USA > Rhode Island > Memorial encyclopedia of the state of Rhode Island > Part 18
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Josiah Aldra Blake
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Josiah Allen Blahe
ing house, as selectman, sergeant of the militia, and was deputy to the Gen- eral Court in 1680-83-90-97. He died in Milton, September 3, 1703, aged eighty-three. The name of his first wife was Anna, and their son,, Samuel Blake, was born May 14, 1650, in Dorchester, Massachusetts, married Sarah, daughter of George and Susanna Macey, of Taunton, Massachusetts, and died in the latter town in 1719. It is probable that he was the father of Robert Blake, who lived in Wrentham, Massachusetts. Captain Robert Blake was born 1675-76, and died October 4, 1735, in Wrentham. He mar- ried, January 7, 1703, Sarah Guild, born June 2, 1683, daughter of John and Sarah (Fisher) Guild. Their son, Ensign Josiah Blake, born March 4, 1710, in Wrentham, died there February 25, 1795, in his eighty-fifth year. He married, March 3, 1737, Martha Cowell, baptized March 6, 1709, in Wren- tham. She was the mother of Deacon Philip Blake, born March 5, 1746, in Wrentham, died probably in Medway, Massachusetts. He married, March 12, 1778, Sarah Allen, born June 7, 1755, in Medfield, daughter of Elijah and Sarah (Morse) Allen. Their son, Josiah Blake, born April 16, 1782, in Medfield, lived and died in Medway. He was a machinist by occu- pation. He married, June 8, 1809, Mary Barber, born September 13, 1789, in Medway, where she died December 7, 1830. Children: Josiah Allen, mentioned below; William, born October 20, 1812, died December 25, 1834; James Partridge, June 20, 1816, lived in Poughkeepsie, New York, and Waterbury, Connecticut; Elial Barber, May 24, 1818, lived in New York City.
Josiah Allen Blake, eldest child of Josiah and Mary (Barber) Blake, was born January 9, 1811, in Medway, and died in Providence, Rhode Island, in December, 1890. He grew up in Medway and received his education in Franklin, Massachusetts. It was his desire to become a minister, but a col- lege education did not seem to be within his reach, and under the instruc- tions of his father he learned the trade of machinist. After becoming an adept in this line he found ready employment in various places. For some years he was employed in a pin manufacturing establishment in Waterbury, Connecticut. He was called to Providence, Rhode Island, by the jewelry manufacturing concern of the Gorhams, to take care of some special work which was expected to consume about six weeks. For thirty years he con- tinued in the employ of this concern, until his retirement from active labor, in 1883, at the age of seventy-two years. He was superintendent of the mechanical department of the Gorham Manufacturing Company, and under his supervision were built or purchased all the machinery used. In the serv- ice of this establishment he went abroad, and set up machines for manufac- turing rifles for the Turkish army. Mr. Blake was essentially a self-made man. His own industry, perseverance and Yankee grit accomplished the ends which he sought, and made him a master in his chosen field of endeavor. At the time of his death he was a member of the Congregational church at Elmwood, in which he served as class leader, deacon and superintendent of the Sunday school, and leader of the Bible class. He was above all a faith- ful Christian. He had few interests outside of his home and the church, and found his greatest enjoyment in the midst of his family. He married (first) April 27, 1836, Sarah Plimpton, born January 10, 1815, in Medway, daughter
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Josiah Allen Blake
of Wales and Sarah (Bullard) Plimpton. She died in Providence, August 3, 1861, leaving no children. Mr. Blake married (second) in March, 1865, Ellen Drowne, daughter of Solomon H. and Susan ( Leonard) Drowne. Solo- mon H. Drowne was a son of Dr. Solomon Drowne, a prominent citizen of Providence. To Mr. and Mrs. Blake was born a daughter, Sarah E. Blake, now the wife of Selwyn N. Blake, and the mother of five children: Elizabeth Drowne, died at the age of eleven years; Mary Ball, Helen Russell, Alice Bissell, and Selwyn N., Jr.
In the death of Mr. Blake, Providence lost one of its best and most use- ful and honored citizens. He was among the most reliable of men, ever ready to perform such duties as came to his hand, the friend of material and moral progress, a leader in religious matters, and one whose memory will never fade. He lived a long and honorable life and laid down his burdens when the time came, rejoicing in the assurance of a better life beyond.
