USA > Rhode Island > Memorial encyclopedia of the state of Rhode Island > Part 21
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
John Henry Clark
T HERE IS, perhaps, no country in the world that unites a greater number of the elements of natural beauty with more of that strange atmosphere that comes from great traditions of the past reaching backward into the age of myth and which we count as romance, than does Ireland, from whose green shores so large a proportion of our best citizenship has been derived. There, nature and man seem to have com- bined to cast a spell of fascination over the land, at once quaint and humor- ous and yet with a profound element of pathos, which the very names of places and natural objects echo strangely. In one of the lovliest and most romantic spots of this lovely and romantic land, a spot half-way between Castleblayney and Ballybay in County Monaghan, a family of Clarks has lived from time immemorial. It is reported that the first of the name set- tled in County Monaghan sometime during the earliest invasions of the country by Anglo-Saxons, so that it seems possible that at that remote period a strain of foreign blood predominated in its members. However this may be it is certain that for a great though uncertain period men of the name made their home there and were absolutely identified with the life of the community. Here of this old family was born November 10, 1843, John Henry Clark, with whose career in a very different land this brief sketch is concerned.
But a very short portion of Mr. Clark's life was passed in his native land, although enough for him to form his first associations of childhood there, for in 1849, when he was but six years of age, his parents left their home and emigrated to the new world where they hoped to find more free- dom and greater opportunities. The parents, Philip and Catherine (Duffy) Clark, were good God-fearing people, the father a farmer in his own land, and upon coming to this country they settled in Providence, Rhode Island. From there, in the following year, they removed to Pawtucket and Valley Falls, and here the father went to work as a mason, while the son attended the public schools. Upon completing his schooling he secured a position in the Le Favour Mills in Pawtucket and worked there for a time, and then in succession in the Chase Mills and the Rice Bobbin Shop, both in Valley Falls. Of an extremely sensitive nature and possessing a great ambition, the confining routine of the mill operative's life was very trying to Mr. Clark, but being of a practical turn of mind he did not stop to bemoan his fate, but turned his mind to changing the circumstances. It was his strong desire to engage in business on his own account, but this was at the time out of the question so he sought for another kind of work where opportunities for promotion would be greater. His chance at length came when he secured a position with the firm of Eaton & Burnham, machinists, and there learned the machinist's trade. His skill in his new craft, of which he shortly became a master, was a high road to a much better class of employment than that he had been used to and he had excellent positions with J. K. Mallory in his
1
189
John Henry Clark
spool factory and in other mills of the same kind, notably Weatherhead & Thompson. What pleased him most under the new conditions was that his wages were now great enough to enable him to put aside some of them against the little plan he had formed and cherished of venturing on his own account. In the year 1871 this desire was realized and he opened a small dry goods store on Central street, Central Falls. His success was from the outset phenomenal and far exceeded his own expectations, and so great was it that he was soon obliged to remove to larger quarters which he provided for himself in the J. G. Fales block. In 1883 another change was made neces- sary by the expansion of the trade and Mr. Clark, whose resources had in- creased correspondingly, purchased the Walcott estate, a valuable property on Main street, Pawtucket, and transferred his establishment to these new quarters. To the building that already stood on this site Mr. Clark made several important additions, erecting several stories above those already there and three new wings and thus made it capable of holding his equip- ment and stock. In 1889 he sold out his great business to Radikin, Cooney & Forbes and retired entirely from active business. He continued, however, to look after his extensive real estate interests which he had been gradually increasing with remarkable intelligence and foresight for a number of years. Besides .his Pawtucket property, Mr. Clark was the owner of a valuable property in Orange county, Florida, and it was there that he and Mrs. Clark passed the few last winters of his life.
