USA > Rhode Island > Rhode Island : three centuries of democracy, Vol. III > Part 11
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Colonel Francis was born at Utica, New York, on September 6, 1851, a son of Eben and Mary (Hunnewell) Francis, the father a minister in the Universalist Church, and chaplain of the 127th New York Volunteers during the period of the Civil War. As usual in a minister's family, Colo- nel Francis' boyhood years were passed in a num- ber of different cities, and he attended school at Newark, New Jersey; Iowa City, Iowa; Stam- ford, Connecticut; Huntington, Long Island, New York; and Cambridge, Massachusetts. As a young man he began the active business of life, gradually rising to the position he now occupies as manager of the Industrial Trust Company's branch at Woonsocket. In addition he is trustee and a member of the board of investment of the Woonsocket Institute for Savings here.
Very soon after his first arrival in Woonsocket, Colonel Francis entered public life. He served for twenty years as a member of the Board of Tax Assessors of the city, for three terms repre- sented Woonsocket in the State Senate, was ap- pointed aide-de-camp on the staff of Governor A. H. Littlefield, and occupied that position for three years. In addition Colonel Francis has been twice a member of the committee to revise the laws of the State of Rhode Island, and for forty-one years has been a trustee of Woonsocket Hospital. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Free and Accepted Masons, and in this order is a member of Morning Star Lodge, No. 13, of Woonsocket; of Union Chapter, No. 5, Royal Arch Masons, at Woonsocket; Woonsocket Com- mandery of Knights Templar, No. 24; Palestine Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine of Providence; and a member of
the Grand Consistory of Massachusetts, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite. Colonel Francis is also a member of the following clubs and organiza- tions: The Automobile Legal Association; the Woonsocket Chamber of Commerce; the Worces- ter Art Museum, at Worcester; the Republican Club of Rhode Island; the Young Men's Christian Association, at Woonsocket; the City Club and Cumberland Golf Club, of Woonsocket; the Al- gonquin Club of Boston Massachusetts; and the Squantum Club, of Providence, Rhode Island.
In 1886, at Woonsocket, Rhode Island, E. Charles Francis married Gertrude Nourse, daugh- ter of Charles and Martha (Hayward) Nourse. She passed away October 27, 1926. Mrs. Francis was and Mr. Francis is a member of the Woon- socket Universalist Church. The family residence in Woonsocket is at No. 284 Prospect Street, while Colonel Francis' offices are situated at No. 167 Main Street.
FRANK FENNER DAVIS-For a period of thirty-five years the Hon. Frank Fenner Davis, of Chepachet, Rhode Island, has been active in the public life of his town and State. In thus giving his career to the service of the people and the advancement of the public welfare, he has achieved a notable record of success, and the positive value of his achievements have added much to the progress of the State.
Mr. Davis was born at Glocester, Rhode Is- land, on January I, 1873, a son of Gilbert H. and Abigail Alverson (Briggs) Davis. He is a de- scendant of the ancient and eminent Fenner fam- ily which gave two governors to the State, Arthur Fenner (1797-1806), and James Fenner (1807-1I), (1824-31). In each generation members of this family have been prominent in Rhode Island life. Dexter Davis, the paternal grandfather, was also a man of prominence in Rhode Island affairs, and his wife, Rebecca (Cook) Davis, traced descent from one of that little band who came to Plym- outh on the "Mayflower." The maternal family, Briggs, has long been established in New Eng- land. Gilbert H. Davis, the father of Frank Fenner Davis, was a tinsmith by occupation.
Frank Fenner Davis, of this record, was edu- cated in the public schools of his birthplace, and at the early age of thirteen began to make his own way in the world. He first entered the em- ploy of Walter A. Read, a merchant of Chepachet,
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who also served as general treasurer of the State of Rhode Island from 1898 until his death in 1918. Mr. Davis remained in this position for twelve years, until he reached the age of twenty-five. For two and a half years thereafter he was em- ployed by Oscar H. White as bookkeeper in his woolen mills, and at the end of this time withdrew from business to devote himself entirely to the service of the public. Always interested in gov- ernmental affairs and politics, Mr. Davis was elected to his first public office in 1894, when he was barely twenty-one years of age. At that time he was chosen treasurer of the town of Glocester, and until 1912, with the exception of two years, held the office through successive reelections. In 1895, in addition to this office, he was elected col- lector of taxes, serving in that capacity until 1907. In 1904, was also elected a justice of the peace. From 1901 until 1912, he was town clerk. In 1918 he was elected a member of the school committee of the town of Glocester, and immedi- ately afterwards was chosen its chairman.
