USA > Rhode Island > Memorial encyclopedia of the state of Rhode Island > Part 31
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Walter Augustus Crandall
Walter A. Crandall died on the sixth of September, 1912. Beloved by all his asso- ciates, in his death the Rhode Island Tool Company met with a sad loss, and one deeply felt by the directors of the company. He was born January 3, 1849, and at the age of fifteen years he went in the employ of the Providence Tool Company, remaining with this company and its successors, the Rhode Island Tool Company, an honorable record of forty-eight years of faithful service, applying himself to the duties assigned him and conscientiously meeting each problem as it arose. . He. worked his way up step by step until March, 1897, when he was elected treasurer and was so at the time of his death. His genial personality and his honesty of purpose endeared him to all his associates, his optimism and cheerfulness were contagious, and reflected by all who came in con- tact with him.
In recognition of his valued services the board of directors to-day direct that the foregoing tribute to Mr. Crandall's memory be spread upon the records of the corpora- tion and a copy sent to his family.
(Signed) WILLIAM C. DART, President.
Thomas Wilbur Caber
TT IS strange how often discredited and outworn customs sometimes receive a sort of posthumous justification where- by our minds are turned back, as it were, a number of cen- turies and we seem to see the reasons that first induced our ancestors-reasonable individuals like ourselves-to adopt ways and means that we had in our previous prejudice thought totally unreasonable. Such a justification may be found, for instance, for much of the old institutions of aristocracy, in the case of the splendid old New England families, of which that of Thomas Wilbur Taber, deceased, is so highly typical. To be more explicit: It was, of course, in democratic New England that the old idea of the descent of honors and power from father to son, together with many other such institutions of aristocracy, met with especial disfavor. A method so sure to render abortive the efforts of genius and ability and to intrench incompetency in the high places could hardly have been devised. they thought, and yet, when we note these very New England houses and see how virtues and abilities descend from father to son through long sequences of generations, although it makes us no more willing than before to countenance such a plan, we can at least form some idea of what the men of the past had in mind when they saw sons of chieftains inherit their fathers' courage and enterprise and hit upon a scheme so simple to insure their succession. So it is that the most democratic of communities provides, in its old families, ma- terial for the defence of aristocracy, and nowhere more consistently than in the case of the Tabers.
Mr. Taber, the distinguished gentleman whose name heads this appre- ciation, and whose death at Pawtucket, Rhode Island, on April 25, 1902, was a loss to the entire community, was descended in the paternal line from Francis Cooke, one of those who came to this country on the "Mayflower," whose daughter, Mary Cooke, married one John Thompson, who had him- self come to the colonies in 1622-23 when a child, with one of the very earli- est embarkations and landed at Plymouth. This John Thompson and his wife were the parents of a daughter, also Mary, who married Thomas Taber, a son of Phillip Taber, the first of the name in this country. The descent from this Thomas Taber ran thus through Joseph Taber, who married Eliz- abeth Spooner; Benjamin Taber, who married Susannah Lewis; Benjamin Taber, who married Eunice Worth; Francis Taber, who married Lydia Russell (1796) ; Francis Taber, who married May Ann Eddy ; Robert Taber, who married Elizabeth Wilbur, and was the father of Thomas Wilbur Taber, with whose career this sketch is chiefly concerned. The Tabers from the outset were highly regarded in the community and this position was maintained by the members down to the present time. They were Quakers in religion and it was in this somewhat strict school that Thomas Wilbur Taber was reared.
