USA > Rhode Island > Rhode Island : three centuries of democracy, Vol. III > Part 10
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favorable notice from the clergy, the laity, and from the leading magazines. He is also devoted to the study of astronomy and owns a very fine telescope fitted with all the most modern attach- ments and adjustments, some of which were made in accordance with his suggestions. Because of the distinction attained by his literary work, St. Mary's Seminary, of Baltimore, from which he was graduated in 1889, conferred upon Father Sul- livan the degree of Doctor of Divinity in 1925. On April 27, 1929, Pope Pius X elevated him to the dignity of Domestic Prelate, with the title of Monsignor.
Father Sullivan has the sincere respect and the entire confidence of his parishioners and stands very high in the esteem of the dignitaries of the Catholic Church throughout the country. His devoted Christian character, his brilliant mind, his understanding and sympathetic heart have enabled him to render a great and worthy service, and all who know him hope that many more years of service lie before him.
Monsignor Sullivan's death occurred July 19, 1930, after this record had been submitted to him.
WILLIAM HERBERT PERRY FAUNCE, D. D., LL. D .- President of Brown University for a period of thirty years, Dr. William Herbert Perry Faunce was one of the most distinguished of American educators and a figure of genuine prominence in the nation's life. As a minister he was one of the most liberal and able in the Baptist faith. As an educator and administrator he guided Brown in its development from a provincial New England college to a leading university of the country. His writings and public utterances won him a reputation for fearlessness and demon- strated his enlightened devotion to the finest prin- ciples of thought and conduct, as well as his con- stant support of organized civic and social prog- ress throughout the world.
Dr. Faunce was born at Worcester, Massachu- setts, on January 15, 1859, a son of the Rev. Dan- iel Worcester and Mary Parkhurst (Perry) Faunce. He came of a long line of old New England churchmen, and members of this family were among the earliest settlers of Plymouth, Massachusetts. Elder Thomas Faunce was ruling elder of the First Church of Plymouth for forty years, and it was he who extended an invitation to Roger Williams to come to Plymouth when the
founder of the Baptist faith was banished from Salem. The Rev. Daniel Worcester Faunce, father of William Herbert Perry Faunce, was born at Plymouth in 1829, and in the course of years was ordained to the Baptist ministry. He held many prominent pastorates in New England and Washington, as well as executive office in his church, and was an author of considerable repu- tation. His first wife, Mary Parkhurst Perry, who died in 1888, was a member of the family to which Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry belonged. Dr. Faunce married (second), in 1891, Mrs. Mary F. Tucker.
William Herbert Perry Faunce, of this record, was educated in the public schools of Concord, New Hampshire, and Lynn, Massachusetts. Thereafter, in 1876, he entered Brown University and was graduated four years later with the de- gree of Bachelor of Arts. He stood with the first members of his class scholastically, and was elected to the society of Phi Beta Kappa in his junior year. Other degrees and honors conferred upon Dr. Faunce in later life include the Master of Arts and honorary Doctor of Divinity degrees from Brown in 1895; the honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Yale in 1901 and Harvard in 1902; the honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Baylor University in 1905, and subsequently from Alabama, Dartmouth, Wesleyan, Denison, Am- herst, and McMaster. In 1920 he received the bronze medal of the University of Paris, and in July, 1929, the Order of Commendatore of the Crown of Italy was conferred upon him by King Victor Emmanuel, in recognition of his interest in the promotion of Italian culture at Brown.
Meanwhile, however, Dr. Faunce's career was well under way. After his graduation from Brown he began preparations for the ministry at Newton Theological Seminary. From 1881 to 1882 he taught mathematics at Brown, taking the place of a professor who was absent in Europe, and then returned to his theological studies, being graduated from the seminary in 1884. Six months before, he had been called to the pastorate of the State Street Baptist Church at Springfield, Massachu- setts, where his duties were now to center for a period of six years. Dr. Faunce remained at Springfield until 1889, refusing many calls to other churches. In that year, however, he ac- cepted the pulpit of the Fifth Avenue Baptist Church in New York, offered him by its parish- ioners. For a young minister-he was only thirty-this was a tremendous honor. The Fifth
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Avenue Baptist congregation was among the wealthiest and most influential in the United States. In addition to the usual church work, it carried on a vast amount of other parochial activ- ity and was extremely energetic in both the home and foreign mission fields. The parish expended about $100,000 annually in benevolences alone.