Mr. Davis served with distinction as president of the town council from 1920 to 1923, and is at the present time town solicitor of Glocester and also town solicitor of Foster, having been ad- mitted to the Rhode Island bar in 1924. From 1906 until 1914, inclusive, he represented Gloces- ter in the Rhode Island Assembly, and was elected speaker of the House of Representatives in 1913 and 1914. Mr. Davis is a member and secretary of the Board of Tax Commissioners of the State of Rhode Island, having been appointed in 1912, serving continuously since that time, one of the oldest State officers in continuous service.
For many years Mr. Davis has exercised an important influence in the public and party coun- cils of Rhode Island. In the House of Repre- sentatives his service, other than that of Speaker, has been in valued committee work. In 1907 he served on the Committee of Special Legislation; from 1908 to 1912 was a member of the Finance Committee, of which he was chairman from 1910 to 1912; and in the latter year was also a member of the joint committee on accounts and claims. As chairman of the committee on finance which had charge of all measures relating to State ap- propriation and revenue, he filled a very impor- tant position and filled it very well. Prior to his election as speaker of the House, he served two terms as deputy speaker, 1911-12. In 1912, Mr. Davis was appointed a member and became chair- man of the commission that erected and dedicated
the tablet commemorating the Dorr War. In the Legislature he was one of the active workers for the public interest. "He is a skilled parlia- mentarian," to quote the Providence County "Times," "and as presiding officer won high en- comiums from both parties for his unfailing cour- tesy, fairness and just rulings."
He has given his hearty support to all move- ments whether civic or benevolent in the public interest. During the period of the World War, Mr. Davis was a member of the Legal Advisory Board of Glocester in selective service, and chairman of the district comprising the towns of Glocester, Smithfield, Scituate and Foster, in the four Liberty Loan drives of 1917-18.
"This record of continuous and overlapping continuance in important offices from the age of twenty-one is one rarely equalled," writes the Providence County "Times" of April 26, 1929, "and stamps Mr. Davis as a man holding the respect and confidence of his community to an un- usual degree. He is public spirited and progres- sive, bringing to every duty a zest and zeal re- markable, the spirit and strength which impels him being daily renewed in healthy recreations of the out of doors." In 1931 he was made a mem- ber of the commission appointed to draft and report on revision of laws relating to collection of taxes, of which body he is chairman.
Fraternally Mr. Davis is affiliated with the Free and Accepted Masons, and Past Master of Friend- ship Lodge, No. 7, at Chepachet. He is also Past Grand Patron of the Grand Chapter of the Order of Eastern Star of Rhode Island. A member of the Putnam Country Club and of the Glocester Country Club. With other members of his fam- ily he attends the Congregational Church.
On August 1, 1894, at New Bedford, Massachu- setts, Frank Fenner Davis married Mary Chace, daughter of George W. and Mary A. (Harris) Chace. They are the parents of one daughter, Edith Chace, born on July 15, 1896.
GEORGE CLARENCE CLARK-An impor- tant manufacturer and a Masonic leader in the State of Rhode Island for many years, George Clarence Clark, general treasurer of Rhode Is- land, occupies a distinguished place in the life of the Commonwealth. Mr. Clark was born at West Mansfield, Massachusetts, on November 13, 1878, a son of George Adolphus and Mary Elizabeth
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(Pomfret) Clark. His father was a jeweler by occupation, and at one time was sergeant of police at Providence. Both paternal and maternal famn- ilies have long been established in New England.
George Clarence Clark, of this record, received his educational training in Bridgham Grammar School, and Providence Technical High School, from which he was graduated in 1895. He began his active career soon afterwards with F. A. Chase and Company, manufacturers of mill sup- plies at Providence, and later became associated with Edward Parkinson in a similar enterprise. In November, 1907, Mr. Clark took over the business of Edward Parkinson, and since that time has continued its operation under the name of the Edward Parkinson Manufacturing Com- pany, manufacturing mill and weavers supplies, and general mill parts for cotton, woolen and silk mills. As its executive head he has maintained the high standards long associated with the Park- inson Company, and has guided it with every success.
