USA > Rhode Island > Memorial encyclopedia of the state of Rhode Island > Part 33
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Mr. Wells was keenly interested in the question of politics and gave much of his time and energy to public affairs, but he was of far too inde- pendent mind to rise as high in partisan politics as his talents would have justified. A Democrat in general belief, he usually voted with that party on national issues, but in local affairs he was purely independent and reserved
Byron Winfield Wells
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Byron Winfield Wells
the right to make his choice of cause and candidate without regard to the political name attached to them. He was a conspicuous figure in social and club circles and was particularly prominent in Masonic circles, being a mem- ber of Temple Lodge, No. 18, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, of Green- ville; of the Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, of Scituate; and St. John's Com- mandery, No. I, Knights Templar. He was also a member of the West Side Club of Providence for many years.
Byron Winfield Wells was married at Scituate, Massachusetts, to Mer- cie A. Wells, like himself a native of the town of Foster, Rhode Island, and a daughter of Joseph M. and Diana (Jenks) Wells, old and highly respected residents of that place, where the former was engaged in a lumber business and in farming. To Mr. and Mrs. Joseph M. Wells were born seven children as follows: Cylinda, Caleb, Nelson, Phoebe, Amos, Sophronia and Mercie A. Mrs. Wells survives her husband and still makes her home in Providence, where she attends the Christian Science church and is a prominent figure in the city's life. Byron Winfield Wells was a man of fine character and of strong and vigorous beliefs, deliberate in making up his mind, but sure and indefatigable in pursuit of his objective once his mind was made up. Yet his objects never infringed the rights of others and he was the possessor of an unusual sense of justice which made him respect those rights as puncti- liously as his own. He was a man of gracious manner and attractive bear- ing, a delightful companion, ready and able to talk upon a wide range of sub- jects, and if it was his virtues that held the friends he had once made it was these graces that made them for him in such numbers in the first place. For Mr. Wells was the possessor of an unusually large circle of warm and de- voted friends in the lives of whom his death made a very grave gap. An- other manner in which his warm-hearted nature showed itself was in his great devotion to his family which he showed in his constant thought for the happiness of its members, and in the happiness which he himself found in the hours spent by his own hearthstone. He was also very fond of open-air life and particularly of riding and driving, a fondness which extended to the horses which he used and of which he owned a number of handsome ones. A public-spirited citizen, a good neighbor, a delightful comrade, a faithful friend, an affectionate husband, Mr. Wells may well serve the youth of the community as an example of worthy manhood.
Leroy &. Brant
T HERE are not many families that have sustained so high a character through so great a term of years and in so many different climes as has that which bears the name of Grant, originally of the purest Scotch blood, but now distributed throughout the civilized world where they have everywhere identified themselves with the life of the community where they have settled. But whether in their native Scotland, where they were known as the great Grant Clan, whether in the United States, where so many derivative families have settled, or whether in the uttermost parts of the earth, the men of that name have acquitted them- selves with distinction and won positions of prominence in the various homes they have chosen. In New England. Leroy S. Grant, a representa- tive of this well-known family in the generation just past, whose death at Providence, Rhode Island, on September 10, 1910, was a loss to the com- munity, well maintained the high standard of citizenship and manhood established by his ancestors in time past.
