USA > Rhode Island > Memorial encyclopedia of the state of Rhode Island > Part 44
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James Curran Boran
W. IDELY known in the jewelry trade as a manufacturer of novelties and the inventor of niany tools and devices used by manufacturing jewelers, Mr. Doran was not less esteemed personally by those with whom he came in contact. Al- though born in Massachusetts, he had been in business in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, from 1885 until 1902, and from the latter year until his death was engaged in business in Providence. His father, Francis Doran, was born in Ireland, but when young came to the United States, settling at North Attleboro, Massachu- setts, where he engaged at his trade of jeweler. He married, in North Attleboro, Massachusetts, Catherine Curran, also born in Ireland, coming to the United States when young. They were the parents of four children : Margaret, James Curran, Catherine and Francis.
James Curran Doran was born at North Attleboro, Massachusetts, Sep- tember 8, 1849, and died at the Rhode Island Hospital, where he had been taken after a sudden attack in his office, June 19, 1914. After completing a public school course of education at North Attleboro, he learned the jew- eler's trade, perhaps attracted to that trade from the fact that his father followed it. He followed that pursuit for some years, then adopted an en- tirely different line, learning the trade and establishing a carriage building business at Framingham, Massachusetts, later at North Attleboro. That line he abandoned in 1885, going to Pawtucket, Rhode Island, there starting a plant for the manufacture of jeweler's tools and automatic machines, and introducing several specialties in jewelry manufactured by himself. For a few years he had Horace A. Hall, of Pawtucket, as a partner, the firm of Doran & Hall manufacturing a line of jewelers' findings and novelties.
In 1894 Doran & Hall dissolved, Mr. Doran then established, with his eldest son, James Doran, a factory at 9 Slater avenue. There he made a line of button findings and several patented specialties which yielded a sub- stantial return. In 1897 James C. Doran, his son James, and George W. Payne, united in partnership as the Jewelers' Supply Company, so continu- ing until 1902, when Mr. Payne withdrew.
The same year, in association with his sons, James and Joseph, he or- ganized the firm of Doran & Doran, doing business at 234 Chestnut street, Providence. Their business grew rapidly and the Doran building was erected, much larger than they needed, but so arranged that quarters could be rented to other jewelers. The Doran building was completed and occu- pied in November, 1907, the firm name then being changed to James C. Doran & Sons. Success attended the firm, and a few years later the factory was doubled in size by the erecting of a new building on the north. Later their success in renting shop space to other jewelry manufacturers led to the erection of another large building in the rear of the first one, which was fully occupied soon after its completion.
James lo Doran
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James Cutran Doran
Mr. Doran possessed unusual mechanical skill as was evidenced by his mastery of two totally dissimilar trades, jeweler and carriage builder. His inventive genius was equally great, and a great deal of his success came through his own invention and design. Honorable and upright, he won the confidence of all who dealt with him and bore an enviable reputation in the trade.
Mr. Doran was a member of the Roman Catholic Church of the Holy Name, and of the Holy Name Society of the parish. He was independent in politics, taking little interest in public affairs, devoted to his business and to his family. He admitted his sons to an interest in the business as soon as they arrived at suitable age and two of his daughters were trained as office assistants.
Mr. Doran married, in 1877, Annie F. Donovan, born at South Fram- ingham, Massachusetts, daughter of Michael and Mary (Gallivan) Dono- van, both born in Ireland, but married in Framingham, her father being a railroad employee. Michael and Mary Donovan were the parents of six children: Catherine, Timothy, Daniel, Edward, Emily, and Annie F., widow of James C. Doran. James C. and Annie F. Doran were the parents of seven children: James A., Edith M., Ellen R., Joseph G., Frances A., Catherine M., and Ruth L. James A. Doran, the eldest son of James C. and Annie F. Doran married Annie X. Carroll, and they are the parents of three children : Miriam, Doris and James. Both James A. and Joseph G. Doran are active members of the firm of James C. Doran & Sons.
