USA > Rhode Island > Memorial encyclopedia of the state of Rhode Island > Part 41
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
In the death of our brother, Philip C. Sheldon, the state of Rhode Island has lost a faithful officer, the bar of Pawtucket an honored and upright member, and his intimate acquaintances a beloved and respected friend.
The devotion of Mr. Sheldon to the law was of a different type from that of most of the men who follow it. The majority of lawyers are doubt- less interested in the law, but very few are they who will not put it aside for the sake of large opportunities in the business world and still fewer who will not do so if it will lead to political preferment. To many, indeed, it is but a stepping stone to politics, which they take merely because it leads most directly there. It was far otherwise with Mr. Sheldon, who put behind him both these temptations, if indeed they were temptations for him at all. His heart was single in its devotion and he would seem to have cared more to succeed in his chosen calling than for any fortune or honor that the world might offer. In another sense, too, this devotion was of an unusual kind. Mr. Sheldon was as jealous of the fair renown of his mistress as of his own. He would never consent to bend her powers to any purpose but the noblest and even went to the length of examining every case that was brought to him and accepting it only if he was convinced of its essential worth. He was possessed unquestionably of remarkable qualifications for success in the work he had designed for himself and added to a naturally clear and comprehensive mind the habit of taking pains, which we have heard on good authority to be a synonym for genius. His powers of analysis were notable and he carried them to their limit in working out a case in detail. So well known were his methods and his conscientious seruples that his very appear- ance in a case gave to his elient a position of dignity not lost upon the court. In spite of the comparatively few years in which he had practiced, Mr. Shel- don had already become one of the most prominent figures in the bar of his State.
1
William Etter Arnold
T HE Arnold family tree, as arranged by James Carpenter Ar- nold and considered by authorities to be one of the most complete and authentic of genealogical records, shows that William Arnold, founder of the American family was of the eighteenth recorded generation of the family of Arnold. The line is traced to Ynir, King of Gwentland, who flour- ished about the middle of the twelfth century. Ynir was the second son of Cadwaldr, King of the Britons, and down through the genera- tions this ancient Welsh family held the highest honors. Roger Arnold, the first of the family to adopt the surname Arnold, was the great-grand- father of Richard Arnold, Lord of the Manor of Bagbee, whose second son Thomas Arnold, was the father of William Arnold, the American ancestor of William Utter Arnold, of Providence, Rhode Island.
William Arnold, being a son of Thomas Arnold, who was a second son and under the English law not entitled to succeed to the honors and emolu- ments of the estate, left the land of his birth and came to America. Nearly three centuries have elapsed since he came to Massachusetts in 1635, a year later coming to Providence, one of the twelve associates of Roger Williams. From the year of his coming, 1636, until the present, Rhode Island has never been without Arnolds eminent in public life, in the professions and in busi- ness, particularly in the Providence section.
Willianı Arnold, the founder, son of Thomas and Alice (Gully) Arnold, was born at Cheselbourne, Dorsetshire, England, June 24, 1587. He mar- ried Christian Peck, the daughter of Thomastine Peck, and lived in Leam- ington, England, where his children were born. He came to the Massachu- setts Bay Colony with his family in 1635 going to Hingham. Later he joined Roger Williams in Providence, Rhode Island, and became one of the original proprietors of Providence plantations in 1637. He was one of the four of the twelve associates that settled in Pawtucket, town of Warwick, in 1638, and was one of the twelve members of the first Baptist church in America, in 1639. One of William Arnold's sons, the eldest, Benedict, was Roger Williams' successor as president of Rhode Island and under the royal charter became the first governor of the colony. The line of descent from William Arnold, the founder, to William Utter Arnold, of Providence, is through the founder's second son, Stephen Arnold, born December 22, 1613, who became a man of wealth and prominence; his son, Israel Arnold, whose achievement equaled that of his father ; his son, James Arnold, born in 1689; his son, James Arnold, born in 1723; his son, George Arnold, born in 1747, married Ruth Utter ; their son, James U. Arnold, born in 1776, at Narragan- sett, in the town of Warwick, Rhode Island, there became a man of large interests. Later he moved to Providence. He married Mehetable Car- penter and was the father of William Utter Arnold.
