouth, Rhode Island, December 21, 1831, died in Provi- dence, Rhode Island, October 16, 1900, fourth child of Jacob (5) and Eliza (Anthony) Mott. He was educated in the public schools, and until his eighteenth year remained at home. In 18.19 he located in Providence, a city that was his home and the seat of his business activities during the half cen- tury which followed. His first situation was as clerk and student in the drug store of Henry H. Burrington, on High street, where he learned the business and became a duly qualified druggist. After leaving Mr. Burring- ton, he was engaged by A. J. Smith, a druggist on Westminster street, and continued in his employ until he entered the business world as a proprietor.
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Jaroh Mott, Jr.
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He purchased the store of Pardon Sheldon, corner of Westminster and Aborn streets, and conducted that enterprise successfully for several years ; then sold and repurchased an established business at Olneyville, there con- ducting a drug store for about ten years, having as partner during a part of that period, John S. Howland.
He acquired large outside interests and about the year 1880 he retired from mercantile life to attend to his private business affairs. He was wholly devoted to his business, his only other absorbing interest being in his home and family, for he was very quiet and domestic in his tastes. He took little interest in politics, clubs or societies, but did have a high regard for the ties of friendship, and possessed a high sense of honor. He had many friends, and in commercial circles was regarded as a man of integrity and high prin- ciple. Mr. Mott married, October 13, 1868, in Providence, Ada F. Irons, born in that city, March 1, 1844, who survives him, residing at 12 Sycamore street, Providence, the old Irons homestead. She is a daughter of Samuel and Sarah (Aldrich) Irons, her father a successful business man of Provi- dence in his day ; junior member of the extensive tanning firm of Anthony & Irons. Two children were born to Jacob and Ada F. (Irons) Mott, Sara E., who married Albert W. Lawrence, and resides at Portsmouth, Rhode Island, and Frederic R., who married Susie May Gardiner, and resides at Edgewood.
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eorge Herbert Fowler
G EORGE HERBERT FOWLER, late of Pawtucket, Rhode Island, belongs to a type not uncommon in this wide-awake, energetic community, not uncommon absolutely, even in the highest form exemplified by him, among the many millions of this great country, but relatively it is rare, relatively it is exceptional and would be exceptional anywhere. His years, though they were not more than forty-three in number, were thronged with successful accomplishment and made bright by the regard and admiration of his associates.
Born July 16, 1852, at Northbridge, Massachusetts, Mr. Fowler was a son of George D. and Abigail (Adams) Fowler, themselves old and re- spected residents of the place. The residence of the family in Northbridge did not, however, continue long after the birth of George Herbert, for at the age of two years he was taken by his parents to Barre, Massachusetts, in which town he passed the years of childhood and grew into man's estate. Of course, coming there at so early a period, his memory of a former experi- ence was not permanent, so that all his early associations were with Barre, where at the local schools he gained the early portion of his education. At the age of sixteen he left these local institutions and went to Worcester, Massachusetts, where he entered the Worcester Academy. It was the inten- tion of young Mr. Fowler-an intention in which he was supported by his parents-to take up a technical mechanical occupation and for the pursuit of this objective he soon perceived that the course of education at the new school was not so well adapted. He, therefore, remained there but a few weeks and then entered the Worcester Polytechnic Institute and graduated with the class of 1873. He had in the meantime showed himself a remark- ably capable scholar and left the school possessed of an unusually competent knowledge of mechanical engineering. It was in the year preceding his graduation that he had an experience in religion that affected him very powerfully and left its impress upon him for the remainder of his life. It was during a visit to his home that he was converted by the evangelist, John Potter, who was at that time holding a series of meetings at Barre. Upon his return to Worcester he joined Plymouth Church, of which the Rev. George W. Phillips was then pastor. After the completion of his studies he spent a short time at home, but being anxious to engage in the active busi- ness of life he made a short tour of some of the New England cities for the purpose of choosing that one which promised most advancement in the line of work he had chosen. Providence, Rhode Island, was the the one he finally selected and shortly after, before the close of 1873, he had secured a position as draughtsman in a small machine shop there. He soon made a reputation for himself for skill in his work and the following year was given a better position with the much larger concern of the Providence Tool Company, his task being of the same character. He remained seven years with this com- pany and won the highest esteem and good will from his employers who
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wrote him a letter and presented him with a handsome testimonial in the shape of a box of drawing instruments, on the occasion of his leaving their service in 1881.