Mr. Clark is a Republican in politics and has exercised an important influence in party councils within the State. It was natural that his services should be sought for public office, and he has con- sidered it no less than his civic duty to answer these calls. From 1915 to 1927 Mr. Clark was representative in the General Assembly from the Twenty-first District, and in the latter year took over the duties of general treasurer of the State, to which office he had been elected on the Repub- lican ticket. His services, both in the Legislature and as General Treasurer have been of genuine value to the State.
Fraternally Mr. Clark is affiliated with the Free and Accepted Masons, being a member of What Cheer Lodge, of which he is a Past Master, and of all higher bodies of both York and Scottish Rites, including Providence Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, of which he is Past High Priest; Provi- dence Council, Royal and Select Masters, in which he has been principal conductor of work; Cavalry Commandery, No. 13, of the Knights Templar; and Rhode Island Consistory of the Scottish Rite. He is also Grand High Priest of the Grand Royal Chapter of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, Senior Warden of the Chapter of Rose Croix, and Potentate of Palestine Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. Mr. Clark is a member, in addition, of the Pomham Club, the Shrine Club, and St. An- drew's Club. With his family he worships in the
Baptist faith, his wife and son being members of Calvary Baptist Church at Providence.
On May 20, 1896, in Providence, George Clar- ence Clark married Prudence M. Parkinson, daughter of Edward and Prudence M. (Dingley) Parkinson. They are the parents of one son, Ed- ward Parkinson. Mr. Clark's offices as General Treasurer are maintained in the State House at Providence, while the family residence is situated at No. 9 Daboll Street in this city.
COLONEL FRANK W. TILLINGHAST- An outstanding citizen of Johnston, Rhode Island, Colonel Frank W. Tillinghast ranks high among the members of the legal profession throughout the United States. He is a member of the firm of Tillinghast, Morrissey & Flynn, attorneys, of Providence, Rhode Island. He is also president of Tillinghast, Stiles & Company, and interested in many industrial and financial enterprises in Rhode Island and New York.
In thus assuming a position of leadership, Col- onel Tillinghast continues the traditions of a fam- ily long honored in Rhode Island. The name is derived from the German word "theilen" (Dutch "deelen"), meaning to separate, divide, pay over, and referring also to a dealing house, or place where auctions were held. The American pro- genitor of the numerous branches of the family now to be found in this country was Pardon Tillinghast, a clergyman born at Seven Cliffs, now Eastbourne, near Beachy Head, County of Sussex, England, in 1622, who came to Provi- dence, Rhode Island, in 1643, occupied himself as a Baptist minister, and died January 29, 1718.
Frank W. Tillinghast was born in Richmond, Rhode Island, May 19, 1859, son of William B. and Julia (Thompson) Tillinghast. He attended the public schools and later was a student in the New Hampton Institute at New Hampton, New Hampshire. After the good old fashion he ob- tained a practical introduction to the study of law by working in the office of the Hon. P. E. Till- inghast, afterward Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Rhode Island. Subsequently the young student continued his pursuit of the law in Boston University Law School, obtaining his degree of Bachelor of Laws in 1883. In July of the same year he was admitted to the bar, and at once be- gan to practice his profession in Westerly, Rhode Island. In 1886 he launched himself in manufac-
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turing in Johnston, Rhode Island, and in 1890 or- ganized Tillinghast, Stiles & Company, Inc., of which he now is president. He is director of the Outlet Company, and interested in numerous industrial enterprises. It was in 1900 that Mr. Lynch associated himself with Colonel Tilling- hast in the practice of the law, and the firm of Tillinghast & Lynch began on its more than a quarter of a century of legal practice. This asso- ciation was dissolved and the present firm of Tillinghast, Morrissey & Flynn was organized.
As a Republican, the Colonel has been active in public life. He was in the Rhode Island Gen- eral Assembly in 1887-88-89. In 1895-96-97, he was colonel of the United Train Artillery, in 1900 was senior aide on the staff of Governor William Gregory, with the rank of colonel, and from 1901 to 1903 was a member of the staff of Gov- ernor Charles Dean Kimball. His clubs are the University, Pomham, Turks Head, and Wanna- moisett, of Providence.
Colonel Tillinghast married Grace G. Peck- ham, daughter of Thomas C. Peckham, of Cov- entry, Rhode Island, and they are the parents of LeRoy Lincoln Tillinghast. One son, Carl K., is deceased.