Thomas Wilbur Taber was born at New Bedford, Massachusetts, Octo-
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Thomas Wilbur Taber
ber 2, 1858. He passed the first sixteen years of his life in his native town, and received his education at the local public schools, where he proved him- self an intelligent and conscientious student. Upon reaching the age of six- teen, however, he gave up his studies and, leaving the parental roof, went to Providence to learn the trade of machinist. His first employment was with the well-known machine concern of Brown & Sharpe, where he worked for a short time. He then secured a better position with the Pawtucket Manu- facturing Company of Pawtucket, to which city he came and where he there- after made his home until the time of his death, with the exception of the time he lived in Bridgeport. He remained with this concern eight years and during that period gained a most complete knowledge of the practical manu- facture of tools in all its details and made a name for himself as an expert in his line. His reputation went beyond the walls of the concern which em- ployed him and he received an excellent offer from the American Hotchkiss Company, manufacturers of arms and ammunition. He was with this con- cern at the time of the outbreak of the Spanish-American War, when the company removed to Bridgeport, Connecticut, establishing a new and larger plant there. Mr. Taber was placed in entire charge of the shrapnel department and remained in this position for three years, during which time he and his family were obliged to make Bridgeport their temporary home. However, he returned to Pawtucket in 1899 upon receiving an offer from the Coleman Nail Company of that city to take the position of foreman of the die-sinking department in their great plant. This important position Mr. Taber filled until the time of his death. Mr. Taber's ability in the line of work he chose was very marked, but it was by no means his only talent. On the contrary, he had a remarkable talent for organization and executive work which found expression when, in the year 1901 he organized the Paw- tucket Paper Tube Company of Pawtucket. Associated with him in this enterprise was Mr. Arthur Sisson, of Pawtucket, and the two men had the pleasure of seeing their venture prosper in a high degree and a large busi- ness develop. The office of the company was at No. 31 Bayley street, Paw- tucket, and in spite of the exacting demands made upon his time by his duties in the mills of the Coleman Nail Company Mr. Taber acted as man- ager of his own concern until his death.
Mr. Taber was a man of far too broad sympathies and too wide intelli- gence to confine his attention within the limits of the business world, how- ever important might be the work done by him within that sphere. But although he was interested in all the aspects of human life, he had but little time to actually take part in other departments of activity, so arduous were his duties in the realm of business. Thus, as an example, he was profoundly interested in politics and especially in the issues that constantly arise in conduct of the affairs of such a community as the city of Pawtucket. He was a Republican in principles, but had no time to participate actively in affairs and, although he allied himself with the local organization of the party, was unable to play the part that his inclination urged or his talents warranted.
Mr. Taber was united in marriage with Ellen Laura Richardson, March 31, 1885, Mrs. Taber being a daughter of Elisha F. and Huldah C. (Bliss)
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Thomas Wilbur Caber
Richardson, of Pawtucket. Elisha F. Richardson was a native of Maine, having been born in the town of Winslow in 1821. He came to Rhode Island when only thirteen years of age and engaged in the meat business in Paw- tucket. He displayed great energy, courtesy and a high sense of honor and for many years carried on a most remunerative business. In the latter part of his life, however, he was less fortunate and suffered many reverses. He died in Pawtucket at his home on Broadway. To Mr. and Mrs. Taber one child was born, April 13, 1898, a daughter, Olive Bliss Taber, now an accom- plished young lady of eighteen and a member of the class of 1916 of the Pawtucket High School.
Mrs. Taber, who survives her husband, is still a resident of Pawtucket, where she makes her home at No. 24 West avenue. She is related to many prominent old families in the State and elsewhere in New England, especially on her mother's side of the house. Her descent from Asahel Carpenter, who was born in Massachusetts, September 24, 1731, is as follows: Asahel Car- penter married, April 19, 1764, Molly Shorey, born September 24, 1743, a descendant of the famous Miles Standish, the military leader of the Plym- outh Colony. They had a daughter, Susannah Carpenter, born July 19, 1766, and married Abel Medbury, June 12, 1788. Their daughter, Olive Medbury, married Noah Bliss, September 14, 1817. These again had a daughter, Huldah C. Bliss, who married Elisha F. Richardson, and their daughter is Mrs. Taber, of Pawtucket.