It was while still with this company that Mr. Fowler made the acquaint- ance of Mr. George H. Webb, an acquaintance which proved of great assist- ance to Mr. Fowler in his rapid upward career. Mr. Webb was at that time in the employ of William H. Haskell & Company, manufacturers of bolts and nuts, where he had been since 1866, but in 1881 he severed his connec- tion with this large firm and took up the building of bolt and nut machinery on his own account, gaining two large contracts for the installation of such machinery, one with the firm of Cole Brothers and one with the Providence, now the Rhode Island, Tool Company. It was Mr. Webb's desire that he should have the assistance of Mr. Fowler in the making of plans for this machinery, as he admired the young man greatly and was fully imbued with respect for his skill and competence. He therefore approached him on the subject and the proposition made by him was readily accepted by Mr. Fowler. This was the beginning of a long and close friendship and business association between the two men. Sometime afterwards, when Mr. Webb was working to found the Pawtucket Manufacturing Company, he induced Mr. Fowler to go into the venture with him, and upon the organization of that concern he was made a member of the company and elected to the double office of secretary and treasurer. This was in 1882, thirteen years before his death, but in that time he had won the regard of all his associates and established a reputation as a most capable business man. The service rendered by him to the company was great and his opinion and advice bore weight among his fellow officers and directors.
Not alone in the business world was Mr. Fowler prominent, but in many other aspects of the community's life as well, especially in the social and fraternal. He was a very prominent member of the Masonic order and asso- ciated with many of its subdivisions, belonging to Union Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, in which he held all the offices up to and includ- ing senior warden; Pawtucket Chapter, No. 4, Royal Arch Masons; Paw- tucket Council, No. 2, Royal and Select Masters; Holy Sepulchre Com- mandery, No. 8, Knights Templar; Aleppo Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; and the Consistory, Sovereign Princes of the Royal Secret. The deep religious feeling which had been first awakened when, as a youth, he had listened to the eloquence of John Potter, the evangelist, never left him to the day of his death, and his religious beliefs occupied a more important position in his thoughts than is usual to-day. He joined the Beneficent Con- gregational Church of Providence during his residence there, and never withdrew from that membership, although, after removing to Pawtucket, he attended the church of the same denomination there.
On December 7, 1887, Mr. Fowler was united in marriage with Lula A. Reynolds, of North Kingstown, a daughter of Allen and Elizabeth S. (John- son) Reynolds. Mrs. Fowler survives her husband. Mr. Fowler was a man of a very strong domestic instinct, and his great happiness was found in the intimate intercourse of his own home and household. It will be most appro- priate to end this brief appreciation with a selection from among the multi-
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tudinous tributes paid him at the time of his death by the organizations with which he was connected, his associates and the press of the entire region. The Pawtucket Manufacturing Company, of which he had been a member, passed the following resolutions :
We the officers and members of the Pawtucket Manufacturing Company, deeply deploring the loss by death of our treasurer, George H. Fowler, desire to place on record some slight testimonial of our regard for him. As an officer of the company, he ever labored to advance its interests, and to lay a firm foundation of business principle and honesty, as a basis of future prosperity. During the fourteen years of our business rela- tions he continually displayed the same courteons consideration of the opinions of others, and an earnest desire to conform his own convictions to what was deemed a wiser course by his associates, and he gladly welcomed the counsel and advice of riper years and experience. We shall miss his cheerful, hopeful presence in our councils, and feel that his own particular place among us, must remain forever vacant. Especially will this be true of our agent and general manager, with whom he has borne the "brunt of battle," standing by his side in daily companionship through these long years, in rela- tions of intimacy rarely equalled in the business world. To him will appeal most power- fully the unused desk and vacant chair, although they will remain an inspiring reininder of the "felt presence" of one, the keynote of whose character was "faithfulness in all things."
The employees of the Pawtucket Manufacturing Company as a body also expressed their appreciation of him and, since a word of praise from those who work under us is perhaps the greatest compliment we can receive, it is given in full :
As employes of the Pawtucket Manufacturing Company, of which the late George H. Fowler was treasurer, we wish to voice the general feeling of loss among us. As our employer, he was thoughtful and considerate, and placed our welfare and advancement beyond any selfish personal interest. His kindly bearing and encouraging words remain with us in grateful memory, and we feel that we have lost a friend.