JUDGE FREDERICK RUECKERT-Law- yer, jurist, and man of affairs, Judge Frederick Rueckert has occupied a distinguished place in Providence life for many years. He was born in this city on November 21, 1855, a son of Christian and Theresa Rueckert, both of Rhode Island. Following graduation from high school in Provi- dence, he entered Brown University, where, in 1877, he took the Bachelor's degree. Three years later, in 1880, he was admitted to the Rhode Island bar.
Judge Rueckert began the practice of his pro- fession immediately afterwards at Providence, and within a short time had risen to a position of considerable prominence. Along with his own legal work he entered the sphere of public serv- ice, and this he has continued through all his later career. Judge Rueckert was elected to the General Assembly of the State in 1891 from Prov- idence, and continued as a member of that body until 1892. From 1894 to 1912 he served suc- cessively as a member of the Providence School Committee and was elected president in 1903 and held that office until 1912, when he resigned. He is a member of the State Board of Education, and
in 1895 was made clerk of the Sixth District Court, holding this office until 1905. In 1905 the merit of his previous work brought him further advancement, and he was elected justice of the Sixth District Court. In this office Judge Rueck- ert remained, rendering services of exceptional efficiency and distinction, until March 16, 1931, when he resigned. At this time he had served longer than any other man in this office in this court.
Among the various legal bodies Justice Rueck- ert is a member of the Rhode Island Bar Asso- ciation and also of the Pomham Club.
On November 22, 1886, at Providence, Rhode Island, Frederick Rueckert married Ella Louise Senft, daughter of Christian and Johanna C. Senft. They maintain their residence in Prov- idence.
JAMES GREENAN CONNOLLY-Lieuten- ant-Governor of the State of Rhode Island and an important figure in its life for a number of years, James Greenan Connolly was born on March 28, 1886, at Riverpoint, Warwick. He attended the public schools of Pawtucket, was graduated from the high school there in 1905, and later entered Brown University, where he took the Bachelor of Arts degree in 1909. Thereafter he attended the Law School of Harvard University, from which he was graduated with the Bachelor of Laws degree in 1912.
Mr. Connolly's career of public service began very early in his active life. As the Republican nominee, he was elected city solicitor of Paw- tucket, Rhode Island, some years ago, and as he rose to increasing prominence in his profession, was appointed a member of the Criminal Laws Advisory Commission. He also served as a member of the Domestic Relations Commission of Rhode Island, and subsequently on the Re- publican ticket was elected Lieutenant-Governor of the State. This office he now holds, dis- charging its duties with complete efficiency and success.
During the period of the World War, Mr. Con- nolly served with the Military Intelligence Divi- sion of the Plant Protection Section, United States Army, remaining in service until after the close of the war. He is affiliated fraternally with Pawtucket Lodge, No. 920, Benevolent and Pro- tective Order of Elks, of which he is Past Exalted Ruler and is Past District Deputy Grand Exalted
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Ruler. He is a member of the Knights of Colum- bus, the Loyal Order of Moose, and the Royal Arcanum.
On November 24, 1919, at Providence, Rhode Island, James Greenan Connolly married Rose M. McCardell. They are the parents of two chil- dren: Rosemary and Roberta C.
WILFRED HAROLD MUNRO-Professor of European history at Brown University for many years, and a well-known author and edu- cator, Wilfred Harold Munro comes of a distin- guished Rhode Island family. He was born at Bristol, in this State, on August 20, 1849, a son of John Bennett and Abby Howland (Batt) Munro. His father was a merchant and banker, and served in the Rhode Island Legislature for a number of years. Of the children in the family, several have risen to national prominence.
Wilfred Harold Munro, of this record, now the oldest man connected with the faculty of Brown University, attended the public schools of his birthplace. He was graduated from Bristol High School in 1864 and from Walnut Hill School, at Geneva, New York, in 1866. He then entered Brown University, where he took the Bachelor of Arts degree in 1870 and the Master of Arts degree in 1873. He was captain of the university "nine" while attending this university. In further preparation for his career he studied abroad, teaching for several years at the universities of Freiburg and Heidelberg, in Germany, during 1890 and 1891, while in 1910, in recognition of his distinguished position among American historians, Hobart College conferred upon him the honorary degree of Doctor of Literature.