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Jeremiah Henry Mall
W E HAVE A TERM which has originated in this country to express a particular type of man who, though not pecu- liar to ourselves is probably more common here than anywhere else in the world. The terin is that of "self-made man," which expresses with a certain pungent precision common to popular phrases a type with which we are all familiar. It would be difficult to discover a better example of what is meant by the term than in the person of Jeremiah Henry Hall, one of the most successful manufacturers and merchants of the city of Prov- idence, Rhode Island, whose deathi at Atlantic City on January 11, 1916, was a loss to the entire community. Mr. Hall came of a race that has given us many of our "self-made men," the Irish, and exemplified in his life and career the best sense of the term which rightly implies a great deal more than mere success in business, rather involving the idea of one who has de- veloped himself in every possible direction.
Jeremiah Henry Hall was born in County Tipperary, Ireland, August 15, 1865, and was the youngest of a large family of children born to John and Honora (McGuire) Hall. Very little of even his earliest associations were with his native land, as he was only about four years of age when his parents came to the United States, bringing with them all their children. Jeremiah H. was sent to the fine local schools of Providence and passed through the grammar grades and the high school, successively, graduating from the latter. His general education ended, he turned his attention to fit- ting himself to follow some career, and with this end in view took a course at Schofield's Business College at Providence. He was able to secure a posi- tion as bookkeeper with Babcock & Brigham and there remained several years, adding practical experience to the theoretical knowledge he had gained at the business school. He was advanced during this period by his employers, to whom he rendered himself extremely valuable, but the oppor- tunity for a final business success in their employ did not satisfy the ambi- tious young man and he eventually severed his connection with the firm and entered the Oakdale Manufacturing Company of Providence. His posi- tion here was also that of bookkeeper, but his promotion was much more rapid, and before many years had passed he had saved a sufficient sum to purchase an interest and become a stockholder and was made secretary of the concern. But Mr. Hall's ambition was not to be satisfied with any posi- tion in which the direct management of affairs was not in his hands, at least to a degree, and later he gave up this excellent position in a large concern to engage in business on his own account. In this enterprise he had as a partner William J. Higgins, of Providence, and the two young men success- fully established the New England Manufacturing Company for the manu- facture of butterine and bakers' supplies. Mr. Hall had the dual office of treasurer and general manager and conducted the affairs of the concern
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Jeremiah Denry ball
with so much success that it shortly became one of the most prominent houses in its line in the city. The business prospered greatly and continued to grow up to the time of Mr. Hall's untimely death in 1916, since which time it has entirely ceased. During the years in which he controlled the business, Mr. Hall was one of the most influential figures in the wholesale grocery business in that part of the country and his death, coming unex- pectedly as it did, left a great gap in the trade.
Jeremiah Henry Hall, in spite of the demands of his business upon his time and energies, never neglected, as so many of our modern business men are too prone to do, the other aspects of life, his interests and sympathies being far too broad to make it possible for him to rest content with so nar- rowing a life. On the contrary there were but few departments in the affairs of the community in which he was not active and in many of them he played a leading part. Notably was this the case in politics in which he was very prominent and where he won a truly remarkable popularity. From very early youth he had always been keenly interested in political issues and the conduct of public affairs, and upon reaching an appropriate age he allied himself with the city organization of the Democratic party, the principles and policies of which he subscribed to. But in spite of this alli- ance he won and held the name for great impartiality and disinterestedness so that members of both political parties liked and felt they could trust him implicitly. This was amply proved in several campaigns when Mr. Hall was the Democratic candidate for the Common Council of Providence from the Tenth Ward. He was elected in each case, and in a number of cases was en- dorsed by the Republican organization, a very unusual occurrence. He was first elected for the term of ISO8 and from that time served steadily until the close of 1908, being elected eleven consecutive times. In the year 1909 Mr. Hall removed his residence from Providence proper to Edgewood, where he bought a beautiful home at No. 234 Armington street, which is still the dwelling place of the family. Mr. Hall was a man of strong reli- gious feeling and one in whose life religion played a large part. He was a Catholic in faith, as had been his forebears from the beginning, and was active in church work both in Providence and Edgewood. In the former place he was a constant attendant at mass at the Church of the Blessed Sacrament and after removing to Edgewood became a member of St. Paul's Church there. In social and club circles, too, Mr. Hall was well-known, a man who enjoyed greatly simple, informal intercourse with his fellows, and who joined many of the clubs and societies of the place in which he lived. He was a member of the Catholic Club and the West Side Club of Provi- dence, as he was also of the local lodges of the Knights of Columbus and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
Jeremiah Henry Hall was united in marriage with Ellen C. Geary, of Providence, on June 29, 1897. Mrs. Hall was the daughter of Patrick and Mary (Donovan) Geary, old and highly respected residents of Providence; she survives him.