The general affairs of the community claimed a great deal of the interest of Mr. Clark who devoted such time as he could spare from his private busi- ness to them. Politically he was a member of the Democratic party and was prominent in its local organizations, but he would never accept any public office although such were pressed upon him more than once. Mr. Clark was a staunch believer in the Catholic faith, in which his fathers before him had always believed, and he was a faithful member and constant attendant at mass in St. Mary's Church, Pawtucket, and was always active in advancing the cause of his church. He was a member of Branch No. 268, Catholic Knights of America. He was a man of energetic mind and continued his varied activities up to practically the time of his death on November 5, 1903, just five days before his sixtieth birthday.
Mr. Clark married, November 16, 1871, Ellen F. Carland, a daughter of John and Jane (Mitchell) Carland, old residents of Plymouth, Massachu- setts. Mr. Carland was a man of prominence in the community of which he was a member, and a veteran of the Civil War, and was looked up to because of the part he played in that historic struggle. A member of the Twenty-third Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, he gave his country a most honorable service and finally his life. his death occurring from the effects of a wound received in battle. To Mr. and Mrs. John Henry Clark were born six children as follows: Arthur Joseph, William Mitchell James, who married Mary Boynton, of Pawtucket, by whom he had one daughter, Eleanor Frances, and who now resides with his family in the city of Cleveland, Ohio; Mary Eleanor, now Mrs. Bernard Edward Cooney, of Pawtucket, and the mother of two children: John Henry Bernard and Henry Clark; Patrick Joseph, deceased; John Henry, Jr., deceased; and
190
John Henry Clark
George Phillip, deceased. Mr. Clark is survived by his wife and three of his children, the former still making her residence in Pawtucket in the attractive dwelling at No. 294 Main street.
John Henry Clark was a man of strong character and personality, of broad sympathies and interests and of indefatigable industry in pursuing whatever end he set himself. It is such men who of necessity exert an in- fluence on all those who come in contact with them and are by nature con- stituted leaders of their fellows. And sure enough Mr. Clark was just such a leader. Not indeed, the type of leader who iniposes his will upon others through the sheer force of his aggressive energy, but that far more effective kind who through clear reason and an infectious enthusiasm win their fol- lowing. Possessed of the truly democratic outlook which sees in all men brothers without regard for their exteriors or the distinctions of class, his manner and bearing frank and open, he was extremely easy of approach and instantly won the confidence of those with whom he came in contact. He was devoted to everything from which he could derive knowledge and cul- ture and especially enjoyed travel. One of the most delightful experiences of his life was that of the tour of Europe that he made in 1893, during the course of which he visited his birthplace. He was very fond of his home and spent much of his time therein in the intimate intercourse of family life, and was devoted to the happiness of those in the midst of whom he dwelt.
-----------
George Alexander Milan
George Alexander MAtilson
IN AMERICA, the land of quickly changing conditions, it is not remarkable to find the poor boy of to-day the wealthy man of to-morrow, but even allowing for the frequency of such illustrations, there yet remains an interest in such men and the story of their rise is always worthy of the telling.
George Alexander Wilson was but a child when he first became a cotton mill employe, and to one less ambitious and determined the adverse conditions of his early life would have been a weight to have dragged him to lowest depths. But he was of stronger fibre and by a course of self study and by close attention to his first humble duties, he prepared himself for a better position. All his early life he worked and he studied, his brain developing with his body and both keeping pace with his ambition. He was not long an inferior employe and when he began his upward climb his rise was rapid. Sixty-eight years was his span of life and of those all save the first nine were spent in New England cotton mills. At the time of his death he was general superintendent of the twenty-two mills operated by B. B, and R. Knight, known as the Knight Mills.
His early struggles had not warped his nature, but had broadened his sympathies and so softened him that he could resist no appeal of charity, and in his relations with the thousands of people over whom he had control, he ever displayed a consideration and genuine interest that won their love and respect. He did not aspire to be one of the worlds "captains of indus- try" but his ideals were high and fully realized. Those in authority over him learned the strength of his character and the soundness of his judgment in all matters affecting industrial conditions in their plants, and listened to his suggestions with respect; those beneath him in rank knew they could trust to his fairness and justice and his scrupulous observance of their rights. Hence so far as in him lay, peace reigned between capital and labor in the mills he managed and a greater prosperity abounded where he con- trolled.