William Utter Arnold was born in Providence, in the year 1800, died
-
372
William Gitter Arnold
August 9, 1887. The family owned a large tract of land in the town of War- wick and in that part of the city lying along Westminster street. . He oper- ated a cotton mill owned by his father at Factory Pond, Warwick, and one at Liberty Mill, in West Greenwich. propelled by water power, and later owned and operated a tannery in New York, but the panic of 1857 swept his fortune away. He closed up his tannery business as best he could and returned to Narragansett, becoming for a time bookkeeper for the Harris Mills, at Harris, Rhode Island. Later Mr. Arnold entered the official service of the Washington Life Insurance Company, and was elected president, driving to and from his new home, built on the old land at Narragansett, a distance of six miles, and bringing his son William with him to school. He was a fond admirer of a good horse and enjoyed his ride and not unfre- quently a brush. He was a man of ability, progressive and modern, holding high rank as business man and citizen. Several years prior to his death, he retired from business and finally, at the age of eighty-six, closed his earthly career, honored and respected.
He married Phoebe Ann Low, of Warwick, daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Holden) Low, who died at the age of seventy-six years, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Hetta Carpenter Dorrance, in Providence. Mr. and Mrs. Arnold were the parents of a family of seven children: Samuel L .; John H .; Mehetable, who died young; William J .; Elizabeth; Mehetable (2), and William James Arnold.
William James Arnold, of the eighth American generation of his fam- ily, was born in New York, June 26, 1842, and is now living a retired life at his farm in the town of Warwick. After the return of the family to Narra- gansett, he entered the old Lion Friese College and there completed his ed11- cation. He was a natural mechanic, very skillful with woodworking tools, possessing a real genius for invention. Coming to Providence in 1870, dis- posing of the old Narragansett holdings, for twenty-five years he operated a planing mill on Fountain street, the site a part of the old "Carpenter Farm," and near there on the same farm, he built his residence. He prospered in his business enterprises, continuing actively a part of the industrial life of his city until about 1890, when he retired, purchased a farm in the town of War- wick, and there (1916) yet resides, aged seventy-three. He is a member of the Apponaug Baptist Church.
Mr. Arnold married Miss Abbie Stone, daughter of Daniel and Har- riet (Chase) Stone, both of old and honored Rhode Island families. Mr. and Mrs. William James Arnold are the parents of a daughter, Miss Hettie F. Arnold, who resides at No. 84 Mawney street, Providence.
Allen Repnolos
C NE of the old New England families that throughout the his- tory of that region has won distinction in the persons of its various members is that which bears the name of Reynolds. Its residence in the town of North Kingstown, Rhode Island, has continued from the very earliest Colonial period down to the present; where it is still largely represented.
That branch of the family at present making its home there was well represented during the generation just past by Allen Reynolds, whose death there at the old homestead, on June 24, 1908, was felt as a loss by the entire community.
Allen Reynolds traced his descent back to one William Reynolds, the progenitor of the family in America, who came from England as early as the year 1636 and settled in Providence. There he undoubtedly followed his trade as weaver, which he had learned in the mother country, and there evi- dently prospered, for he purchased considerable property and became a prominent man. This property was eventually sold to one Robert Williams and Mr. Reynolds, thereupon removed to North Kingstown, Rhode Island, which became the permanent home of himself and his descendants. This was the beginning of the long residence of the family in that charming old town, the descent running from William Reynolds, through his son James James (II), Peter, John, Benjamin, to John B. Reynolds, the father of the Mr. Reynolds of this notice. Benjamin Reynolds, the grandfather, married Elizabeth Reynolds, a cousin, whose ancestry was practically identical with his own, and they were the parents of nine children, five boys and four girls, as follows: John B., Mr. Reynolds' father, Isaac, William, George W., James, Nancy, Elizabeth, Hannah and Waity. John B. Reynolds was born in the year 1780, at North Kingstown, where, for practically his entire life, he was engaged in farming, following thus the same avocation as the ma- jority of his forebears. He married Mary Aylesworth, of North Kingstown, a daughter of Arthur and Abigail (Dyer) Aylesworth, of that town. Their children, thirteen in number, were as follows: Hannah, Benjamin, Mary, John, Hazard, Abby, Elizabeth, William W. A., Ann G., Emma, Almira, Sarah L., and Allen, the youngest.
