USA > Rhode Island > Memorial encyclopedia of the state of Rhode Island > Part 32
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From its earliest days, Mr. Pearce was a leading spirit in the New Eng- land Manufacturing Jewelers' and Silversmiths' Association, was its presi- dent from 1898 until 1902, and on his retirement from office received a beau- tiful silver token of appreciation from the members of the association. He was not merely the executive, but in all the social affairs of the association, its winter banquets, its summer outings, took active part and contributed largely to the pleasure and success of such occasions. No member of the jewelers' fraternity in Providence had more or firmer friends than he. It was said of him: "He always wanted to do some one a good turn." He "radiated sunshine, hope and good nature."
A deep interest in his life and one that brought him prominently before the best men of his State was his Free Masonry. He held every degree of both York and Scottish Rites that can be conferred in this country, includ- ing the thirty-third degree, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite. That is a greatly coveted degree and is one that cannot be applied for, but is con- ferred by the Sovereign body, for "distinguished service rendered the Order." Consequently the number of thirty-three degree Masons is rela- tively small. He was a member of St. John's Lodge, Providence, Chapter and Council, St. John's Commandery, Rhode Island Consistory, was a past officer of all these bodies and was a member and past president of the Massa- chusetts and Rhode Island Association of Knights Templar Eminent Com- manders. He was greatly beloved by the order and to its work and welfare
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Frank Thomas Pearce
gave unsparingly of himself. He was also a member of that social branch of Masonry, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, and was past potentate of Pales- tine Temple.
A Republican in politics Mr. Pearce, although representing his district in the Rhode Island House of Representatives for one term, was not a poli- tician nor an office-seeker. He was scrupulous in his regards for the rights of others and gave to every man the right of opinion as freely as he de- manded it for himself. He was enthusiastic in whatever public or semi- public matters he engaged, this quality rendering him a valuable member of any organization or enterprise. His clubs were the West Side, of which he was a past president, and the Pomham.
Mr. Pearce married, May 14, 1873, Annie Rathbun Gardiner, born March 29, 1855, in Providence, daughter of Aldridge B. and Agnes D. (Jackson) Gardiner. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Pearce: Aldridge Gar- diner, narrative of whom appears on following page; William H., born Feb- ruary 4, 1882, died March, 1882; Anna E.
Aldridge Gardiner Dearte
A MONG the younger jewelry manufacturers of Providence, in political and club life, Aldridge G. Pearce was well known, prominent and popular. He inherited his father's energy and ability and from 1893 until his death in 1914 was asso- ciated with him in business, a valued assistant and coadju- tor. He bore heavy responsibilities, even before the death of Frank T. Pearce and when in 1913 the founder and head of the F. T. Pearce Company was stricken with a fatal illness, the son assumed still heavier burdens, finally himself breaking beneath the strain. He was highly regarded in business circles and was an important factor in the success of the company, father and son working in perfect harmony, each having for the other a feeling of utmost confidence and respect, even beyond the bounds of paternal and filial love.
Aldridge Gardiner Pearce, only son of Frank Thomas and Annie Rath- bun (Gardiner) Pearce, was born in Providence, Rhode Island, April 2, 1875, and died .at the family home, No. 161 Elmwood avenue, April 5, 1914. He completed a course in the public schools, and after graduation from high school completed a course in Bryant & Stratton's Business College, graduat- ing in 1893. The jewelry manufacturing firm of which his honored father was the head had just moved from Point street to their factory on Sprague street and there Aldridge G. Pearce joined the enterprise. His business career was entirely connected with this firm and with the manufacture of jewelry, prin- cipally society emblems, fountain pens, gold pens and similar lines. He was his father's valued assistant until the organization of the F. T. Pearce Com- pany, when he became a part owner and secretary-treasurer of the corpora- tion. Frank T. Pearce died June 17, 1913, and upon the young man came a. weight of added responsibility in the management of the business. He nobly shouldered his burden and threw himself into his task with all his energy. Some changes in business system, hitherto contemplated, were carried into effect with satisfactory results, and life seemingly held for the young man nothing but promise. But the nervous strain resulting from the loss of his father, comrade and friend and the added responsibility resulted in a nervous breakdown. Although advised by his physician that he must absolutely rest for a time, he refused to surrender and continued at his post until within a few days prior to his decease.