This church offered Dr. Faunce the fullest op- portunities for distinguished service and he made the most of them. Always a remarkable speaker, his public utterances were widely circulated and attracted much attention. His leadership became a decisive factor in the work of the Baptist de- nomination, and it was natural that he should be frequently spoken of as a future president of Brown. In 1896 he became a trustee of the uni- versity, and on June 21, 1899, was unanimously elected president to succeed E. Benjamin Andrews who resigned. Meanwhile he had been a lecturer in the divinity school of the University of Chicago in 1897, and a member of the board of resident preachers of Harvard University in 1898-99. Twice during his pastorate at the Fifth Avenue Baptist Church he was granted extended leave to visit Europe, and took advantage of these oppor- tunities to study methods of university education in Germany.
Dr. Faunce assumed his duties at Brown with the complete confidence of its trustees and the leaders of the Baptist faith. This confidence was completely justified by the high character of his administration, and under his guidance Brown soon became one of the leading universities of the East. He initiated many progressive policies. He revised and modernized the curriculum, and directed the material growth of the institution. Largely through his efforts an endowment fund of two million dollars was raised. Six new buildings were erected, the famous John Carter Brown Library of Americana was acquired; new laboratories and seminaries were established, and a thoroughly modern equipment provided for the university. The appearance of the campus was greatly improved, and during Dr. Faunce's thirty years in office the student body was increased al- most three fold by matriculation from the South and West. This remarkable development was paralleled by hardly any other American univer- sity during these years, and reflected, of course, the greatest credit upon Dr. Faunce's leadership. He became a preeminent figure among American educators and his influence was extended to many fields.
To quote from an editorial tribute at his death:
His career at Brown had two great concomitant divisions, one within the walls of the university and the other outside them. Both in a sense were labors for the university and both brought it dis- tinction at home and abroad. Within the walls of the university he carried on the work envisioned by Robinson and founded by Andrews-that of transforming what had been an urban college into a true university, without neglecting its undergraduates. .
But all the statistics (of growth) must be inter- preted in the light thrown upon them by the char- acter of Dr. Faunce, his liberality of spirit, his humanism, his unconquerable faith in progress. These qualities inspired all that he did for the university, and so "clothed upon" by the externals of the newer Brown, represent what Brown stands for to itself and to the outside world. There were three great occasions in the college year during the presidency of Dr. Faunce, the opening day of each semester, graduation and the baccalaureate sermon. His utterances on these occasions con- stituted his message to the students of Brown, and a noble legacy they now form, embodying and enforcing as they do the qualities that he im- pressed upon the character of the university or that, finding there, he confirmed.
No college president was listened to with closer attention by the American public. Though hav- ing no disposition to put himself forward as a champion even of the causes nearest to his heart, he at times found himself so recognized and bore himself bravely and triumphantly. More than to anyone else is due to him the respect for modern- ism within the ranks of the Baptists. Almost at the very end of his days he took another stand characteristic both of his liberalism and of his courage in calling for a reconsideration of our national prohibition laws.
He was an internationalist as well as a patriot. He sought peace, but through the agencies fun- damental to peace, mutual understanding and good will among nations.
Providence knew him and loved him as a great citizen. No civic interest was too small to gain his active support, none too large for him to pour out his strength to advance it.
As we reflect upon the closing of so distin- guished a career the words of Shakespeare rise to memory as its fittest characterization:
"His life was gentle; and the elements So mix'd in him, that Nature might stand up And say to all the world, 'This was a man!'"