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Lewis F. Butler
T HE subject of this memorial enjoyed a high reputation among the people of Pawtucket, and was universally esteemed for his manly qualities and intelligent worth. Lewis F. Butler was born January 14, 1857, in Nankin, Michigan, son of Ste- phen Butler and wife.
The father was the owner and operator of a saw mill, and very early in life the son was. accustomed to work about the establishment. Subsequently he learned the trade of cooper, and when about fifteen years of age made a visit to Vermont. Within a short time, however, he returned to his native place, and when sixteen years of age removed to Pawtucket, Rhode Island, where he continued to reside until his untimely death, November 6, 1914. He was an industrious and ener- getic youth, and rapidly earned his way to promotion. On arriving in Paw- tucket he was apprenticed at the plant of Williani H. Haskell Company to learn the trade of machinist. His advancement here, as elsewhere, was rapid, and in time he became foreman of the forging department, and held that position for a period of nineteen years. During this time, in 1883, Mr. Butler was appointed as a call man on No. I hose wagon of Pawtucket, then located at the corner of Washington and Brown streets. He acted in the capacity of hose man for about a year, when he was elevated to the cap- taincy of that company. It was while he was a member of Hose No. I that he was severely injured in the overturning of the fire apparatus in respond- ing to a fire alarm, July 7, 1884. The chief of the fire department was killed in this accident, and several others were injured. In 1900 Mr. Butler was appointed chief of the fire department, succeeding John W. Willmarth. Since 1895 he had been assistant chief engineer with the exception of two years, when he was not connected with the department. Many improve- ments in the fire fighting and protection system of Pawtucket were made at the instance and through the earnest efforts of Chief Butler. During his administration most of the apparatus was changed from horse-drawn to motor-propelled vehicles. He was continually experimenting in the effort to improve the mechanical equipment of the department, and promote its efficiency. He invented a folding ladder which he was advised to have pat- ented, but he never sought to profit from this invention. He planned to keep all the firemen busy and thus waste no time or effort in fighting fires, and through his management large sums were saved to the department. He undertook, with the assistance of the firemen, to equip the several new motor wagons with the latest appliances, and under his direction the first annual parade of the Pawtucket Fire Department took place only a few days before his death. He was a very active member of the National Association of Fire Chiefs, and had returned only a few days preceding his death from the annual convention of the association in New Orleans, where he was elected vice-president. His demise was somewhat hastened by grief over the death of his son, who passed away just one month before himself, as the
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Lewis F. Butler
result of an accident. Before entering the fire department, Mr. Butler served five years as a license commissioner of Pawtucket. He was a member of Pawtucket Lodge of Elks, Enterprise Lodge and Blackstone Encampment of Odd Fellows, and of the Pawtucket Board of Trade. For some years he served as treasurer of the Firemen's Relief Association. He was a member of St. Paul's (Protestant Episcopal) Church, and in political affairs acted with the Republican party. His body was laid to rest November 8, 1914. in Riverside Cemetery, and the funeral was very largely attended by city officials and others. Many fire chiefs from the departments of other New England cities marched in the cortege from his home, No. 44 Highland street, to the grave. As the body was borne from the house to the ceme- tery, the fire bells on all of the station's tolled at half-minute intervals. The interment of Chief Butler followed exactly four weeks to the day the burial of his son, George F. Butler, who died as a result of injuries sustained while he was cranking the new automobile fire apparatus recently installed at the No. 3 station, Prospect street. The funeral was one of the largest held for a public official in the city in many years. Preceding the cortege was the machine used exclusively by Chief Butler when responding to fire alarms. Chief Mechanician William G. Mack was in charge of the automobile. The late chief's place was vacant and his uniform coat and cap rested on the seat. As many members of the fire department as could be conveniently