Mr. Pearce was like his father honored and prominent in the Masonic order. He was a Master Mason of St. John's Lodge, a Companion of Provi- dence Chapter, a Cryptic Mason of Providence Council, a Knight Templar of St. John's Commandery, a thirty-second degree Mason, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, and past potentate of Palestine Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He was thoroughly imbued with the spirit of fraternity and greatly beloved by his brethren. In politics he was a Republican and from early life a party worker. He represented the Seventh Ward of Providence in
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Aldridge Gardiner Pearce
Common Council for three years and was always a force in party councils. His favorite recreation was yachting, most of his hours off duty being spent in cruising New England waters. He was a member of the Edgewood Yacht Club and in 1910 was fleet captain of the Rhode Island Yacht Club. His social clubs were the West Side and the Pomham. He was laid to final rest in North End Cemetery, his brethren performing over their comrade the beautiful Masonic burial service.
Stephen Paine
T HE late Stephen Paine, long a prominent citizen of Providence, Rhode Island, and highly esteemed by the whole commu- nity, was a scion of one of the oldest American families and inherited from a long line of illustrious ancestors the traits of character that have been looked upon as typical of the best stock of New England and have made that region what it is to-day. The founder of the family in this country was Thomas Paine, who came from England, landed at Plymouth, Massachu- setts, and settled at Yarmouth in that colony, where he was made a free- man in 1639 and in the same ycar was chosen the first deputy from that town to the General Court at Plymouth. There are three forms of this name now in common use-Paine, Payne and Payn. The first form given prevails in New England, and the second in the South and in England. Undoubtedly the name originated in the Latin word paganus, the antecedent of which was paugus, a village. In Normandy a family of distinction was known under the name of Payen, Payens or Paiens. Thence the name was carried across the Channel and became Anglicized.
John Sampson Paine, father of Stephen Paine, was born February 6, 1789, at Plymouth, Massachusetts, and died there September 29, 1878, at the age of ninety years, minus a few months. He married Susan Wheeler (Barker) Holmes, the widow of Charles Holmes, November 29, 1832. She was born at Newport, Rhode Island, in the year 1804 and died in 1882. Four children were born of this union: Stephen, of whom further; an infant, died in 1835; Hannah Sherman, born at Plymouth, Massachusetts, 1836; and John S., born at Plymouth in 1838.
Stephen Paine, the eldest child of John Sampson and Susan Wheeler (Barker-Holmes) Paine, was born September 16, 1833, at Plymouth, Massa- chusetts, the house in which he and the other children in the family were born, standing within a few hundred feet of the Plymouth Rock. The old building, standing amid such historic surroundings, has since been removed, but was photographed prior to this event so that it is preserved to the memory of the Paine family who dwelt in it for many years. The lad attended the local public schools for his education and later, as a youth, went to Fall River, Massachusetts, where he learned the trade of jeweler. Subsequently he was employed for some time as a journeyman in New York City, whence he removed to Providence, Rhode Island, where he continued to follow his trade for a considerable period. In the year 1860 he engaged in the jewelry business on his own account, locating on Westminster street, Providence, where he established one of the finest business houses on that street and the first in the Lyceum Building. At first he was a member of the firm of Paine & Webster, but this association was dissolved after a little time, Mr. Paine showing a preference for being in business alone, which thereafter was conducted under the style of Stephen Paine. Mr. Paine twice changed the location of his establishment; once shortly after the
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Stephen Paine
severence of the connection with his partner when he removed to the Mar- shall Woods Building, and again later to the Edward D. Pierce Building, remaining at the latter location until his death. Mr. Paine pursued a course of study in optics in Boston, and upon its completion added the optical business to that of jeweler already established by him. In time he worked out of the latter to a great extent and devoted his time principally to the optical business and his trade as a dealer in diamonds. He was an acknow !- edged authority on diamonds and his dealings. in these were very large. Mr. Paine was a regular attendant of the Union Congregational Church of Providence, and was a man of the highest moral character, respected and esteemed by the whole community, and surrounded himself with many friends. Aside from his business, his time was largely given to his family, of which he was very fond. Politically he was a staunch Republican, and although he sought no place in the conduct of public affairs his judgments were respected and his opinions often sought.