Allen Reynolds was born December 17, 1826, and in common with the other children of that neighborhood, his companions, received his schooling at the little district school, where the advantages were not all that they might have been. In his case, however, additional advantages were to be found in private study. As not infrequently happens, the tastes of the young man led him away from the occupation followed by his father and so many of his ancestors and urged him into other and less familiar fields. He became intensely interested in all kinds of mechanical pursuits and espe- cially in the intricacies of the machinist's trade. He was very anxious to take up some occupation that would involve this kind of work and give an
374
Allen Reynolds
opportunity for the development of the very marked talent that he possessed for it. The most convenient opening that he found, however, was in the mill of the Davis & Sweet Company at Davisville, where he entered the carding department at the age of seventeen years. Here his natural quick- ness soon made him thoroughly proficient in that particular branch of manu- facturing, as well as giving him an insight into business methods generally. In 1847, the year in which he reached his majority, he was employed by the concern known as the A. & W. Sprague Company of Natick, Rhode Island, manufacturers of cotton goods. He remained in this employ for upwards of eighteen months and then, severing his connection with the concern, he spent the following winter in the study of his favorite subject. In the year 1849 he received the offer of a position with Davis, Reynolds & Company in a new mill just erected by them for the manufacture of Washington Jeans. This proved to be the last position held by Mr. Reynolds in the employ of others, for in 1866, three years after the organization of the firm of Davis, Sweet & Company, he was admitted to partnership by them, and for some years he shared in the profitable business done by them. This association lasted until 1873 when the firm was dissolved and Mr. Reynolds, two years later, became a partner of G. W. Reynolds & Company and engaged in the manufacture of woolen goods, mills being operated both at Davisville and Sandy Hill. The operations of this company were successful and this was due in no small degree to the progressive and yet conservative methods of Mr. Reynolds which characterized all his business transactions. In the year 1883, upon the occasion of the retirement of the senior partner, the property and mill at Sandy Hill were sold and the Davisville plant was alone continued, the remaining partners concentrating their efforts upon that single enterprise. The plant was successful and is still in full operation.
It was not in the business realm only that Mr. Reynolds distinguished himself, however. Always deeply interested in political issues and with a purely disinterested motive, he concerned himself with the conduct of local public affairs and soon became an influential figure therein, and was re- garded as a factor to be reckoned with in political circles. A Republican in his views, Mr. Reynolds allied himself with the party of that name and be- came its candidate for many offices, both local and State, and such was his personal popularity and the confidence he inspired in his fellow citizens that he seldom failed to win. He was elected to the State Legislature a number of times and filled the office of Assemblyman in 1878 and 1881, and that of State Senator in 1885, 1886 and 1887. He also held several posts in the town government and in all of them performed for his fellow citizens an invalu- able service, both in the prompt and efficient way in which he transacted their business and the example he gave of disinterestedness and devotion in the public interest. In the matter of his religious belief Mr. Reynolds was a Baptist, being a member of the Quidnessett Church of that denomination, where he served the congregation as clerk and chorister for a number of years.
In April, 1853, Mr. Reynolds was united in marriage with Elizabeth S. Johnson, of North Kingstown, a daughter of Sylvester and Sally (Wells)
375
Allen Reynolds
Johnson, old and highly respected residents of that town. To Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds eight children were born as follows: Curtis C .; Leander ; Marion G .; Lula A., now Mrs. George H. Fowler, of North Kingstown and Paw- tucket, Rhode Island; Emma, now Mrs. Walter B. Knight, of Borahville, Connecticut ; William A .; Annie M., now Mrs. W. B. Babcock, of North Kingstown, Rhode Island; Fannie E., who died in infancy.