Daniel Asher
M ANY NOW living recall the wave of intense excitement which swept over the United States in 1849 over the news of the discovery of gold in the race of John A. Sutter's saw mill in California. Among thie men who listened with willing ear to the wild stories of wealth for the mere act of picking it up was Daniel Usher, of Providence, then a man of forty, a carriage builder and contractor of Cranston and Providence, Rhode Island. It would be interesting to know the feelings of the men who, after months of weary journeying and danger, finally reached the Mecca of their dreams only to find that they must work harder than they had ever worked in order to extract even fair recompense from Mother Earth.
Among those who quickly found reward and was successful in their quest was Daniel Usher, who remained five years ere he was satisfied to return. It is a singular fact that Captain Sutter, on whose property gold was first discovered in 1848, born in Baden, Germany, in 1802, later lived in Lititz, Pennsylvania, died in Washington, in 1880, without reaping particu- lar profit from the discovery save the three thousand dollars annuity granted him by the State of California.
Daniel Usher was a grandson of John Usher, a private soldier of the Revolution, whose name appears on the official rolls of the United States Pension Office, having been placed there September 21, 1818, when John Usher was aged eighty-three years. John Usher was the son of Hezekiah and Jane (Greenleaf) Usher, and grandson of Lieutenant-Governor John and Elizabeth (Allen) Usher. John Usher, the Revolutionary soldier, mar- ried Freelove Luther and had a son, Stephen Usher, who married Prudence Colwell, and resided in Smithfield, Rhode Island, where their son, Daniel Usher, was born. Fate has strange experiences in store for men and after a lifetime spent on land and five of those years in California gold regions full of danger, Daniel Usher was lost at sea on his return voyage in the early part of the year 1855, having reached the age of forty-seven years.
Prior to his going to California, Mr. Usher had resided in Smithfield and Cranston, Rhode Island, his boyhood and youth having been spent in Smithfield, where he was born in 1808 and educated in public schools. After reaching suitable age, he was apprenticed to a carriage builder and in course of time he became an expert workman. He finally decided to engage in the same business for himself, and choosing Cranston as a location there estab- lished a shop, operating under the firm name of Usher & Windsor. Later he added the contracting of buildings and was successfully engaged until he removed to Providence. He was engaged as a contractor and builder in Providence, residing on Carpenter street, continuing until the "gold fever" attacked him so violently that he closed up his Providence business and joined the seekers for easy fortune. Mr. Usher reached the gold fields in safety after passing through experiences which were the common lot of the "Forty-Niners." He remained at the mines five years and was successful
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Daniel Cishet
in his search for the precious metal. In 1855 he took passage on a ship bound for New York, the vessel going down with all on board.
Mr. Usher was a Democrat in politics, and a member of Roger Williams Free Baptist Church. He was very active in church work, taught a men's class in the Sunday school, and was one of the most pronounced advocates of the cause of temperance. He was a man of great energy, devoted to his fam- ily, and was highly esteemed as business man and citizen. For a year after her husband's sailing for home, Mrs. Usher watched and waited for his com- ing, then gradually gave up hope, and with hope, strength and life passed away. She died in 1856.
Daniel Usher married Thankful Steere, daughter of Nathaniel and Patience (Bussey) Steere, of an old and numerous New England family. The children of Daniel and Thankful Usher were seven: George F., de- ceased; Stephen L., deceased ; Reuben A., deceased; Melona, married Benja- min O. Patt, both deceased; Sarah E., now (1916) residing at 209 Butler avenue, Providence; Mary J., widow of Fred A. Devoll, residing at Edge- wood, Rhode Island; Daniel, now residing at West Haven, Connecticut.
Woorph Gilerist Charutry
William Henry Charley
Joseph Gilcrist Charnley
M R. CHARNLEY was known to a generation past and gone as the proprietor of two of the hotels of Providence, the "Manu- facturers Hotel" and the "Union House." The Manufac- turers Hotel stood at what is now No. 20 Market Square and was the city station at which the stage coaches running be- tween Providence and Boston arrived and departed. The
"Union House" was on W.eybosset street. After his retire- ment Mr. Charnley lived at the family residence, No. 8 Abbott Park Place, now in the very heart of the city. The old house is yet the residence of his two daughters, and was until his death, March 18. 1904, the home of his son, William Henry Charnley, to whom Providence is largely indebted for that beautiful little resting place in the down town business district-Abbott Park-he having agitated the question, his the first subscription to the fund and his untiring energy that finally carried the plan through to successful issue, and no memorial history of Rhode Island would be complete without mentions of his name.