He was of Irish parentage, both his parents coming from the north of Ireland when young and settling in Massachusetts. His father, Robert Wilson, was a cotton mill worker and a veteran of the Civil War, giving up his life for the Union at Andersonville prison, another of Ireland's sons to perish for the cause of liberty and in the defense of a country, theirs only by adoption. He married, in Massachusetts, Margaret Piper.
George Alexander Wilson, second child of Robert and Margaret (Piper) Wilson, was born at Farnumsville, town of Grafton, Massachusetts, November 25, 1847, died at his home, No. 73 Mawney street, Providence, Rhode Island, March 23, 1915. At the age of nine years he began working in the cotton mills, and in rapid succession passed through intermediate grades of mill service until he reached managerial position. He worked in many mills in different cities of New England, and filled many important positions, one of these a term of several years as overseer of the Whitman
192
George Alcranber Jailson
Mills, New Bedford, Massachusetts, followed by ten years as superintend- ent. In 1910 Mr. Wilson attained the high position of general superin- tendent of the B. B. & R. Knight Mills, and moved with his family to Provi- dence, the location of the mills. He was in full charge of the twenty-two mills comprising the Knight Mills, and until his death, five years later, there was no abridgement of his authority. On the contrary his powers were absolute and he possessed the full confidence of both owners, officials and employes. Warmhearted, kindly natured and friendly, he was fully trusted by all who knew him and never did he betray a trust reposed in him, by either workmen or employer. His was an honored name in the manufac- turing world, and from a lowly position he won for himself both reputation and competence. Mr. Wilson was a Republican in politics, and a member of the Presbyterian church. He was affiliated with Grafton Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, and with Ames Lodge, Taunton, Massachusetts, and Unity Encampment, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of New Bedford, Massachusetts. Although he was thoroughly in sympathy with the spirit of fraternity and brotherly love prevading those orders, he devoted little time to them, being quiet and domestic in nature, a lover of his home, and there spending all his spare hours.
Mr. Wilson married, June 2, 1881, Martha Boyd, born in Connecticut, daughter of Hugh and Eliza (Carney) Boyd, both parents born in the north of Ireland but married in the United States. Hugh Boyd was a cotton and woolen mill worker and a veteran of three years hard service in the Union army during the Civil War. Hugh and Eliza Boyd were the parents of : Mrs. Sumner Dudley, of Taunton, Massachusetts; Joseph, of Colebrook, New Hampshire; Sarah; Eliza; and Martha. George A. and Martha (Boyd) Wilson were the parents of three children: Robert Elmer, Eliza, and Ralph Boyd Wilson. Mrs. Wilson survives her husband, a resident of Providence, her home, No. 72 Mawney street, enlivened by a grandson, George Wilson Brown, named in honor of his grandfather. She is a member of the Episcopal church.
-
Michael BS. CRRood
A LTHOUGH of English birth and parentage, Mr. Wood was from his twentieth year a resident of the United States, and from 1864 until his death lived in Providence, Rhode Island. His parents were William and Ann (Bingham) Wood, his father a mill worker who upon coming to the United States settled in Fall River, Massachusetts, where he died at the age of fifty-eight. His wife survived him until she reached the age of eighty-three; she was the mother of sixteen children, nine of whom were living at the time of her death.
Michael B. Wood was born in England and had but a limited amount of schooling, but being naturally bright and studious he became well informed through self study and reading. When he was about the age of twenty he came to the United States, and worked in the textile mills at Fall River. In 1864 he came to Providence where he was employed by Alonzo and Henry Flint. Later he operated a tin store and also drove a regular country route, becoming well and most favorably known. He prospered and added to his modest fortune by judicious investments in outlying real estate which with the growth of Providence has greatly increased in value. Ten years prior to his death he retired from business, devoting himself only to the care and improvement of his real estate. The home in which he lived until death, and now occupied by his daughter Sarah, wife of Willard E. Baton, was built by Mr. Wood in 1868, and in 1905 he erected two three-family houses across the street from his own house on Eddy street. This was simply country property when Mr. Wood secured it, a toll gate barring the road just beyond his purchase. He was a man highly respected by all who knew him, the estimation in which he was held being fully told in a tribute to his memory published in a Providence paper which is faithfully reproduced.