William Prince Ape
IN THE career of this well known gentleman of Providence is illustrated the remarkable possibilities of American life. Here the ambitious youth who desires to advance has abun- dant opportunities, and it requires only perseverance, indus- try and upright conduct to bring our citizens success and happiness. Mr. Nye was descended from one of the oldest American families. The progenitor in this country was Benjamin Nye, born May 4, 1620, at Bidlenden, Kent, England. He came to Lynn, Massachusetts, in the ship "Abigail" with Edmund Freeman's company in 1635. His English ancestry has been traced to Randolph Nye, who settled in Sussex, England, in 1527. His son, William Nye, was the father of Thomas Nye, and grandfather of Thomas Nye, father of Benjamin Nye. The last named was a contributor in 1624 to the construction of a mill in Lynn, and a year later he was one of the subscribers for building a meet- ing house, and the same year was supervisor of highways. In 1657 he en- gaged to pay fifteen shilling yearly toward the minister's salary; in 1661 was chosen constable, and filled other positions of usefulness in the com- munity. He seems to have built a mill at the little pond, and for this the town voted him twelve acres of land in 1669, In 1675 he was granted per- mission to build a fulling-mill on Spring river. He married, October 19, 1640, in Sandwich, Massachusetts, Catherine, daughter of Thomas Tupper, who was also a passenger in the "Abigail," and in 1637 settled in Sandwich. John Nye, eldest son of Benjamin and Catherine Nye, took the oath of fidel- ity in 1678, and in the same year served on the grand jury. In association with his younger brother, he purchased one hundred acres of land in Fal- mouth, Massachusetts, and in 1689 they received a grant of two hundred acres additional. He was active in the public service and died in 1722. He married Esther Shed, and their eldest child was Benjamin Nye, born No- vember 24, 1673, in Sandwich. He lived in Falmouth, where he died April 22, 1750. He married, February 23, 1698, Hannah Backus, of Barnstable. Their sixth and youngest son was Benjamin Nye, born March 5, 1717, in Falmouth, where he lived, and died July 22, 1801. He married, December I, 1740, Mary, daughter of Moses and Mary Swift, of Sandwich. Their eldest son, John Nye, born November 1, 1741, in Falmouth, was a soldier of the Revolution, serving as a sergeant in Captain Joseph Palmer's company, and subsequently a lieutenant in Captain Samuel Fish's company. For three years, beginning with 1786, he was selectman of the town. He mar- ried, December 25, 1766, Abigail Gifford, born 1747-48, died April 22, 1788. Their second son was Prince Nye, born November 12, 1775, in Falmouth, married (first) Sarah Pease, who died November 19, 1813. He married (second) in 1816, Fannie Fish. His home was in Falmouth, where he died August 25, 1865. His youngest child was Calvin Bourne Nye, born August 1, 1820, in Falmouth, and lived in New Bedford and Providence, where he
377
William Prince Ape
was a painter. He married, January 14, 1846, Lydia Ann Nash. Their only child is the subject of this sketch.
William Prince Nye was born October 14, 1846, in New Bedford, and was a child when the family moved to Providence. He received a limited education in the public schools, but was all his life a student, and became one of the best informed men of the city. At an early age he entered the office of the Providence Gas Company, and continued in the employ of that institution until the time of his death, when he occupied the position of sec- retary and treasurer. With determination to improve his opportunities, he made himself as useful as possible to his employers, was ever faithful and industrious, and readily won promotion. At the same time he was studying to improve his mind, and he became not only one of the most esteemed em- ployees of the Providence Gas Company, but one of the most popular citi- zens of the city. A thoroughly self-made, self-educated man, he could sym- pathize with the struggles of others, and was ever ready to extend a helping hand or offer kindly suggestions to those who sought to improve them- selves. His acquaintance was wide and his friends were many. He died in Providence, December 31, 1910, and his loss was keenly felt, not only by his employers, but by many circles of the city. Mr. Nye was a man of domestic tastes, and did not seek to mingle in the conduct of local affairs, though he was ever firm in support of his principles, which were those of the Repub- lican party. He found his best enjoyment in the midst of his family, where he was loved and esteemed in great degree. He was married in June, 1875, to Mary H. Sweet, a native of Providence, daughter of Matthew and Sarah (Potter) Sweet, of that city. They were the parents of a large family, of whom only two are now living: Mrs. Nye and Mrs. Ida Hale. Mr. and Mrs. Nye were the parents of two sons: I. Walter C., at present employed in the National Bank of Commerce; married Ruth Brayton, and has a daugh- ter, Dorothy Nye. 2. William S., married Isralie Emerson.
Chomas Cope
HEN a lad of seventeen years Thomas Toye came to the United States, locating in Providence, where he became one of the well-known undertakers and funeral directors of the city. He was a man of industrious life and built up his busi- ness by close attention to every detail. He was the young- est child of John and Anna (Carroll) Toye, both of whom lived and died in Ireland, his father a farmer. The children of John and Anna Toye were: Patrick, John James and Owen, all deceased ; Mrs. Edward McGuire; Mrs. Patrick Carney, a widow; Mrs. Joseph Haw- kins, deceased, and Thomas.