Leroy S. Grant was a son of Nathaniel and Hannah (McIntire) Grant, old and highly respected residents of Berwick, Maine, and it was in that town that he was himself born in December, 1838. He passed his childhood in his native place and there attended the local public schools for his educa- tion. The somewhat slender educational advantages to be gained at these institutions he supplemented very effectively with a great deal of reading and an extremely alert and accurate power of observation. He was an am- bitious lad and took the best possible advantage of every opportunity offered him, showing even at this age the qualities of determination and enterprise that eventually brought him to the position that he occupied in the com- munity. As soon as he had completed his studies at school, he left the home of his parents and the town of Berwick altogether and made his way to North Attleboro, Massachusetts, where he apprenticed himself to a jewelry manufacturer and learned that trade. A brother, older than himself by a considerable number of years, had gone some time before to the city of Providence, Rhode Island, and had already established himself there in a very successful jewelry business. His sister Lydia also made her home in that city, having married Lewis Najac, a prominent Providence man. For this manifold reason then the young man, now at the end of his term of apprenticeship, decided also to go to Providence, which he did and made it his permanent home thereafter until the close of his life. He found em- ployment with his brother, Nathaniel Grant, a jeweler, and quickly showed himself of so much assistance to the elder man that he was rapidly raised in position. He was shortly afterwards given charge of one of the depart- ments of the business, in which position of responsibility he acquitted him- self with much credit. For many years he remained thus associated with . his brother, but shortly after the Civil War he decided to embark on an independent business venture, purely on his own account. This determina-
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Leroy S. Grant
tion was made partly because his strong and individual nature desired a more complete independence for its expression than was possible in any other situation than at the head of his own business, but perhaps, even more because of his intense love of horses which led him to desire a more constant contact with them. He had already laid by a sufficient capital to establish himself in his new enterprise, and accordingly he opened a livery stable on the corner of Fountain and Federal (now Cope) streets, Providence. The new business flourished from the first and later he was able to build a large new stable for himself on Batley street. This he was later able to dispose of, selling it to another man in the same line of business at a large advance, and then removed to a location on Empire street, as it is now called, then known as Walker street. In this new location he continued to do business until the time of his death in 1910. The success of Mr. Grant in his venture was great, the business grew and developed from year to year until at the close of his life it was one of the largest establishments of the kind in that region. But little insight is required to see that his success was entirely built upon his possession of the two requirements obviously necessary. Love of horses was the first of these, the same taste that had first suggested the idea of taking up the calling at all, and his general grasp of practical affairs the second, the latter talent being so pronounced that it would un- doubtedly have caused him to succeed in any occupation he might have chosen.
Leroy S. Grant was united in marriage with Mary Eleanor Holines, a daughter of Daniel and Mary (Najac) Holmes, and a niece of Lewis Najac, who had married Lydia, Mr. Grant's sister, as above mentioned. Both the parents of Mrs. Grant came of well-known Providence families, her father being a successful grocer of that city for many years with a charming old home at the corner of Fountain and Cope streets.
Mr. Grant was a man of many friends, progressive and public-spirited, and he enjoyed a general popularity even among those who did not know him personally. He was in the fullest sense of the term a self-made man, start- ing out for himself with no financial backing whatsoever and by dint of hard work and perseverence he made a name for himself of which any man might feel proud, a name for intelligence, ability and foresight, but besides this a name for more than all of these together, a name for absolute honor and justice in his dealing with all his fellows, so that all men felt perfect confi- dence in him knowing that his word was as good as his bond. His devotion to horses has been mentioned above, and he was an expert judge of the ani- mal that he was so fond of. He had an especial admiration for a fine thor- oughbred and was a well-known figure in racing circles all over the State and throughout New England. He was often called upon to judge in impor- tant races and start the horses. He had just acted in the former capacity at an important meet, in spite of his seventy-two years, and was about to do so again when his death occurred suddenly. His funeral was attended by all the best known horsemen in the State and by a very large number of the prominent business men of Providence. Since the death of Mr. Grant, his wife has made her home at Edgewood, Rhode Island.
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Charles Comund Longley
B ARELY a half century of life was allotted Charles Edmund Longley, but they were years gloriously spent, full of busi- ness success and honorable effort as a citizen. Thrown upon his own resources in his youth, he rapidly developed a re- markable business ability and while yet a minor held impor- tant managerial position. He rapidly climbed the ladder of success and for many years he viewed life from an assured and eminent position. But there was more of honorable achievement in his life than his rise in the business world. He solved in his own circle the prob- lems arising between employer and employee and in all the ramifications of his large business, the welfare of his employees was scrupulously regarded, and he was regarded by them as their friend as well as their employer. This friendly personal relation broke down all barriers, suspicion and distrust was banished and a true spirit of cooperation established that worked for the good of all.