The Charnleys are of English stock, Joseph G. Charnley being the founder of his family in the United States. His father, William Charnley, was a cotton mill superintendent in England and there lived and died. After his death his widow, Dorothea Charnley, and her three daughters joined their son and brother, Joseph G. Charnley, in the United States.
Joseph Gilcrist Charnley was born in Cheshire, England, died in Provi- dence, Rhode Island, about 1868 in his sixty-second year. He was educated and learned the trade of block-printer in England, coming to the United States a young man. On arriving in this country he found little call for his services as a block printer and he was obliged to seek other employment. After settling in Providence, he opened the Manufacturers Hotel and was its popular proprietor for many years. The stage coach line to Boston, which started from his hotel brought him a great deal of trade as that line was well patronized. Later he opened the Union House on Weybosset street, which he conducted until his retirement. He was a member of the Episcopal church, a strong Democrat and a man well liked. He was very hospitable and as a hotel proprietor very successful. He had a wide acquaint- ance and many warm friends.
Mr. Charnley married (first) Ann Pearce, of New Bedford, who bore him three children, William Henry, Ellen S., and Amelia A. William Henry Charnley, who died March IS, 1904, was born in Taunton, Massachusetts, but since his childhood had lived in Providence and had been engaged to some extent in the real estate business. He was one of the most popular of men, public-spirited and a man who accomplished a great deal for the city. Abbott Park may justly be considered as the result of his public spirit, as heretofore noted, he making many improvements there, including the plac- ing of the fountain. He had been a member of several clubs in the city.
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Joseph Oilcrist Charniep
Although he never held any political position he was a strong Republican and always supported the party, although in an unostentations way. He was a member of the Old Union Club, and was also one of the Grace Church Corporation. He was a good son and a good brother, held in loving remem- brance by his many friends.
Joseph G. Charnley married (second) Isabella Bartlett, who died at the old home, No. 8 Abbott Park Place, March 21, 1907, in her eighty-fifth year. She was the mother of four children: Edward A., died in infancy; Isabelle J., Mary C., and Annie L. Mrs. Charnley continued her residence in the old home with her three daughters until her death. The sisters resided there until the death of Annie L. Charnley, November 4, 1915, and Isabelle J. and Mary C. Charley yet occupy the old home, sacred to them as the home of father, mother, sister and brother. Both are communicants of the Grace Episcopal Church. Joseph G. Charnley was a member of the First Light Infantry of Providence, under Colonel Brown, and had been an officer in the Odd Fellows in England before coming to America.
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Theron D. Whitford
Cheron Delano Authitford
T HE founder of the Whitford family of Stonington, Connecti- cut, from whence sprang Theron D. Whitford, was Pasco Whitford, born in England, who settled first in Newport, Rhode Island, but later lived in East Greenwich and Kings- ton, Rhode Island. He was a taxpayer in 1680, and in 1689 admitted a freeman of Rhode Island from East Greenwich.
He left two sons, Pasco (2) and Nicholas, from whom sprang the Whitfords of Connecticut and Rhode Island. Descendants of Nicholas Whitford settled in Connecticut and during the Revolution many of the name served in the Connecticut Line. Theron D. Whitford was a son of Caleb and Lucy (Eldridge) Whitford, both of Connecticut birth. Caleb Whitford was a farmer of the town of Stonington, Connecticut, and there lived until his death at an advanced age.
Theron Delano Whitford was born in Stonington, Connecticut, in No- vember, 1816, died in Providence, Rhode Island, January 27, 1892. He was educated in private and public schools of Stonington, and for several years after completing his studies taught school in Connecticut. He then became bookkeeper for a mercantile firm in Cranston, Rhode Island, but for a few years only, as his father, who was an old man, prevailed upon him to return home and manage the farm. He continued in the management of the home farm until after the death of his parents, returning to Rhode Island and locating in Providence in 1877. He engaged in the coal business there for a few years, then retired and from about 1880 until his death he was chiefly concerned in the management of his own real estate interests in the city.
During his residence in Stonington, Mr. Whitford took a deep interest in public affairs, was an active worker for the success of the Republican party and held many of the town offices. He was a well educated man and kept in close touch with the world's progress through a wide course of read- ing. He was a fluent speaker and able to both clearly and eloquently express himself before an audience. He was quiet in his tastes, very fond of home and family, but performed the duties of citizenship in a manner that denoted the deep interest he took in all that pertained to the upbuilding of a com- munity. Both he and his wife were attendants of Central Congregational Church.