The popularity enjoyed by Mr. Hall has already been mentioned and it is well worthy of mention. He possessed the quality that is, perhaps more
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Jeremiah Denrp Dall
than any other, prized by men. That is the truly democratic outlook that disregards externals and concerns itself solely with the man himself, which knows little of class distinctions or whether a fellow is rich or poor, but finds its friends among the members of every race and creed, allowing only the two criterions of worth and congeniality to govern him. This popu- larity is well attested by the fact that he was almost universally known as "Jerry" Hall, the greatest compliment that a community can pay a man being to nickname him. It was also attested by the volume of sympathy that poured in upon Mrs. Hall at the time of his death from every section of the city, the mourning which his death would have called forth under any circumstances being rendered still more keen by its unexpectedness and the fact that it came to him in the fullness of his vigorous manhood when the future seemed to promise still higher achievement to come.
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Cornelius Carmocop
C
ORNELIUS CARMOODY was born in Ireland, May 1, 1867, died in Providence, Rhode Island, May 16, 1915, son of Cor- nelius and Mary (Lowry) Carmoody. Cornelius Carmoody, Sr., was foreman in a woolen mill. He and his wife were both born in Ireland, there married, and had children : Mary, Arthur, Thomas, John, Richard, and Cornelius.
Cornelius Carmoody was brought to this country when quite young by his parents, who first settled in Webster, Massachusetts, later moving to Providence. In Providence he attended the public schools and the Jencks Morrey private school on Academy street, obtaining a good education prior to becoming a grocer's clerk. When a young man he opened a grocery in his own name on Chaffee street, later purchasing and operating a store on Manton avenue, until his death, dealing in groceries and meats. He was a man of great energy and industry, a good business man, and as he prospered, gave freely to aid those in need. Both he and his wife were active workers in the various church societies, both being devout Catholics. In politics he was a Democrat.
Mr. Carmoody married, January 12, 1894, Louise M. Murray, born in Providence, daughter of Bryan and Ellen (Harlow) Murray, both her par- ents born in Ireland and there married. Bryan and Ellen Murray had chil- dren : Mary A., Eliza J., Annie T., Ellen J., Margaret C., Bridget F., Kate C., Michael, John B., and Louise M., widow of Cornelius Carmoody. Mrs. Carmoody continues her residence in Providence, her home at No. 279 Man- ton avenue.
John Joseph Slattery
A S A MEMBER of the firm of Tally & Slattery, merchant tailors, Mr. Slattery was well known in Providence as a good tailor, a good citizen and as an honorable, moral and upright man, devoted to his business, his family and his church.
He was born in Cork, Ireland, only child of James and Julia (Lovett) Slattery. He was quite young when his father died and after his mother's second marriage he lived with his grandmother. He was sent to the parish school when young, but his education was obtained largely from self study, as he was always a student and lover of good literature. This habit of study was continued even after his marriage and he was considered a well informed man, his knowledge covering a wide range. After reaching a suitable age he went to London, England, there learned the tailor's trade and worked at it until he was twenty-one years of age. He then came to this country, first locating in New York City where he worked at his trade four years. He then located in Providence where with Philip Tally he formed the firm of Tally & Slat- tery, merchant tailors, building up a large business through close attention to business and hard work, continuing until his death, January 7, 1888. He had many friends, in fact, every customer was his friend and all held him in high esteem. Mr. Slattery was a devout Catholic, a very religious man and one who lived closely by the teachings of his church. He was very fond of his home and there spent all his spare hours. He had a large library, mostly works of an educational character, and these were his dearest friends.