Stephen Paine was married at Fall River, Massachusetts, May 29, 1861, to Adelaide Borden, of that city, where she was born January 25, 1839, a daughter of Andrew and Eliza (Dean) Borden, of whom further mention is made below. To Mr. and Mrs. Paine two children were born: Emma Bor- den, born in Providence, Rhode Island, June 16, 1862, died in that city, December 31, 1879; and Andrew Dean, born in Providence, May 17, 1870. He was educated at Providence, graduating from the high school there and from the private school of Mr. Anthony. In the year 1894 he went South to learn the cotton business, in which it was his intention to engage, stay- ing that year at Memphis, Tennessee, and the following season making a trip through the western part of the cotton belt. He then settled at Natchez, Mississippi, and there carried on a very successful business in this article until 1909. After the death of his father, which occurred in that year, he returned to the North in order to be near his mother, and has since then continued his business in cotton at New Bedford, Massachusetts. During the time he lived in the South the cotton business was so managed that sev- eral months in the summer were left in which an extended vacation might be taken, and these periods were spent by Mr. Paine in travel and at his camp in the Maine woods. Several most interesting trips were taken in this way, two of which deserve special mention. In 1900 he spent a long time abroad and was the first to ascend the Jungfrau in the twentieth cen- tury. He also witnessed the Passion Play at Oberammergau and travelled into the Poland region, where so much of the fighting of the great war is going on. He then went to Moscow and St. Petersburg, crossed Finland and then returned by way of the Baltic Sea to Western Europe, visiting the Paris Exposition and other events and places of interest. Another trip, which he took in 1903, led him to the western part of this continent, when he travelled the greater part of the length of the Yukon river and visited the most important places of interest from the Southwest to the extreme North- west. Andrew Dean Paine was married, June 14, 1905, to Jeannette Holli- day Baker, at Jeannette, Mississippi, where she was born August 9, 1886. They have had one daughter, Laura Baker Paine, born at Jeannette, Febru- ary 23: 1908. After his marriage Mr. Paine took another trip similar to the
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Stephen Paine
previous one, accompanied this time by his wife. They went through the Grand Canyon and thence to Portland, arriving there at the time of the Lewis & Clark Exposition.
At the time of their son's first western trip in 1903, Stephen Paine and his wife were also travelling. On this occasion they went to Europe and spent some time there, and later travelled in the Southern States of this country, going as far west as Galveston, Texas, where the great sea wall was just nearing completion, the connection at Key West, Florida, being made in 1906. Mrs. Paine is a member of the Union Congregational Church and one of the Women's Guild Auxiliary of that body. She is greatly esteemed and honored among the best people of her home city. The death of Mr. Paine which occurred at Providence, Rhode Island, January 17, 1909, was very widely lamented and his memory will long be cherished as that of an industrious business man, a leader in progress and one of the most upright and substantial citizens of Rhode Island's metropolis. He is survived by his wife, his son and daughter-in-law, a granddaughter, a sister and a brother.
The Borden family from which Mrs. Paine is descended is of very ancient origin and came from Normandy into England with William the Con- queror, the name appearing on the Roll of Battle Abbey as Bordown. It finds many forms in early records. Richard Borden, the founder of the fam- ily, in America, came from Kent, England, and was of the ninth recorded English generation. He was born in Hedcorn, Kent, England, and there baptized February 22, 1596. He was a son of Matthew and Joan Borden. He married, in Hedcorn Church, September 28, 1625, Joan Fowle, who accompanied him to America in 1638, settling at Portsmouth, where she died July 15, 1688, and he, May 25, 1671. He was a man of means, a surveyor, and acquired large tracts of land in Rhode Island and New Jersey. One of his sons settled in the latter colony. The fourth son of Richard and Joan ( Fowle) Borden, John Borden, was born in the month of September, 1640, at Ports- mouth, Rhode Island, where he died June 4, 1716. He married, on Christmas Day, 1670, Mary Earle, born in 1655, at Portsmouth, and died there in 1734. She was a daughter of William and Mary (Walker) Earle, granddaughter of Ralph Earle. Their eldest child was Richard (2) Borden, born October 25, 1671, and lived about a mile from the east shore of Mount Hope Bay, and two and one-half miles south of the present city hall in Fall River, his home- stead comprising about two hundred acres of land. He also owned other tracts. and at the time of his death, at the age of sixty years, was the largest landholder in the town of Tiverton, and one of the wealthiest. He married Inocent Wordel and their second son, Thomas Borden, born December 8, 1697, lived in Tiverton and there died in the month of April, 1740. He owned extensive lands and lived near the Fall River stream, below the Great Falls. He married, August 14, 1721, Mary, daughter of Christopher and Meribah Gifford, born October 6, 1695. Their eldest son was Richard (3) Borden, born in 1722, inherited from his father an estate that had been the property of his grandfather, Richard (2) Borden. During the Revolution the British forces destroyed his saw mill and a large quantity of lumber owned by his sons who were operating the mill. The father was carried away a prisoner