In the course of an address delivered at his funeral the Rev. Alexander McGregor, pastor of the Pawtucket Congregational Church, which Mr. Fowler had so long attended, said in part :
With painful frequency the angel of death has been visiting us of late in this parish, removing so many of our most desirable young men, heads of families. To-day, again, we are met to pay the last tribute of respect as we discharge these sad offices to our esteemed friend and brother, the late George H. Fowler. The suddenness of his removal adds to the intensity of the blow. To-day is but the seventh day of January, and on December sixteenth, I think, apparently in his usual health, his graceful form and sober demeanor arrested attention, as, in common with his brethren in office, he received with kindly face and hand, the offerings of the people in the house of the Lord. But for the belief that as his service ceased here below, he entered upon service in the upper sanctuary, the circumstances would overwhelm us with unutterable grief. No words of mine are necessary in this presence to acquaint you with what manner of man he was. Through the years, in public and in private, he has been making his own history, and of no one could it be said with greater justice than of him, the more known, the greater was he loved. To his native gifts he added a remarkable devotion 'in the pursuit of his chosen calling, which with a rare affability of manner and integrity of soul, secured for him through the years the highest respect and love of all, but especially of his associates in business and their employees.
ماد هتكسير ينايه
Alden Bradford Knapp
Alden Bradford Anapp
IN OCTOBER, 1892, in his sixty-ninth year, Alden B. Knapp passed from earthly scenes leaving a memory yet as fragrant as the flowers which bloom at his grave. In the words of one who knew him well, he was "A public spirited man of excel- lent principles and habits; a man who made friends and kept them, one whose word was as his bond, genial, kind hearted and liberal, a man in whose death Providence lost a valuable citizen. His home life was ideal."
He was one of the early manufacturers of Providence, a city which had been his home for half a century, learning his trade, becoming an expert and managing superintendent of the great Barstow Stove Manufacturing Plant. He had also a financial interest in the Barstow Stove Company and from that and other profitable investments lie acquired a handsome property. He resided from 1861 until his death in 1892 at the beautiful home, No. 98 Hos- pital street, where he indulged in his love for fruit growing, especially grapes and pears .. He planted the trees and set the vines, experimenting continually, having at one time twenty-seven varieties of grapes growing. He was very successful in his fruit growing, winning many first prizes at the exhibitions of the horticultural societies of which he was a member. This was his recreation only, his main concern was his business and to that and the home he created he was wholly devoted. His only son died young and the wealth of his great loving heart was then bestowed upon his step- daughter, Abby M. Fisher, a child of ten years at the time of her mother's second marriage. The years but strengthened the loving friendship be- tween father and daughter, he bestowing upon her the love of a childless father, she the love of a fatherless child. Death only sundered the ties of love that bound them and to Miss Fisher much of the material for this trib- ute is due.
Alden Bradford Knapp was born at Taunton, Massachusetts, in 1823, died after a lingering illness at his home, No. 98 Hospital street, Providence, Rhode Island, in October, 1892. He was educated in public school, and spent the first eighteen years of his life in his native town. About 1841 he first came to Providence, securing employment with the High Street Fur- nace Works, whose shops are now the site of the Builders' Iron Foundry. He acquired a thorough knowledge of furnace making and later learned the art of hollow ware moulding under Stillman Perkins. He worked for a time with Louis Meade, but later Mr. Knapp, who had become an expert moulder, returned to the employ of the Builders' Iron Foundry, but subse- quently, by an arrangement with his employers, his services were secured by A. C. Barstow for three months. The art of hollow ware moulding was then in its infancy in New England, iron tea kettles and similar utensils soon becoming very popular. Mr. Knapp was very expert at this new branch of the moulder's trade and later Mr. Barstow secured his services permanently. He continued with him four years, then broke in health and was compelled
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alden Bradford Knapp
to retire to lighter employment. He obtained a position as clerk in a grocery store, but his duties were so arranged that most of his time was spent on the delivery wagon.
In two years his health was so restored by this open air treatment that he returned to the employ of A. C. Barstow & Company as foreman of the moulding department. He so continued for several years, then became general superintendent of the Barstow Stove Company, under which name the business had been incorporated. At the time of incorporation Mr. Knapp secured an interest in the company and as superintendent of the entire plant was the practical manager, his thorough knowledge of the moulding and casting departments rendering him invaluable. He con- tinued as superintendent until his death in 1892, his service with the Bar- stow plant as a firm and corporation extending over a period of many years. He was a good business man, a wise manager and had the happy faculty of handling workmen without the slightest friction. All respected him and trusted his fairness in all the relations existing between employer and employe. He continued in the harness until his last lingering illness, his sole recreation being his fruits, his flowers and his home of which he was inordinately fond.
He took a deep interest in young men and was one of the first to become identified with the Young Men's Christian Association in Provi- dence. He was very popular, not only in his own shops, but wherever known, and he possessed not alone the faculty of making friends but of ever retaining them. On the day of his funeral a large delegation from the Bar- stow Stove Company attended in a body and the entire plant closed for the day in reverence to his memory.