Mr. Slattery married, in 1876, Margaret M. McElroy, born in Ireland, but brought to this country when two years of age by her parents, James and Martha (O'Connell) McElroy, who located in Providence. James McElroy was in the employ of one hardware firm in Providence for thirty years, and from the time of his coming to the United States until his death lived in that city. Mr. and Mrs. McElroy were the parents of eight children, four of whom are still living: Edward J .; Elizabeth, widow of Frank Hye; Martha M., and Margaret M., widow of John Joseph Slattery. Two sons were born to John J. and Margaret M. Slattery: 1. John Hendricken, a graduate of Brown University, class of 1901, Harvard Law School, 1905, now practic- ing law in Providence; he married Cecelia Dowd and has a daughter, Flor- ence Margaret, and a son, John Hendricken (2). 2. Charles Aloysius, edu- cated at Holy Cross College and Brown University, studied law under P. J. McCarthy, and is now employed by the Rhode Island Title Guarantee Com- pany in their legal department ; he married Catherine Fanning and has a son Charles Fanning Slattery.
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John Joseph Slattery
انهيارطيبة
James Ar Nally
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James Ac Rally
J AMES MCNALLY, for fifteen years a member of Providence Common Council, was one of the self-made, self-taught men of his native city who from humble surroundings rose to prominence and won for himself an honored name. He was a capable business man, managed his own affairs well and when called to represent his ward in council devoted him- self to the city interests as efficiently and as conscientiously as he had cared for his own. He was warm-hearted, kindly in disposition, full of life and humor, a good friend, a good citizen, a good husband. . His genial, friendly nature won him many friends and his manly qualities ever retained them. His parents, Charles and Ellen (O'Neil) McNally, were born and married in Ireland, came to the United States, located in Provi- dence, Rhode Island, where their only child, James, was born. Charles Mc- Nally died when his son was a child, his wife surviving him until 1878.
James McNally was born in Providence, Rhode Island, August 2, 1838, died in his native city, honored and respected, February 1I, 1900. He at- tended public schools but his education was largely acquired by reading, of which he was inordinately fond, and by a course of self-study and by experi- ence. On arriving at a suitable age he learned the trade of stucco plasterer and became very expert at his trade. After working several years as a jour- neyman he became a contractor and executed commissions in his line of work from all over the State. He employed a large force of men and was one of the leading men in his line of activity. In politics he was a Democrat and active in party work. He was elected councilman from his ward and for about fifteen years served in that body through succeeding reelections. He was watchful for the city's interests and in council, on committee, and on various commissions performed valuable service. He was a member of the Roman Catholic church, faithful to his duties and very charitable. Mr. McNally married Mary A. McCusker, born in Providence, who survives him.
James Mckenna
JOHN McKENNA, a linen worker, was induced to come to the United States at an early day, the factory later known as the Rhode Island Bleaching Company needed skilled work- ers. He came to this country with his wife and located in Providence, Rhode Island, where his sons, James and Wil- liam, were born. They prospered in their new home, Deacon Snow who had brought them. from Ireland standing their friend and keeping the head of the family employed as a cloth finisher, a branch of work with which he was perfectly familiar, being also expert in the operation of the special machines which had been installed, and which he was brought from Ireland to operate. John and Mary McKenna lived useful, industrious lives and passed away honored and respected.
This branch of the family is the same from which comes Rev. Father Charles McKenna, the famous Dominican priest, organizer of the Holy Name Society, known as the "Silvery tongued Orator," and Judge Joseph McKenna, of California, one of the justices of the Supreme Court of the United States.
James McKenna, son of John and Mary (McGowan) McKenna, was born in Providence, Rhode Island, July 13, 1828, died at his home in the same city, February 24, 1902. He attended primary and grammar public schools, then began working in the cloth factory with his father. He quickly absorbed the rudiments and was advanced from one position to a better one until he became foreman of a department. He possessed a keen inventive genius, and after becoming familiar with all the details and requirements invented a machine which superseded those his father had been brought from Ireland to operate. He invented other machines which he patented, including a snow plow which was adopted by the Providence street rail- roads. When about thirty-one years of age Mr. McKenna caught the "gold fever" and spent three years in Australia. He returned in 1862, and during the remainder of the war he was an inspector of gun bands at the arsenal. He was one of the organizers of the Twelfth Regiment, Rhode Island Vol- unteers, that later did good service at the front. After the war ended Mr. McKenna did not return to the textile mill, but began contracting, first as a building contractor, later doing considerable railroad and bridge work. He built a section of the road bed of the Pawtuxet Valley Railroad, and the Franklin & Bellingham Railroad, built the Reservoir Avenue Bridge in Providence; the Atwell Avenue Bridge in Providence; the Division Street Bridge in Pawtucket, a section of the aqueduct for bringing water to Provi- dence, part of the system of fine road known as the Boulevards in Roger Williams Park, also executing many smaller contracts in Providence and vicinity. He was a man of excellent judgment and sterling integrity, well informed on questions of civic importance and was often sought in council by the city officials.