A successful business man, very popular with all classes, genial, gener- ous and open-hearted, thoroughly alive to his responsibilities as a citizen, Mr. Longley was the ideal candidate, and as such attracted the envious eyes of the politicians who would have used his manly personal qualities to further their own ends. Party leaders often importuned him to allow his name to be used as a candidate, the governorship at one time being vigorously urged upon him. But never for an instant did he waver in his refusal to become a candidate for any political office, great or small, not that he lacked either patriotism or confidence in his own ability, but from a pure dislike for public office with its attendant obligation to surrender so much of his personal inde- pendence and thought to conform to party needs. For he was not an oppor- tunist, but held firmly to that which was right and as firmly opposed that which was wrong, party ties never binding his conscience. Hence he lived and died a private citizen; honored, respected and loved by all who knew him, his name a synonym for integrity in the business world, and for loyalty in his social and home circle.
Paternally Mr. Longley was of the Maine branch of the Longley family founded in Lynn, Massachusetts, by Richard Longley in 1635. The coat-of- arms of the Longley family is as follows: Quarterly-First and fourth, parti per fesse or and azure. Second and third, parti per pale argent and gules. The former on a chevron sable, three bezants or. The latter, two chevronels. Crest : A lion sejant argent. Motto: Esse quam videri. His maternal relationship was with the Swift family, another of New England's old and honored families.
Charles Edmund Longley was born in Sidney, Maine, in 1850, and died at his home, No. 87 Walcott street, Pawtucket, Rhode Island, November 29, 1899. He was educated in the public schools of Sidney and at Maine Wes- leyan Seminary at Kent's Hill. In youth he was left an orphan, dependent upon his own exertions, this condition, however, but stimulating his ambi- tion and nerving him for life's battle. After completing his studies at Wes- leyan Seminary he left the home of his youth and in pursuit of his ambition
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VIDERI
Langley
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Charles Edmund Longley
to become a factor in the business world located in Boston, Massachusetts. He found employment in a clothing store as clerk and in the years that fol- lowed until 1876 he was engaged with several of the leading retail clothing firms of the city in more than an ordinary capacity. He not only became thoroughly familiar with every detail of the clothing business but he devel- oped a method of salesmanship and a deportmient toward customers that won him a standing with his employers and a popularity with the trade. He was devoted to the interests of his employers and his change of firms was not that his services were not satisfactory, but were part of his plan of preparation, for the time he was resolved should come when he would be a proprietor. He was often promoted in rank and compensation, but the varied experiences of this period of his life were the most valuable to him.
In 1876 he collected his savings and decided the time was ripe to make his start in business for himself. He chose Providence, Rhode Island, as a location, and there in association with Mr. George Talbot, of Brookline, Mas- sachusetts, he opened a retail clothing store, trading as the Boston and Provi- dence Clothing Company. His Boston experience had admirably fitted him for his new responsibilities and the new venture won instant public favor. But the store in Providence, successful as it was, did but pave the way to greater effort .. His ambition was for a chain of stores and soon branches began to appear in other New England cities until the company's sign ap- peared over stores in Pawtucket, Woonsocket, Rhode Island, Fall River and Worcester, Massachusetts, New Haven, Hartford and New Britain, Con- necticut. These were not small stores in obscure localities, but in the best . locations and finest buildings obtainable. The store at Pawtucket was in the Music Hall building, the store in Woonsocket was in the Longley build- ing, one of the finest in the city. This chain of retail stores formed an im- mense outlet for goods and naturally Mr. Longley was attracted by the wholesale and manufacturing possibilities, eventually becoming a member of the Standard Clothing Company of Boston, operating stores in New York State and in New England. Later the Boston and Providence Cloth- ing Company and the Standard Clothing Company consolidated, bringing under one management the huge business of both companies.