spared followed the automobile, while several pieces of apparatus trailed in the rear. Rev. Frank Appleton, rector of the Trinity Episcopal Church, con- ducted a plain service at the home. At the cemetery, Enterprise Lodge and Blackstone Encampment, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, under the leadership of Chaplain Harvey McLean, conducted the committal service. Chief Butler was a past chief patriarch in the encampment. The bearers were First Assistant Chief Engineer Charles H. Fuller and William J. Daggett, superintendent of police and fire signals, representing the fire de- partment : John B. Nicholson and Councilman Joseph B. Hunt, representing Pawtucket Lodge, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; William Wood and former Councilman Franklin L. Blake, representing both organi- zations of Odd Fellows. Among the fire chiefs and firemen from other New England cities were Isadore J. Cote, of Woonsocket ; Chief Hiram Packard and William H. Coupe, of Hose 4, Attleboro; Chief Walter B. Randlett, Newton, Massachusetts; Chief Andrew J. Kirwin, Newport; Chief Reuben D. Weekes, Providence; Chief Edward C. Minehan, Marlboro, Massachu- setts; Captain William Brophy, Boston, also secretary of the Fire Chiefs' Club of Massachusetts; Chief William Cady, Wakefield, Massachusetts; Retired Chief Olin O. Hill, Providence; former Assistant Chief August Schroeder, of Pawtucket; John Lynch, of Gloucester, Massachusetts; Chief William J. Lees, Assistant Chief Henry B. Bowker and former Chief Irving F. Patt, of Central Falls. Among the immense profusion of floral offerings were set pieces from the Woonsocket Fire Department; "Jolly Fourteen Club;" Pawtucket Fire Department ; "Friends at the Capitol ;" Leah Lodge, Rebekah Degree; Gamewell Fire Alarm Company ; Enterprise Lodge, Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows; Blackstone Encampment, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; City Government of Pawtucket; Tower Relief
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Lewis F. Butler
Corps; Union Wadding Company ; three attaches, E. E. Lennon, Russel N. Dana and Colonel Patrick E. Hayes, and clerks of the Union Wadding Company : Massachusetts Fire Chiefs' Club; Rosebud Club 'of St. Paul's Church; Attleboro Fire Department; Pawtucket Noble Grands' Associa- tion, Rebekah Degree.
The Providence "Tribune" of November 6, 1914, said: "Chief Butler was considered one the best fire-fighters in New England and many of the im- provements and changes made in the Pawtucket city ordinances regarding deathtraps were made upon his suggestions. He took a prominent part in the affairs of the National Association of Fire Chiefs and at the annual meeting held in New Orleans a few days ago he was elected vice-president. He returned from the convention Tuesday and since that time had been confined to his home by illness. A son of Chief Butler, George F. Butler, formerly a hoseman in the department, died about a month ago following an injury he received wlien a department auto he was cranking pinned him against a wall."
Mr. Butler married, October 26, ISSI, Mary Ella Kane, of Pawtucket. Children: Clara May, born March 25, 1883, now the wife of Andrew J. Weakley, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Mary Ella, born October 9, 1884, a stenographer for the Union Wadding Company, Pawtucket; George Francis, born December 31, 1889, deceased ; Lewis Stephen, born November 14, 1895, at home. .
Alfred Metralf
A T THE age of seventy-five years Alfred Metcalf died in Provi- dence, Rhode Island, a man of whom it was written: "A wise counselor, a stanch friend, a public-spirited citizen, his influence will be missed in many places and in many ways."
He was a descendant of Michael Metcalf, the American founder of the family; who was a son of Rev. Leonard Met- calf, rector of the parish at Tatterford, Norfolkshire. Michael Metcalf was born there in 1587, married, October 13, 1616, Sarah Ellwyn, who bore him eleven children. In an article written by himself after coming to America he says: "Suffering many times for the cause of religion I was forced for the sake of the liberty of my conscience to flee from my wife and children to go into New England. Taking ship for the voyage at London the 17th of September, 1636, and being by tempests tossed up and down the seas until the Christmas following, and then veering about to Plymouth, old England, leaving the ship I went down to Yarmouth in county Norfolk whence I finally shipped myself and family to come to New England; sailed April 15, 1637, and arrived three days before midsum- mer with my wife, nine children, and a servant Thomas Comberbach, aged 16." He located at Dedham, Massachusetts.