Dr. Faunce's twenty-fifth aniversary as presi- cent of Brown was celebrated in May, 1924, and five years later, in 1929, he retired, after thirty full years of service. He was president emeritus of the university until his death. Dr. Faunce was a trustee of Newton Theological Institute, Worces- ter Academy and the Rhode Island School of Design. He was a contributor to various relig-
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ious and educational periodicals and the author of the following published volumes: "The Educa- tional Ideal in the Ministry," 1908; "What Does Christianity Mean"? 1912; "Religion and War," 1918; "The New Horizon of State and Church," 1918; and "Facing Life," 1928. Dr. Faunce was always active in the promotion of international peace and good will, supporting the League of Nations and World Court movements, and serv- ing in his latter years as president of the World Peace Foundation. He was affiliated with the Delta Upsilon Fraternity.
On June 18, 1884, Dr. William Herbert Perry Faunce married Sarah Rogers Edson, daughter of Nathan W. and Ellen Edson of Lynn, Massachu- setts. They became the parents of one son, Perry Edson, who died shortly after his graduation from Brown. At the commencement of 1924 Dr. and Mrs. Faunce gave to the university a sum to establish a scholarship in his memory.
Dr. Faunce died at his Providence home on January 31, 1930, in his seventy-first year. His death was the entire nation's loss, and his passing called forth tributes from the leaders in American life and education. Dr. Faunce built for the years of the future and the value of his work will remain.
FRANCIS NEIL FULLERTON-A resident of Newport since his early youth, Mr. Fullerton became connected with the city government al- most three decades ago. Since 1907 he has served continuously as city clerk of Newport, the length of his service indicating how ably and efficiently he has filled this responsible position and to how great an extent he enjoys the liking and confidence of his fellow-townsmen. Mr. Ful- lerton undoubtedly is one of the most popular public officials in Newport, and this popularity also extends to the several fraternal and other organizations in which he maintains membership.
Francis Neil Fullerton was born at Hartsport, Nova Scotia, Canada, October 26, 1878, a son of the late Richard Harding and Agnes (Gabriel) Fullerton, both natives of Nova Scotia. His father was a sea captain and followed the sea until his death. Mr. Fullerton received his education in the public schools of Boston, Massachusetts, and of Newport, graduating from the Newport High School. After leaving school he served for two years as a clerk in the office of William P. Shef-
field, a prominent Newport lawyer. In 1902 he was appointed deputy city clerk of the city of Newport, and five years later, in 1907, he was elected city clerk, in which position he has been continued ever since then. For six years he was at one time a member of the Newport Artillery Company and in 1898, during the Spanish-Amer- ican War, he volunteered with the Ist Regiment, Rhode Island Volunteers, serving for thirteen months with the rank of corporal. He is a mem- ber of St. John's Lodge, No. I, Free and Accepted Masons; Newport Chapter, No. 2, Royal Arch Masons; DeBois Council, No. 5, Royal and Select Masters; Washington Lodge, No. 104, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; Weenschassett Tribe, No. 6, Improved Order of Red Men; and the Royal Arcanum. He is also a member of the Rhode Island Town and City Clerks Association, the New England Town and City Clerks Asso- ciation, and Camp Thomas, Veterans of the Spanish War. In politics he is a supporter of the Republican party, while his religious affiliations are with the Baptist Church. He is fond of out- door life and outdoor sports and especially inter- ested in baseball and football.
Mr. Fullerton married, in 1905, Margaret Tan- ner, a native of Newport. Mr. and Mrs. Fuller, who make their home in Newport, are the parents of three children: Frances Sanford, Ruth Gabriel, and Richard Harding Fullerton.
NORMAN STANLEY CASE-Chief execu- tive of the State of Rhode Island, Governor Norman Stanley Case, now (1931) serving his third term, has been a familiar figure in its pub- lic life for the past ten years. He was born at Providence, on October II, 1888, a son of John Warren and Louise Marea (White) Case, the father a gold and silver refiner by occupation, and a member of the school committee at Provi- dence for several terms. He was a man of con- siderable local prominence.
Norman Stanley Case attended the Providence public schools. He was graduated from Federal Street Grammar School in 1900, from Classical High School in 1904, and then entered Brown University, where he took the Bachelor of Arts degree in 1908. Meanwhile he had determined upon a legal career, and enrolled at Harvard Law School, where he remained from 1909 to 1911. In the following year he received the Bachelor of
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Laws degree from Boston University Law School. In 1930, in recognition of his distin- guished career, Manhattan College conferred upon him the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws, and in 1931 Rhode Island State College also honored him.