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Stephen Daine
with the others and his dwelling house burned. He died July 4, 1795. He was married, March 12, 1747, to Hope Cook. Their eldest son, Thomas (2) Borden, was born in the year 1750 and inherited the homestead of his father in Fall River and there lived. His estate included also the saw and grist mills and some outlying lands which had been handed down in the family through several generations and remained in its possession until 1721, when the portion along the Fall River stream was sold to the Fall River Iron Works Company. The management of this property continued in the hands of the Borden family. Thomas (2) Borden married Mary Hathaway, born in 1757, and their fourth son was Captain Thomas (3) Borden, born Febru- ary 6, 1786. He commanded vessels in the scagoing trade and put the first steamboat through the Seaconnet river. He died at Fall River, June 25, 1855. He married (first) November II, ISII, Lydia, daughter of Deacon Richard and Patience (Borden) Durfee, born February II, 1794, at Tiver- ton, died June 20, 1834, at Fall River. He married (second) Lusannah, younger sister of his first wife and widow of his elder brother, Isaac Borden. His second son, Andrew Borden, was born February 22, 1814, at Fall River, and died there December 20, 1844. He carried on a large business in Fall River in coal and lumber and was but thirty years of age at the time of his death. His widow subsequently married Deacon Hiram Bliss, of Fall River. Mr. and Mrs. Borden were the parents of three children, as follows: Ann Eliza, born at Fall River, September 5, 1836, died February 25, 1909; Ade- laide Borden, widow of Stephen Paine, born at Fall River, January 25, 1839; Andrew Borden, born at Fall River, July 31, 1843. They are of the ninth generation of the family in this country, and the eighteenth from the first recorded ancestor in England.
Sylvester 31. Chate
SYLVESTER J. CHACE, one of the most upright and es- teemed citizens of Providence, died at his home there June 12, 1895, widely regretted and deeply mourned. He was born and lived all his life in Providence, a son of Alvah and Clarissa J. Chace, and was reared under Christian teaching. His broad mind and generous sympathies drew about him a very wide circle of friends, which no doubt contributed in no small degree to his success in business.
As a youth he went to work in the jewelry business and learned the trade of jeweler, which he followed until some years after his marriage. In association with Daniel Champlin, who was also a jeweler, he embarked in business, opening a meat market, which became one of the most popular in the city of Providence. Mr. Chace was very attentive to business, and his genial nature and friendly handclasp brought many customers to the mar- ket. Those who came there were certain to become permanent customers, because they always received courteous treatment and value received in honest wares. Mr. Chace was a man of very charitable disposition, and was ever attentive to cases of suffering or misfortune that came to his knowl- edge. It was enough for him to know that one was in trouble or in need. His hand and purse were ever ready to afford assistance. He had very limited educational opportunities when young, but was a close observer and an industrious reader, and became one of the best informed men of his native town. His friendly nature made him congenial to strangers, and his circle of acquaintances was constantly widened. Mr. Chace was a man of the highest Christian character, a faithful attendant of Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church of Providence, with which all his family were affiliated.
In 1859 he married Harriet J. Champlin, born in Warwick, Rhode Island, daughter of Daniel and Harriet (McIntyre) Champlin, the former a native of South Kingston and the latter of Warwick. Daniel Champlin mar- ried (second) Susan Bentley. His only child, born of the first marriage, was Harriet J., wife of Mr. Chace. This worthy couple were the parents of the following children: 1. Olive, wife of Clarence C. Eddy, and mother of Mrs. Olive Eaton, Clarence C., Dorothy and Rachel Eddy. 2. Josephine C., wife of Professor Walter Jacobs, and the mother of Mrs. Lucile Williams. 3. Daniel C., of Washington, D. C. 4. Mabel, residing with their mother at Providence.