Mr. Whitford married (first) April 10, 1843, Barbara Vaughn, and their children were as follows: Walter, Caroline, Susan, Byron, Lucy, Ann, Asa, Ann, Lucy and Ann (2) are the only surviving children. He married (second) November 26, 1876, Mary R., daughter of Pheleg and Abbie (Borden) Taber, of New York State, and only sister of Amasa Taber, the only son of his par- ents. Mary R. Taber married (first) Thomas Griffin, overseer of a woolen mill in Fall River, born in the town of Foster, Rhode Island. They had two sons, Eldridge, deceased, and Dr. Clifford Griffin, a graduate of Providence High School, Brown University and Harvard Medical College, and is now
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Cheron Delano Cubitford
practicing his profession in Providence, with offices on Broad street; he married Cecelia Blackenton. Theron D. and Mary R. (Taber-Griffin) Whit- ford were the parents of three children: Abbie, married Crawford Randall and has two children, Eldridge and Natalie Randall; Theron and Ulysses, residents of Providence. Mrs. Whitford, twice widowed, resides in Provi- dence, at No. 6 Division street.
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James Linton
F ROM his seventh until his seventy-fifth year, James Linton was a resident of Rhode Island and for a half a century of that period was located in Pawtucket, where he became one of the well known and highly regarded business men of the city. He possessed unusual inventive genius as well as business ability, one of his inventions, a machine for making paper collars, adding greatly to the profits of that business before the paper gave way to the linen collar. As a member of Linton Brothers & Company he continued in business many years, his activity only ceasing with his death. Genial, companionable and kindly-hearted, but of quiet and reserved nature, only his near friends realized how much he de- lighted in their fellowship, and how deeply he valued their friendship. He was the son of Hugh and Agnes Linton, of Scotland, living near Paisley.
James Linton was born near Paisley, Scotland, in 1840, and died at his home, No. 26 North Bend street, Pawtucket, Rhode Island, January 24, 1915. In-1847 the family came to the United States, locating at Seekonk, Rhode Island, where James Linton attended public schools and spent his youth. While yet in his minority he entered the employ of the Dunnell Print Works at Pawtucket, that city ever afterward being his home. He remained at the print works for some time, then was employed in a similar mill at Smithfield, then became interested in card board manufacture. His first position in that line was with Ray Potter, then operating a paper mill in the vicinity of the Salisbury Manufacturing Company. Mr. Linton con- tinued in the employ of Mr. Potter, his successors, Thomas & Ryder, and their successors, Dexter & Clark, becoming thoroughly familiar with card board manufacture. About the year 1870 he interested his brothers, Hugh and Robert Linton, and Edward Jollie, and organized the paper manufactur- ing firm of Linton Brothers & Company, locating their plant on Front street. They continued in successful business until Hugh and Robert Lin- ton withdrew to start in business for themselves, Edward Jollie retiring about 1885. James Linton, however, continued the business, moving his plant to Commerce street, and later admitting Benjamin Jackson, of Provi- dence, to a partnership. Mr. Jackson later sold his interest to Norman Har- rower, of New York, the firm continuing business as Linton Brothers & Company during the entire period. After the destruction of their Commerce street plant by fire in recent years the company did not resume manufactur- ing, but continued as jobbers and wholesale dealers in card board, transact- ing a very large business with offices at No. 216 Main street, Pawtucket.
During his manufacturing life Mr. Linton invented several machines and improvements on paper mill machinery, some of them very valuable to the trade. He took a deep interest in public affairs, his sound judgment and business ability also commending him to his fellow citizens as a fit repre- sentative of their interests in city and state offices. He represented Paw- tucket in the State Legislature, was a member of the Town Council prior to
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James Linton
the adoption of a city form of government, was a member of the City Board of Tax Commissioners for several years and served on important commis- sions. He was a member of the Pawtucket Business Men's Association, the To Kalon Club of Pawtucket and the Congregational Club of Providence. He was a member of the Congregational church, and in politics a Repub- lican.
Mr. Linton married Hannah Maxwell, of Pawtucket, daughter of Hugh and Sarah Maxwell. James and Hannah Linton were the parents of three daughters and a son: 1. Carrie Paton, married Alfred K. Hawes, now presi- dent of the Narragansett Cardboard Company of Providence; they have four children: Ruth Linton, married Franklin Hudson, of Pawtucket; Car- rie Maxwell, married Harry Fletcher, of Providence; Edmund Alfred; and Dorothy Margaret. 2. Sarah Agnes, married Curtis Davis, of Central Falls, Rhode Island, and has a daughter, Hope, wife of William H. Drury. 3. Margaret Patterson, married Frederick A. Jillson, of Pawtucket. 4. James, Jr., the only son, is deceased; was married and left a son, James (3) Linton.