Governor Case was admitted to the Rhode Is- land bar in 1911, and the Massachusetts bar in 1912. In 1923 he was admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court. Since 1913, with the exception of the time which he spent in the United States Army, he has followed his pro- fession in Rhode Island. In the practice of law he has met consistent success, rising to a position of prominence at the Rhode Island bar through the merit of his services. Governor Case is now associated with the firm of Greenough, Lyman and Cross, with offices in Providence at No. 1130 Hospital Trust Building.
Governor Case's career in public life began almost as early as his practice of law. From 1914 to 1918 he was a member of the Providence City Council, and in the course of these years came prominently before the public by his con- stant devotion to the city's best interests. At the beginning of the Mexican Border episode, how- ever, he enlisted for army service as first lieuten- ant of Troop A, First Separate Squadron, Rhode Island Cavalry. He remained with these troops on the border from June to November, 1916. In the following year, after the entrance of the United States into the World War, he again re- turned to the army, serving from July 25, 1917, to July 19, 1919. Of this period he was overseas with the American Expeditionary Forces from October 2, 1917, to July, 1919, at first as captain of Company A, 103d Machine Gun Battalion, of the 26th, or Yankee Division, and later as acting general staff officer.
Returning to the pursuits of peace after the Armistice, Governor Case resumed the practice of his profession at Providence. From 1920 to 1922 he was a member of the Soldiers Bonus Board and in 1921 was appointed United States District Attorney for the district of Rhode Island. This office he filled with distinguished success until 1926. In the elections of that year he was chosen Lieutenant-Governor of Rhode Island on the Republican ticket, and on February 4, 1928, upon the death of Governor Pothier, succeeded to the governorship. Subsequently, as the standard bearer of his party, he was elected for the full term and to which position he was reelected in
1930. Governor Case brought to this office the fullest qualifications, and has discharged its vari- ous duties with the same fidelity and fine ability which he demonstrated in his earlier career. His administration has been notably progressive and successful.
Fraternally Governor Case is affiliated with the Free and Accepted Masons, being a member and Past Master of Corinthian Lodge, No. 27, and a member of higher bodies of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, including the thirty- second degree of the Consistory. He is also affiliated with Providence Lodge, No. 14, of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, with the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Delta Upsilon Fraternity, and others. He is a Chevalier de L'Etoile Noire, an honor conferred upon him by the President of France in 1918. Governor Case is a member of the Squantum and Pomham clubs, and of the Uni- versity Club of Providence. He worships with his family in the Baptist faith, being a member of the First Baptist Church of Providence.
On June 28, 1916, at Providence, Norman Stan- ley Case married Emma Louis Arnold, of Bethel, Vermont, a daughter of Fred and Martha Phil- lips (White) Arnold. They are the parents of the following children: I. Norman Stanley, Jr., born July 8, 1917. 2. John Warren, II, born April 8, 1921. 3. Elizabeth Richmond, born April 28, 1924.
J. HECTOR PAQUIN-A lifelong resident of Woonsocket, and its mayor from 1926 to 1930, J. Hector Paquin has been an important and fa- miliar figure in city affairs for many years. His career includes such varied activities as news- paper reporter and editor, banking official and city clerk, and also from 1926 to 1930, in addition to his civic duties, he retained his position as man- ager of a broker's office.
Mr. Paquin was born in Woonsocket, on April 14, 1890, and received his cducation in local schools. While still a boy he decided upon a newspaper career and, for one year, during 1907 and 1908, was reporter on the old Woon- socket "Reporter." Thereafter he became asso- ciated with the Woonsocket "Call," winning gradual advancement to the city editor's desk, which he successfully occupied until December 29, 1915. At that time he was elected deputy
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city clerk, and was later chosen for the city clerk's office, serving continuously in that position until August 1, 1925, when he resigned to become manager of the Woonsocket branch of the Union Trust Company. His services in this connection proved of decisive value in the success of the corporation, and he became widely known as one of the most able and progressive executives of the city. On January I, 1929, he became associ- ated with a large brokerage concern and continued with them until they discontinued their business.