Mr. Wood married Margaret Williams, born in Cheshire, England, but married in the United States. They were the parents of three children : James, who died aged two years; Sarah, married (first) Marcus F. Streeter, who died in 1906 leaving two sons, Marcus F., who married Emily Webster, and William L., who married Henrietta Bray, and has a son, William L. Streeter, Jr. Mrs. Sarah Streeter married (second) Willard E. Baton, and resides at the old Wood home, No. 1054 Eddy street, Providence. The third child, Elizabeth, died unmarried at the age of thirty-eight years.
Mrs. Sarah (Wood) Baton, the last of her family, was always very close to her honored father, aiding him in his business by keeping his books, and having a general oversight of his business while he was making his weekly trips in the country. The training developed her ready natural ability and prepared her for the greater task of managing the estate after her father's death. She resembles him greatly in disposition and is very popular among her many friends. The following tribute appeared in the Providence "Sun- day Tribune" following Mr. Wood's death, November 26, 1911 :
R I-Vol 1-13
.
194
Michacl 23. 00.000
An Old Tin Peddler. To the Editor of the Sunday Tribune. In reading the list in the death column recently I came across the name of Michael B. Wood, an old time business man of South Providence. Mr. Wood has been a recluse in my, memory for many years past, but the notice of his death has revived within me the memory of this man's deeds that deserve public attention which brings my letter back to the good old days when Providence was the happiest city in the country. I am no stranger to Mr. M. B. Wood, or liis family, for the business he was engaged in more than forty years ago was what we used to call a "Tin Peddler," that is, be carried in stock everything in the line of tinware. This Mr. Wood would load into his wagon and make his weekly rounds through the rural district throughout South Providence and Edgewood, selling his wares.
Be it remembered if persons in these districts years ago wanted anything in the line of tinware, he or she would have to trudge to the city to buy them, which was no easy matter to do on account of the distance and no cars. So a tin peddler was ever welcome and he never went home without having a good share of his wares disposed of.
Mr. Wood could be seen in all sorts of weather going through the district with his faithful old horse and the old fashioned tin wagon froma house to house. He would stop and exhibit his wares. So neatly were they arranged in his wagon that our mothers could see at a glance what they wanted without overhauling the articles in search.
With a pleasant "Good inorning" or a "Good day" Mr. Wood met all with a pleasant smile, a smile that has made an everlasting impression upon one's mind. He endeared himself to all through his honesty and uprightness of character.
In those good old days money in payment for tinware was not so much of an object as it is to-day. If our mothers had any old rags Mr. Wood took these in exchange for his ware. He would also accept bones, iron or white glass for payment of his wares
But Mr. Wood was not the delight of our mothers alone, his greatest delight were the children. We children would prepare for his visit by having a good stock of bones, iron and white glass collected. Bones were in great demand in those days and brought good prices. No wonder we "kids" scoured the fields everywhere hunting for bones. Every little bone added to the weight, the heavier the more money, so we worked hard and diligent in search of bones.
Then when Mr. Wood came around how we jumped with joy: "Here comes Mr. Wood, mamma." Then, helter, skelter we would bring our stock from their hiding . place, and Mr. Wood like an honest man, weighed our stock and when the pennies rolled into our hands how we did dance! Which made the heart of the good old tin ped- dler jump with joy. Smiling, that smile which he carried through life, his heart was as big as himself. He was one of the squarest and most honest men in the tinware trade, and everybody liked him.
No doubt the increasing population and the opening up of business enterprises throughout this old time district caused our old friend, Mr. Wood, to seek his revenue in other ways. For many years passed I have not seen or heard of him, but the account of his death has brought his past life before me, and do this honor of writing this letter to show what business inen had to do and go through in other days if they wanted to make a living and the results and rewards that follow a man who means to be honest with all.