The line of descent from Michael Metcalf, the founder, is through his son, Michael (2) Metcalf, born August 29, 1620, and his wife, Mary (Fair- banks) Metcalf; their son, Jonathan Metcalf, born September 21, 1650, and his wife, Hannah (Kenric) Metcalf; their son, Nathaniel Metcalf, born April 17, 1691, and his wife, Mary (Gay) Metcalf; their son, Nathaniel Met- calf, born August 29, 1718, and his wife, Ruth (Whiting) Metcalf; their son, Joel Metcalf, born November 4, 1755, and his wife, Lucy (Gay) Metcalf; their son, Joseph Gay Metcalf, born December 9, 1796, and his wife, Evelina (Houghton) Metcalf; their son, Alfred Metcalf, to whose memory this sketch is dedicated.
Alfred Metcalf, third son and fourth child of Joseph Gay and Evelina (Houghton) Metcalf, was born in Providence, Rhode Island, December 1, 1828, died at his home, in his native city, July 16, 1904. He was educated in the public schools, completing a full course, and was a member of the first class graduated from the then new Providence High School. Later he com- pleted an apprenticeship in civil engineering and engaged in that profession. In 1864 Jesse Metcalf, Henry J. Steere and Stephen T. Olney founded the Wanskuck Company, a manufacturing enterprise, and Mr. Metcalf became associated with that corporation, in which he was actively engaged until the time of his death. As a public official Mr. Metcalf rendered valuable service as school director, councilman and alderman. He was deeply interested in the public schools, and especially active in raising them to a higher place of efficiency during the entire forty years he served as a member of the school committee from the First Ward. He saw the old district school sys-
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Alfred Metcalf
tem give way to the modern system and bore a part in the many improve- ments effected. He was elected a member of Common Council from the First Ward in 1863, serving until 1866, and from 1867 until 1872. He was alderman from 1875 until 1878, and from 1880 until 1883. He was ever a student, especially fond of the study of languages, a lover of books, and a man of wide information. In his religious views he was broad and liberal, a Unitarian in his personal faith, an active worker and member of the First Congregational Church of Providence, Rhode Island. He was very com- panionable, made and retained a host of friends, was a lover of his home, and there found his greatest enjoyment. In politics he was a Republican.
Mr. Metcalf married, November 22, 1860, Rosa Clinton Maloy, of New- port, Rhode Island, who survives him. They were the parents of five chil- dren, two died in infancy, the others are: I. Ralph, born November 2, 1861, a graduate of the University of Michigan, class of 1883, now treasurer and manager of the Metcalf Shingle Company, Tacoma, Washington, and a State Senator; he married Edith Simpson, of Winona, Minnesota, and has a daughter, Elizabeth, who married Edward Fogg, a lawyer of Tacoma, and has a daughter, Elizabeth Fogg. 2. Frederick, born January 31, 1866, a graduate of Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Boston, now treas- urer and manager of the Chase Machine Company of Cleveland, Ohio; he married Alice Duncan Butts, of East Providence. 3. Guy, born November 19, 1873, a graduate of Harvard University, class of 1894, and of the law de- partment of the University of Michigan, Bachelor of Laws, 1904, and prac- ticed his profession in Providence until his death in 1910; he married Clare Louise Burt, of Cleveland, Ohio, and left a daughter Clarissa.
Frank Thomas Pearce
HROUGH his long and prominent connection with the jew- elry business, as a leading spirit in the New England Manu- facturing Jewelers' and Silversmiths' Association from its earliest days, as a prominent member of the Masonic order, holding the thirty-third and highest degree of American Free Masonry, as an ex-member of the Rhode Island Legis- lature, Frank Thomas Pearce was brought into intimate re- lation with men in many sections of the country, men of every station and creed. It is worthy of everlasting remembrance that the quality of his mind, character and personality was such that he won the warm friendship of every man who came to know him well. He was enthusiastic in whatever undertaking he engaged, whether it was in business, fraternity, or social function, and was always a contributing factor to its success. He was always ready to "lend a hand," was a dispenser of sunshine and hope, and the number of his friends was "legion."