Thomas Toye was born in Ireland, June 22, 1856, died at his home on Broadway, Providence, Rhode Island, May 23, 1909. He attended the par- ish schools and remained in his native land until seventeen years of age then, in 1873, came to the United States, locating in Providence, where he learned the carpenter's trade. He continued a journeyman for some years, then entered into partnership with his brother-in-law, Charles W. Hart, and in 1885 opened an undertaking establishment on Atwell avenue. In 1889 the firm was dissolved, and from that time until his death Mr. Toye conducted the business under his own name.
After the dissolution of the partnership he continued for a time at the old place of business, then moved to No. 447 Broadway, where he was en- gaged until his death. The business he founded in 1885 and of which he was sole owner from 1889 is now conducted by his sons under the firm name, Thomas Toye's Sons. Mr. Toye was a devout Catholic, a member of St. Mary's Parish, Providence. He was a most kindly hearted man and had many warm friends. His home and family were his chief joy in life, and outside of his business, church and home he had few interests.
Mr. Toye married, October 5, 1882, Martha S. Hart, born in Provi- dence, daughter of Thomas Andrew and Anna (Bradley) Hart, her father a cabinetmaker, born in Oxford, England, her mother in Dublin, Ireland, and married in the United States. Thomas A. and Anna Hart were the parents of a son, Charles W. Hart, and two daughters, Mary, wife of James Sullivan, and Martha S., widow of Thomas Toye. Thomas and Martha S. Toye were the parents of three children: John, who died at the age of twen- ty-four years; Charles, his father's successor in business, married Anna S. Creegan; Thomas A., associated with his brother in the undertaking firm of Thomas Toye's Sons. Mr. Toye's funeral was largely attended by his many friends and several representatives of the Rhode Island Undertakers' Association. Solemn high mass was celebrated at St. Mary's Church by Rev. J. A. Craig, assisted by other clergy. He is buried in St. Francis Cemetery.
-
Jesse Metcalf Bush
NE of the representative merchants of Providence, Rhode Island, and a deservedly honored citizen was Jesse Metcalf Bush, whose death on June 16, 1905, was felt by a large pro- portion of the community as a personal loss. He was a member of a family that had lived for many years in the city and was associated closely with its life. He was a son of Edwin A. and Ellen (Metcalf) Bush, old residents of the place, Mr. Bush, Sr., having been a tanner there for a long period. Edwin A. Bush was engaged in this business all his life and after conducting it successfully in Providence, he removed to New York State, where he was the head of a large tannery for some time. Eventually he returned to Provi- dence and there died. He and his wife were the parents of two children, the elder of which was Jesse Metcalf, the subject of this appreciation, and an- other son, Charles S., of Providence.
Jesse Metcalf Bush was born May 30, 1847, at Providence, Rhode Island, and remained in that city until his parents removed to New York State. His first associations of childhood were therefore with his native city, but he was not of an age to go to school until after the family had become residents of the New York town. It was there that he received his education, attending the local schools for this purpose, but returned to Providence and graduated from the Providence High School. Upon com- pleting his education he entered the employ of his uncle, Jesse Metcalf, and worked in the latter's mill, where he learned the business in all its details. He did not remain there more than a few years, however, as his health un- fortunately gave out, and he was obliged to take up an outdoor life in order to regain it. He went out into the country in New York State and for a considerable period made his home on a farm, in which healthful surround- ings his strength gradually came back to him and he became well again. While still on the farm he opened a general store, also post office and tele- graph office, in the neighboring town and was highly successful in this ven- ture during his stay there. Upon regaining his health he returned to Provi- dence and there entered the store of his brother, Charles S. Bush, who was already well established there in business. For a short time he was em- ployed there and then his brother admitted him into partnership and he became vice-president of the firm. The genial nature of Mr. Bush was such that he was everywhere liked and through it he gained many friends for the store and did much to increase and build up the business. There were many departments in the life of the city that Mr. Bush was an active participant in and he was a prominent member of the Free and Accepted Masons of Providence. He was a Congregationalist in religion and an attendant of the church of that denomination in Providence.
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.