The character and career of Mr. Chace point to success in life's journey, and those who desire happiness and prosperity should heed the same. He lived a worthy life, enjoying the esteem of all who were privileged to know him, and died in the hope of a blessed immortality. At his funeral services there was a large attendance of relatives and friends, including delegations from St. John's Lodge, No. I, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and St. John's Commandery, Knights Templar. Rev. James M. Taber, of Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church, where Mr. Chace, although a member of
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Splbester 31, Chace
Mathewson Street Methodist Episcopal Church, attended, read selections from the first and twenty-third Psalms and from the twenty-fourth chapter of St. Luke, making a short eulogistic address with prayer. The bearers were Herbert J. Briggs, William K. Reynolds, George A. Harrington and William O. Sherman, from St. John's Lodge, No. I, Ancient Free and Ac- cepted Masons. The remains were placed in a tomb in North End Ceme- tery, where services according to the Masonic ritual were conducted by Worshipful Master Waiter A. Presbrey, of St. John's Lodge, after which interment was at North Attleboro. Mr. Chace was a faithful member of the great Masonic brotherhood, which exemplified his principles of benevolence and charity. After his death St. John's Commandery and St. John's Lodge of Providence were called by the respective presiding officers to attend his funeral, and the calls for the same are herewith appended :
ST. JOHN'S COMMANDERY.
The Commander, with great regret, announces the death, on the 12th inst., of our brother, Sylvester J. Chace. Members are respectfully invited to attend the funeral at his late residence, 362 Point street, on Friday next, at II o'clock. The committal service will be under the direction of the Worshipful Master of Saint John's Lodge.
By Order of the Commander. CHARLES C. NEWHALL, Captain General.
. Providence, June 12, 1895.
ST. JOHN'S LODGE, No. 1, PROVIDENCE, A. F. AND A. M.
The Worshipful Master announces with great regret the death of Brother Sylvester J. Chace on the 12th inst. Members are requested to be present at the Masonic Temple Friday, June 14, at 10 a. m., to attend the funeral. Brethren of sister lodges are cordially invited to attend.
By order of
W. A. PRESBREY, Master.
Apron Winfield Tells
B YRON WINFIELD WELLS, who died in Providence, Rhode Island, October 23, 1908, was born in Foster, Rhode Island, May 28, 1849, a son of Dexter and Mercelia (Bennett) Wells, lifelong residents of the place and probably themselves na- tives. Byron Winfield Wells was the second of a family of four children, his brothers and sisters being Lydia, Benja- min A. and Susan, and he received his education in the pub- lic schools of his native town. His advantages, however, were of the most meager and extended no further than the common school, as his father, who was a drayman in Foster, died while the son was but thirteen years of age, and he, as the eldest of the boys, was obliged to leave his studies and set to work, learning the carpenter's trade, which he followed for some time at Cranston and later at Providence, Rhode Island, whither he had gone thinking to find larger opportunities in the larger place. For a time he worked for the Spragues who were engaged in contract work on a large scale, but his ambi- tion was great and he kept constantly in mind the desire to outgrow the position of employee and engage in business for himself. By dint of hard work and rigid economy, he gradually saved up the necessary capital and in the meantime made the acquaintance of a gentleman of prominence who was duly impressed with the young man's ability and earnestness. This was Raymond Rathbun, at that time high sheriff of Providence county, with whom Mr. Wells formed a partnership and engaged in the lumber busi- ness. Valuable tracts of timber land were purchased by them, a planing mill erected and much lumber was prepared for the market. Success attended their venture from the outset and a very large business was done by them for many years. Later Mr. Wells became associated with Henry Fuller, who operated a successful livery business on Tobey street, Providence, they doing a large business in shipping horses. After a number of years, however, Mr. Wells discontinued this business and engaged in an independ- ent enterprise on Courtland street as a dealer in coal, wood, grain and hay. In this he engaged for seventeen years until the time of his death, meeting with a high degree of success. He was extremely active in business circles and did much work for the advancement of the general business interests of the place. He was one of the directors of the Providence Fuel Society and one of the distributers and it is said that no poor man ever made application to him and went away without the fuel necessary to his wants. He was also one of the surveyors and corders of wood appointed annually by the city of Providence and performed this important function with a great deal of ability for a number of years.
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