In politics Mr. Paquin is a Republican, and as the standard bearer of his party, was elected to public office in 1926, being called to the highest post of the muncipal government by the suffrages of his fellow-citizens. He was first elected mayor of the city in November, 1926, and reelected in November, 1928, for a further term of two years, serving until 1930. Mr. Paquin has always con- sidered service in the public interest no less worthy of his best attention than his own affairs, and during his term as mayor addressed himself to the duties of his office with efficiency and dis- patch. The progressive and highly successful character of his administration is well known and needs no further comment here. Since March I, 1931, Mr. Paquin has been engaged in the insur- ance business. He is affiliated fraternally with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Knights of Columbus, the Loyal Order of Moose, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, and the Society of St. Jean Baptiste, while he also holds membership in the Lions Club, the Kiwanis Club, and the Woonsocket Country Club. He is a member of the Woonsocket Chamber of Commerce, and of several other local associations of varied nature.
J. Hector Paquin married Violet L'Esperance of this city, and they are now the parents of two children: I. Jean, died in October, 1930. 2. Jacquelin. With his family Mr. Paquin worships in the Roman Catholic faith, attending St. Ann's Church of this denomination in Woonsocket, and contributing liberally to the support of all its work.
WILLIAM E. La FOND-Secretary and treas- urer of the Woonsocket Trust Company since its organization, William E. La Fond has given his entire life to banking and finance, and in this field has risen to high position in Rhode Island.
Mr. La Fond was born in Manitoba, Canada, in November, 1890, a son of Ernest P. and Maria
T. (McCarthy) La Fond. His father was a farmer for many years, and both parents are now living retired in North Smithfield, Rhode Island.
When he was still a child, William E. La Fond came with his parents to Woonsocket and in the public schools of this city he received his pre- liminary education. Following graduation from high school, he undertook a course of study in a commercial school, after which he began his business career. He was early attracted to finan- cial work, and has devoted himself consistently to this field from the outset. At first he was em- ployed in minor positions, but he spared no effort to master every detail of banking operations, and gradually rose to places of confidence and trust. Mr. La Fond started work with the National Union Bank the early part of 1911 as their mes- senger and in April, 1915, joined the Woonsocket Trust Company. On October 5, 1923, he was appointed assistant secretary and assistant treas- urer and, after the death, on October 29, 1924, of Walter B. Greene, secretary and treasurer, Mr. La Fond was named to fill the vacancy, a position he has contniued to fill with distinguished success until the present time. He is also a direc- tor of The Woonsocket Trust Company, the Woonsocket Chamber of Commerce, and is treas- urer of the Woonsocket Taxpayers Association.
When the United States entered the World War Mr. La Fond immediately enlisted in the United States Naval Reserve forces and served from November 27, 1917, for twenty months as a gunner in the armed guard forces of the Trans- port Service. He received his discharge in 1919 and immediately returned to his banking duties. At Woonsocket Mr. La Fond has been active in various phases of the community life, and in spite of the demands of his profession upon him has never neglected his civic duty or lost interest in civic advance and progress. In politics he is an independent voter, preferring to decide for him- self the qualifications of a candidate for office or the merits of a proposal submitted to the elector- ate, rather than blindly follow party dictates, but his support for all worthy causes is constantly assured. In the early part of 1931 he was made a member of the sinking fund commission of the city of Woonsocket. Mr. La Fond is affiliated fraternally with the Knights of Columbus, in which he has taken the Fourth Degree, and with the local post of the American Legion, while he is also a member of the American Institute of Banking. With his family he worships in the faith of the Roman Catholic Church.
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William E. La Fond married Philomene Sutton, who was born at Woonsocket, a daughter of John and Mary (Girouard) Sutton, of this city. Mr. and Mrs. La Fond have one daughter, Mary Lucille. They maintain their residence in Woon- socket, at No. 489 South Main Street, while Mr. La Fond's offices are situated at No. 106 Main Street.
E. CHARLES FRANCIS-Chairman of the board of managers of the Industrial Trust Com- pany at Woonsocket, Rhode Island, E. Charles Francis has occupied a distinguished place in this city's affairs for many years. Aside from his per- sonal interests, he has given his services freely in public life.
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