He was a descendant of that Richard Pearce, born in England, in 1590, who came to America in the ship "Lion" from Bristol, his brother, Captain William Pearce, being master of the ship. This Richard Pearce was a son of Richard Percy, who resided on the homestead of his father, also Richard Percy, founder of Pearce Hall, in York, England, where he lived and died. Richard Percy, of Pearce Hall, was a son of Peter Percy, who was standard bearer to King Richard III. at the battle of Bosworth Field in 1485. The Percy lineage is traced to the time of Galfred, the line direct to Richard, the American founder, who spelled his name Pearce, descendants also spelling it Pearse, Pierce and Peirce.
Richard Pearce, the founder, had a son, Richard Pearce, who married in Portsmouth, Rhode Island. in 1642, Susannah Wright. They were the parents of George Pearce. The line of descent to Frank Thomas Pearce of the ninth American generation from George and Alice (Hart) Pearce of the third generation follows: James Pearce, married Martha Wilbur; their son, James (2) Pearce, married Sarah Summons; their son, Right Pearce, mar- ried Anstris Sawyer; their son, Thomas Pearce, married Eliphal Tompkins; their son, Franklin Pearce, married Elizabeth Najac; their son, Frank Thomas Pearce, to whose memory this sketch is dedicated.
Franklin Pearce was of Little Compton, long the family seat, and did not locate in Providence until his seventeenth year. He was a contractor of painting, did a very large business and for half a century his home on Cope street (formerly Trinity) was a social centre, the abode of a generous and open-handed hospitality. He died May 31, 1900, aged eighty years. His wife Elizabeth died June 5, 1903, aged eighty years. They were the par- ents of Frank Thomas, Anna E., Eleanor E., Nellie B.
Frank Thomas Pearce, only son of Franklin and Elizabeth (Najac) Pearce, was born in Providence, Rhode Island, November 13, 1848, died at his home, No. 161 Elmwood avenue, in his native city, June 17, 1913. He
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Frank Chomas Dearte
attended the primary and intermediate Fountain street schools, then entered high school, completing his junior year in 1864. An excellent business op- portunity offering, he left school to enter the employ of the Kendall Manu- facturing Company, with whom he remained seven years, becoming city salesman and in charge of the shipping department. In 1871 he resigned his position to become traveling salesman for the firm of Richard Cross & Sons, of Providence, manufacturers of gold, stylographic and fountain pens. He represented his house in New England, and in the cities of New York, Philadelphia and Washington for four years, then accepted a similar posi- tion with the Ray Manufacturing Company of New York City, covering western territory to the Missouri river. He continued in this position until 1880, then returned to Providence and until his death was engaged in jew- elry manufacturing under his own name. He first formed a partnership with John Hoagland, and as Pearce & Hoagland opened a factory at No. 107 Friendship street, manufacturing gold pens. fountain pens and gold toothpicks. The original force of half a dozen hands was soon increased and in 1881 the first factory was abandoned for larger quarters in the Sum- mons building, No. 94 Point street. In 1888 Mr. Hoagland retired and a new company was organized by Mr. Pearce admitting Aldridge B. Gardiner and C. H. Perkins as special partners. The business grew rapidly, employ- ing one hundred hands, and in 1893 the firm moved to the new jewelry fac- tory on Sprague street. In 1907 the business was incorporated as the F. T. Pearce Company, with Frank T. Pearce, president, his son, Aldridge G. Pearce, treasurer. Mr. Pearce put into the business all his sagacity and energy, its growth from a small beginning being chiefly attributable to him although ably seconded by his son in later years.
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