Certain it is Michael B. Wood is an example for all business men to emulate. He followed that golden rule which I have so often impressed upon the minds of all readers, both in business and political life, "Honesty is the best policy."
Providence, Dec. 4.
F. X. SCHEUREN.
..
Benno TMolt
B ORN in Hamburg, Germany, and there educated in gym- nasium and university, Benno Wolf brought with him to the United States perfect mental equipment including a fluent knowledge of the German, French and English languages. To his university training and cultured mind he added an unusual business ability that after his permanent settlement in Providence, Rhode Island, in 1855, was fully demon- strated, the store of B. & J. Wolf becoming one of the best known and best patronized in the city. He prospered in business, and during his half-cen- tury of residence in Providence acquired a large estate. The last year of his life he spent in business retirement, devoting himself only to the care of his real estate, a line of investment to which he was very partial, a friend re- marking of him: "His judgment of real estate was nothing less than mar- velous." Some of his purchases were strongly advised against by his friends, but invariably his own judgment proved correct. His far-seeing wisdom in such matters became proverbial and he was much sought for as an adviser on real estate investment. To his great ability as a business man he added an uprightness of character and an integrity of purpose that was fully recognized by those with whom he dealt, his word being all that was required to bind any agreement.
But his predominant trait was not the making of money, rather its distribution. He was charitable to a fault, if that is possible, his charity be- ginning at home, but having no ending. He contributed to every worthy cause and movement for the public good and then as one of his friends remarked "contributed to every other cause." He delighted in helping his fellowman and if one were in need of aid he freely extended it without thought of whether it was deserved. He combined with his charitable dis- position a warm-hearted, genial nature which won him many close friends. He enjoyed the society of his fellowmen and in the Masonic order was prominent and popular as he was in the social and charitable organizations to which he belonged. He was very fond of driving and of the light harness horse, always having in his stable one of the best he could procure. He was particularly partial to Saratoga Springs as a place for summer recreation, spending a portion of each summer there with his family.
Mr. Wolf, while a man of wealth at his death, acquired it solely through his own efforts, the only advantage he possessed over the thousands of others who weekly come to this "land of opportunity" was superior educa- cation, as his capital consisted of little else. But by hard work he gained a slender foothold on the mercantile ladder, then by close application and strictly honorable business methods rose to its topmost rounds, winning not only competence but a name honored wherever known. As he pros- pered he shared with others, one of his acts being to send to Germany for his father and other members of his family.
He was the eldest son of Simon and Fannie Wolf, both of whom came
196
Benno Wolf
to the United States in 1870, were cared for by their son, and are both buried in Providence. They were the parents of four children. Although' Simon Wolf was a man of high repute he was in but moderate circumstances, and aside from giving his children the best educational advantages, and instill- ing into their minds the value of honesty and industry, could do little for them. But that was sufficient and he lived to see them all in positions of honor and trust.
Benno Wolf was born in Hamburg, Germany, April 7, 1838, died at his home, No. 1251 Westminster street, Providence, Rhode Island, January 15, 1905. He completed a course of university study, and when a young man of less than twenty came to the United States, having very little capital, but rich in courage and ambition. His knowledge of German, French and Eng- lish was a great advantage to him and after reaching Milwaukee, Wiscon- sin, and delivering the letters of introduction which he brought from Ger- many to people there, found little difficulty in securing profitable employ- ment. He did not long remain in Milwaukee, and about 1855 came East, locating in Providence. He started in business near the corner of West- minster and Dorrance streets, there then being few business places on that thoroughfare above Dorrance street. He specialized in woman's wear. His glove department became famous as the best in the city and all departments were conducted on the same high plane. He next moved to a store on the ground floor of the "Hotel Dorrance" and there remained for a number of years, adding to his reputation as one of the most enterprising and public- spirited merchants of the city. After that time and until his death he de- voted himself entirely to the management of his estate, maintaining an office in the Winthrop Building.
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.