Edward Thomas Egan
E DWARD THOMAS EGAN, a well known paint and paper dealer of Providence, died at his home in that city, July 24, 1907. A Providence newspaper said of him: "After 15 years of suffering from locomotor ataxia, Edward T. Egan, a well known painter and dealer in paper died at his home on Bridgham St., in his 57th year. After his education, when only 17 years old, he enlisted in the regular army, served 3 years and returned to Roxbury. He then came to Providence and started in business first as a paint dealer, first shop on Knight street and later removed to Westminster street, where he remained until his death."
Edward T. Egan was born October 19, 1849, in West Roxbury, Massa- chusetts, and was a son of William and Mary Egan, both natives of Ireland. They came to Providence early in life, and were married in that city. Wil- liam Egan was a farmer and lived most of his life in Dedham, Massachu- setts. His family included three sons and six daughters. Three of the lat- ter are now living, namely: Alice, wife of Daniel Dolan; Mary, Mrs. Ed- ward H. Coyne, and Annie, living unmarried in Dedham. The education of Edward T. Egan was limited to that supplied by the grammar schools of Dedham. At an early age he struck out to make his own livelihood, and was employed at any job which came to his hands, until eighteen years old. At this time he became a member of the regular army, and spent three years in campaigns against the Indians in Texas. After his discharge he returned to Dedham, and in a short time went to Fall River, where he served an ap- prenticehip of three years at the painter's trade. Settling in Providence, he purchased the painting business of Samuel Tenner, then located on Knight street, and was employed for some time as a painter and paper hanger. As his business grew, he found the need of larger quarters, and removed to a location on Westminster street, where he became an extensive dealer in paint and paper, and employed many men in decorating operations in the best homes of the city. Mr. Egan was a man of large heart and generous impulses, and naturally became affiliated with various fraternal bodies de- voted to philanthropy and benevolence. These included the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Improved Order of Red Men, Knights of Pythias, and United Order of Foresters. In religion he was a Roman Catholic, and in every relation of life he was true to his instincts, faithful to every duty, and took a keen interest in the welfare of all humanity. Politically a Democrat, he sought no public favors, was de- voted to his home, and found his best enjoyment with his family. Of con- genial disposition, he was friendly with all whom he met, and his charities were wide and open-handed. He was truly a self-made man, self-educated, a diligent reader, and well versed on general topics of the time. His de- parture was truly mourned by those left behind.
Mr. Egan married (first) Bridget Scully, a native of Ireland, who died
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Coward Thomas Egan
leaving one daughter, Mary E., now the wife of William B. Ellsbury, of Providence. He married (second) September 15, 1882, Ella' F, Pollard, a native of Exeter, New Hampshire, daughter of Albert and Julia A. Pollard. She survives him and holds him in loving and reverential memory. To all who knew Mr. Egan he appeared as a model man, a loving husband, kind and humane citizen, a man of quiet modest demeanor, but of strong and endurable character.
James Golden Markland
James Golden Markland
A T THE age of sixty-one years, James Golden Markland, of Providence, Rhode Island, closed an earthly career of excep- tional brilliance at the bar. He was born January 23, 1829, died June 21, 1890. His legal practice began in his native land, England, at Manchester, where he studied for seven years under a very prominent barrister, was continued in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, but came to its full glory in Providence, Rhode Island. He was at one time a law partner of General Horatio Rogers (later an associate justice of the Supreme Court of Rhode Island) and there was no member of the Rhode Island bar more distin- guished in his learning, wisdom and skill, than James Golden Markland. He retained every power of his splendid mind until his latest hours, and even on his last bed of sickness was able to solve some knotty legal problems submitted to him. He was wholly absorbed in his profession and loved it, in fact he practiced law not more from the fact that it brought him large financial returns than from deep absorption in the many intricate problems it presented and the pure joy it gave him to find the true solution. He was admitted to the United States bar at Washington, D. C., and therefore could practice before any court in any part of the United States. His monument in Providence is the clear title to Union Park which he secured for the city after ten years of legal battle, the successful issue of the fight coming to gladden his heart and as a crown to his career but a short time prior to his last appearance in court.
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