It would now seem as though Mr. Longley had fully realized the ambi- tions of his youth and had found sufficient outlet for even his immense energy. But not so; on February 15, 1893, the J. B. Barnaby Company of Providence was absorbed by purchase from the heirs of J. B. Barnaby and the business continued as a corporation, The J. B. Barnaby Company, Mr. Longley being elected president and general manager. From that time for- ward Mr. Longley gradually disposed of his stores and interests outside New England, and several of the branches in New England, retaining, how- ever the New Haven and Woonsocket stores and increasing his holdings of the stock of The J. B. Barnaby Company, becoming the owner of or con- trolling the greater portion of the stock of that highly successful company. He continued the active head of the business for six years then succumbed to the inevitable, his years of excessive effort bringing about a weakened . physical condition unable to resist the attack of disease. He died Novem- ber 29, 1899, not yet having reached his fiftieth year. But the record of those years is one of honor, the brilliancy of his life achievement atoning in a measure for his early demise.
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Charles Comund Longley
Essentially the business man and entirely devoted to his business inter- ests. allowing nothing, not even his own health, to interfere with its vigorous prosecution, Mr. Longley yet took an active interest in the affairs of his city and was keenly alive to his social obligations. After his marriage in 1879 he made Providence his home until 1882, then moved his residence to Paw- tucket, his home ever afterward. He was a member of the Squantum, Pom- ham To-Kalon clubs, a charter member of the Providence Athletic Associa- tion, a trustee of the Pawtucket Congregational Church, a member of the Congregational Club of Rhode Island, the Pawtucket Business Men's Asso- ciation, Massachusetts Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, and Saint Paul's Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, of Boston, thirty-second degree.
He had the public welfare deeply at heart, was most solicitious for the well being of his employees, was most genial and approachable, holding their respect and confidence. He was very popular with patrons of his stores and a favorite in any gathering he graced with his presence. Integ- rity and courtesy may be said to have been prime articles in his faith, cer- tainly no more upright or courteous man ever lived. Generosity and charity marked his life, but so unostentatious was his giving that none knew how freely he drew upon his purse for the relief of others. By every test Mr. Longley proved himself a man and he passed from earthly view with an untarnished name.,
Mr. Longley married, in Providence, in 1879, Henrietta Swinney, born in Savannah, Georgia, daughter of Captain John L. Swinney, of a prominent family of the South, valiant in war, leaders in public life, hospitable, gentle, gracious in the home. Mrs. Longley's great-grandfather, Richard Swinney, was a soldier of the Revolution and a slave and plantation owner ; her father, Captain John L. Swinney, was an officer of cavalry in the Seminole war, serving as captain of the Hancock Troop of Cavalry of Georgia, under Gen- eral Winfield Scott. He married Eliza A. Robinson, of Massachusetts, a granddaughter of Elijah Robinson, a Revolutionary soldier and a descend- ant of Rev. John Robinson, the noted Puritan minister. The coat-of-arms of the Swinney family is as follows: Or, on a fess vert, between three boars passant sable, a lizard passant proper. Crest: Two turtle doves cooing, proper.
Mrs. Longley survives her husband and continues her residence in Paw- tucket, with her four children: Charles Edmund, Jr., Vawter Clifford, Rosa- lind and Ronald Swift. A son, Harold Robinson, died in childhood. Mrs. Longley, a most gracious lady, blending the virtues of North and South, is one of the best business women and on her husband's death succeeded him as the controlling spirit of The J. B. Barnaby Company, retaining the same de- partment managers, and conducting the business along the best modern lines. The family residence, formerly the Dexter homestead, purchased in 1882, has been so added to that it is one of the architectural beauties of the city; Mrs. Longley's summer home, formerly the Phillips homestead. is at Phil- lips Beach, Swampscott, Massachusetts. She is also prominent in club and social life, is past regent of Pawtucket Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, and for a number of years was Rhode Island State director of the order of Children of the American Revolution and is now State regent for Rhode Island of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Swinney
Captain Malm E. Sminutry
Henry Greene Tucker
Henry Greene Tucker
TT MUST always be a satisfaction and a benefit to peruse the life stories of such men as have made it their aim to render more smooth the difficult paths of life, who have, as it were, by their own effort blazed new ways to successful accom- plishment so that those who follow them will find the road less hard and questionable than as though they had not been. Of such men New England has had its full share, and from the very beginning of its existence as a colony has beheld her sons as pio- neers breaking a way, first into the heart of the physical wilderness which beset them round about, then to the promised land of political freedom and independence, and later still, the descendants of these, with unabated enter- prise, showing the way to a new industrial and business era, a development that was destined to one day render it rich as it was independent and give its population a place among the greatest peoples of the world. It is not in any one direction, however, that the service rendered by the late Henry Greene Tucker, of Providence, Rhode Island, to his city and State is to be reckoned, since he took part with equal distinction in many departments of the community's life and was felt as an influence for good in each and all. His death, which occurred on April 25, 1887, was felt as a loss by a very large number of personal friends and associates in all walks of life.