Mr. Knapp married Fannie, daughter of Gershom and Bathsheba Wel- den, of one of the "Cape" families of Massachusetts, and widow of Tyrell Fisher, who died leaving his widow then under twenty-five years of age with three children, a fourth, Abby M. Fisher, born shortly after her father's. death. Fannie Welden Fisher had been a widow about ten years when she became the wife of Alden B. Knapp and to them a son, Bradford Alden Knapp, was born, who died in infancy. No other children were born to them and the great father-heart went out to the step-daughter, Abby M., whom he loved and cherished as his own until death parted them. Miss Fisher continues her residence at the old home, No. 98 Hospital street, where the happiest hours of Mr. Knapp's life were spent.
George Russell Loud
A LTHOUGH of Massachusetts birth George R. Loud was a resident of Providence, Rhode Island, during the forty-four years preceding his death, in fact his entire business life was spent in Providence and with the Boston store, beginning as assistant to Mr. Troup in the bookkeeping department, advancing steadily, and on the death of Mr. Troup in 1895 succeeding him as treasurer of the Callender, McAuslan & Troup Company. Honorable and upright in all his business relations his private life was one of usefulness in the church and as a citizen. He was deeply interested in all good works, and in association with his wife, the devoted president of the Ladies' Aid Society of Trinity Union Methodist Episcopal Church for a decade, worked for the upbuilding of that church for many years. He was held in high regard by his business associates and by his brethren of the church, no unworthy deed marring the perfect record of his life.
George Russell Loud was born at South Weymouth, Massachusetts, November 29, 1849, died at his home, No. 603 Broad street, Providence, Rhode Island, August 20, 1914. He was a son of John A. and Betsy (Hunt) Loud, the Louds being old residents of the Weymouth district. He was edu- cated in the Weymouth public schools, completing his preparation for the duties of life in his home schools. In 1870, at the age of twenty-one years, he located in the city of Providence, Rhode Island, and there accepted his first important business position. His first employer was the Boston Store Company, Mr. Troup then being head bookkeeper, Mr. Loud becoming his assistant. He was advanced in rank as the years passed and when in 1895 Mr. Troup died, Mr. Loud, so long his assistant and chief aide, was chosen treasurer of the Callender, McAuslan & Troup Company. Twenty-five years had then elapsed since his first entrance to the business world, and for nine- teen years more he filled the responsible position of treasurer. He pos- sessed strong business qualifications and was one of the most careful and conscientious men. He was an important factor in the upbuilding of a suc- cessful mercantile corporation, his associates testifying in glowing terms to the value of his service, the soundness of his judgment and the reliance they placed in him. Mr. Loud's home life was complete in its happiness, and with the exception of his church work there was no interest strong enough to compete with the attractions of his home. He was a member of Trinity Union Methodist Episcopal Church for thirty years, was treasurer of the Sunday school for eighteen years, and treasurer of the board of trustees for a much longer period. He was one of the strong pillars of the church, and by his regular attendance in the family pew, he was an inspiration to his pastor. He ever had a word of encouragement, and a helping hand for young men and many have been helped to better things through his interest.
Mr. Loud married, in 1874, Eliza A., a daughter of George and Ruth Innman, who survives him with three children: Mabel A .; Harry B, who
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George Russell Loud
married Helen Robinson, and has two sons, Edgar Russell and John Al- dridge Loud; and Bessie A., a teacher in the English High School.
The following testimonials from the quarterly conference of his church and from his associates in business display the feeling entertained toward Mr. Loud by his brethren :
Providence, R. I., September 19, 1914.
My Dear Mrs. George R. Loud :-
In accordance with the unanimous vote of the Second Quarterly Conference of Trinity Union Methodist Episcopal Church held this day I desire to express our appre- ciation of the valuable services rendered by your husband, our brother, George R. Loud, during his long membership in the Church and our sense of sorrow in your bereavement. Mr. Loud for many years was Treasurer of the Board of Trustees of our Church and always faithfully and gladly performed whatever duties came to him. His ever vigilant and shrewd watchfulness for the interest of the Church was tempered by such kindliness of spirit that he was loved by all. The Church loses a most valued member, we of the Quarterly Conference lose a friend ; whom we loved for his kindly qualities, whom we shall ever cherish and respect for his steadfast and strong character. We find occasion for satisfaction and thanksgiving in the fact that we appreciated him while he was with us, and did not withhold from him the knowledge that he had won our deep respect, our warm affection and our fullest confidence. By reason of his amiable disposition Mr. Loud won the affection of all those who had the good fortune to become acquainted with his splendid manly qualities, and his death has saddened all. Therefore you may have consolation in knowing that your loss is also shared by the Church and its Officiary, for the development of which he devoted time, energy and faithful service. We extend to you, and the members of your family, our deepest sympathy in this sore bereavement.
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