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James Cecikenna
His home on Ocean street was for several years in the town of Crans- ton, and during that period he served as constable, health officer and high- way commissioner. After that part of the town of Cranston was added to the city of Providence he took no part in public affairs. He was a Democrat in politics and for many years a very active worker. He was an ardent worker for the temperance cause, and a devout member of the Roman Cath- olic church. It was largely through his efforts that St. Michael's Parish, for- merly St. Bernard's, was organized, and as a compliment to him his wife was allowed to choose a name for the parish, St. Bernard's being her choice. He was very charitable, many of his benefactions coming to light after his death.
Mr. McKenna married, in November, 1849. Catherine McGeir, born in Providence, daughter of John and Susan MeGeir, both born in Ireland, and the parents of ten children, all now deceased. There were also born ten chil- dren to James and Catherine (McGeir) McKenna, two of whom now sur- vive, James A. and M. Jennie I. McKenna.
M. Jennie I. McKenna, graduate of Providence High School, Rhode Island State Normal School and Pemberton College, is an accomplished teacher of painting and music, twin arts to which she is devoted, and in which she has won high reputation. Her portrait work has been very. highly commended by connoisseurs and at a recent contest one of her por- traits was awarded the first prize. She is very active in the work of the ladies' societies. She has passed through all the chairs of the Ladies' Auxili- ary of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, and served as county president. She is a member of the Catholic Woman's Club of Providence, the Daugh- ters of Isabella, the Lady Foresters, the Red Cross Nursing Association, of the board of organizers of the ladies' branch of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, and of the Owls. She also belongs to St. Michael's Church, and to its various societies, and is a member of the board of directors of the Rhode Island Hospital. Both James A. McKenna and Miss M. Jennie I. McKenna have taken up the work of their father along charitable lines and they, espe- cially James A. McKenna, spend a great amount of money each year in charitable works. James A. McKenna married Elizabeth Gorman, of Springfield, Massachusetts, they living on Elmwood avenue, Providence. He has been an expert draughtsman and civil engineer for many years, has for the past twenty-nine years been in the employ of the city of Providence. He is also an inventive genius like his father.
Frederick Suffa
'ROM Germany, the land of their birth, came George and Cath- erine (Bader) Suffa, but at their coming both young and unmarried. The current of their lives flowed together in the New World, converging in Providence, Rhode Island, where they were married. George Suffa was an expert cabi- net-maker, but later in life he moved to a farm in the town of Smithfield, where his after life was spent. He had two - sons, Frederick, of further mention, and George A., an oculist of Boston, Massachusetts.
Frederick Suffa was born in Providence, Rhode Island, June 28, 1855, died in the village of Greenville, town of Smithfield, September 13, 1890. He secured his education in the Elm Street Grammar School, but was early obliged to leave school and aid in the family support. About the year 1873 his father moved to the farm in Smithfield to which reference has been made, both his sons occompanying him. After their father's death the sons continued operations on the farm, converting the property into a truck farm, conducted along the best modern lines, with the city of Providence for a market, and they prospered abundantly as market gardeners. They con- ducted operations on a large scale, but so scientifically that there were no failures and the farm was a model of its kind. In 1885 George left the farm to study medicine, later going to Boston, where he is a successful oculist. Frederick Suffa remained on the farm and there continued until his death. He gave his business close attention, was himself one of the most indus- trious of men and made every department of his business a profitable one. While he was most diligent in the conduct of his own affairs he was very zealous in Sunday school and church work and was one of the men instru- mental in erecting the Chapel of the Good Shepherd at Johnston, Rhode Island, of which he was superintendent for several years. He and his fam- ily were members of St. Thomas' Episcopal Church, Greenville, Rhode Island, the head of the family a Democrat in politics. Frederick Suffa was very active in the Sons of Temperance, performing a great amount of valu- able service in aid of the cause of temperance.
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