Henry Greene Tucker was descended on both sides of the house from very old and distinguished New England families, the members of which had for many generations taken part in the affairs of their several com- munities. His father was Captain James Tucker, a sea captain well known in that State of famous sailors and navigators, Rhode Island. Henry Greene Tucker was born in the quaint old town, Pawtuxet Village, in March, 1821. Pawtuxet Village stands in the township of Cranston, Rhode Island, and it was here that Mr. Tucker spent the early years of his life engaged in the usual pastimes and occupations of childhood, chief among the latter being the acquirement of an education. Early in his life he showed the ability that he possessed and made an excellent reputation for himself as a student in his school days. Upon leaving school, he made his way to the city of Provi- dence and it is with this place that his subsequent career was associated up to the time of his death. He was possessed of a quite remarkable business talent and it was not long before he began to be recognized as a power in the commercial world. He formed a partnership with a Mr. Swan, of Provi- dence, and they engaged in a coal business under the firm name of Tucker & Swan, and shortly afterwards this firm was one of the best known in the city and their business extremely large. Under the management of Mr. Tucker, who was the head of the concern, the business prospered greatly and at the time of his retirement from active business, years before his death, he had a reputation equalled by few of his fellow-citizens alike for probity and integrity, sound business methods and a most unusual capacity in com- mercial affairs generally.
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Henry Greene Tucker
But it was rather in the realm of politics and public affairs than in busi- ness that Mr. Tucker was well known in the community. He had always been keenly interested in political issues, both local and general, and as soon as he grew of an age to make it possible he became actively engaged in city affairs. He was a man of broadly independent mind, and his association with the Democratic party, which was lifelong, was purely a matter of con- viction and had nothing in it of the common cheap partisanship which unfor- tunately plays so large a part in politics in this country. He joined the local organization of his party when a very young man, but took so active a part he was soon recognized as one of its leaders and as a possible future candi- date for important offices. Later he was elected a member of the Provi- dence City Council, serving in that body for several terms, and subsequently his fellow-citizens sent him to the State Senate to represent his senatorial district. He was still holding this office, the dignity of which is not suffi- ciently recognized to-day, at the time of his death.
Mr. Tucker married (first) Frances A. Fisher, who bore him seven chil- dren, three of whom are now living, namely: Leila, wife of William G. Northup, and resides in Minneapolis, Minnesota; Rhodes Greene, a resident of Reedville, Massachusetts; Zachariah, a resident of Providence, Rhode Island. Mr. Tucker married (second) Joanna H. Sweet, who bore him two children : Joseph S., who died in 1913, and Sarah, wife of Charles D. Cook, of Providence, Rhode Island. On June 29, 1894. Mrs. Tucker became the wife of John Francis Oates, a sketch of whom follows this in the work.
Mr. Tucker was a man of the most sterling qualities and many rare attainments and his life in Providence was a very strong influence for good. He was one of the purest and most upright of men, retiring by instinct yet not afraid to come boldly forth when right or the interest of the community demanded it. Calm and self-possessed, he inspired confidence in all those who came into contact with him, a confidence that he never betrayed or dis- appointed. He was a leading figure in every wise movement for the good of his fellows and his private benevolences were very large and yet so carried out that few ever realized their existence. Indeed, so careful was he to keep in the background in this connection that it is said that oftentimes the very recipient of charity was unacquainted with the identity of his benefactor. His relations with the members of his household were ideal and he made a most devoted husband and father, seeking ever the happiness and good of those loved ones before his own.
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