Meanwhile, however, Professor Munro's profes- sional activities were well under way. From 1870 to 1871 he was master of DeVeaux College at Niagara Falls, New York, and in the latter year became associate principal of St. Mark's School, at Salt Lake City, Utah. During 1873 he traveled in Central and South America, and, after his return in 1875, became principal of LeRoy Academic Institute at LeRoy, New York, where he remained until 1879. From 1881 to 1889 he was president of DeVeaux College, and in 1891, following the completion of his studies in Europe, he became professor of European history at Brown University. This chair he filled with dis-
tinction for twenty years, resigning because of ill health, and becoming professor emeritus.
During his long residence in Providence, Pro- fessor Munro has been active in various phases of the city's life. For fifteen years he was a member of the Providence School Committee, and during that period was chairman of the committee on high schools. Professor Munro is also a member of the Rhode Island Historical Society, and its president for fifteen years. He was a member of the American Historical Society, the American Antiquarian Society, the Wisconsin Historical Society, the Minnesota Historical Society, the American Geographical Society, of which he is a Fellow, the National Economic League, the American Academy of Political and Social Sci- ence, and other learned societies. He was a mem- ber, in addition, of the British Empire Club of Providence, and its historian; president of Rhode Island Alpha of Phi Beta Kappa Society; a mem- ber and governor of the Rhode Island Society of Colonial Wars; governor of the Rhode Island So- ciety and deputy-governor of the National Society of Mayflower Descendants; a member of the Sons of the American Revolution, the Barnard Club, the A. E. Club and the Churchmen's Club, presi- dent of the last four organizations. Professor Munro is also affiliated with the Delta Phi Fra- ternity, Pi Gamma Mu, and the Ends of Earth Club of New York. He has traveled extensively in nearly all parts of the world, the western states and territories, Central and South America, and Europe. Throughout California and South Amer- ica he traveled on horse and mule back, having crossed the Andes Mountains four times in this manner. He went to the headwaters of San Ber- nardino and traveled on horseback through Mex- ico and also crossed the great Mojave Desert. In 1872 he made a trip to San Francisco on the Pacific Mail Steamship Line and had the misfor- tune to be shipwrecked off the western coast of Mexico. In 1903-04 he made a trip around the world. In 1871-72 he lived, for six months, in the town of Janja, Peru, South America, for the purpose of regaining his health. It was during this time that he crossed the Andes on muleback.
Professor Munro is the author of the following published volumes: "Story of Mount Hope Lands, History of Bristol, Rhode Island," 1880; "Pictur- esque Rhode Island," 1881; "Most Successful American Privateer," 1913; "Legends of Mount Hope," 1915; "Tales of an Old Seaport," 1917;
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and "Among the Mormons in the Days of Brig- ham Young," 1927. He was also editor of a new edition of the works of W. H. Prescott, published in twenty-two volumes, in 1905-06; and of the "Record Book of the Rhode Island Society May- flower Descendants," published in 19II.
At Bristol, Professor Munro was a member and vestryman of St. Michael's Episcopal Church, being the sixth member of his family in direct descent through successive generations to serve as vestryman there. Since 1897 he has also been senior warden of St. Martin's Episcopal Church in Providence. Professor Munro is a member of the University Club of Providence, and the Brown Club of New York.
On December 28, 1875, at St. Michael's Church, Bristol, Rhode Island, Wilfred Harold Munro married Susan Wilkinson Goodwin, daughter of the Rev. Daniel LeBaron and Rebecca (Wilkin- son) Goodwin.
LOUIS WARD DUNN, since 1916 a justice of the Eighth Rhode Island District Court, and also an ex-judge of the Probate Court of John- ston, has gone far in his profession of law and in his work on the bench. He is highly esteemed by members of the Rhode Island bar, as well as by the general citizenry of the State and by a host of friends.
Judge Dunn was born in Philadelphia, Pennsyl- vania, on March 25, 1889, son of John Francis and Mary (O'Donnell) Dunn. His parents lived in Johnston, Rhode Island, where his father is retired from the active endeavors of a busy career. Louis W. Dunn is a member of a family of five children, there being three brothers and a sister. They are: Robert D., of Washington, D. C .; John Francis, of Providence, who has the surname of his father, and who is president of the J. F. Dunn Worsted Company ; Reuben S., of Philadelphia, Pennsylva- nia; and May, who was married to James E. Dooley, of Johnston.
In 1895, when Louis Ward Dunn was but a small child, his family removed from the Quaker City, where he was born, to Rhode Island, taking up their home in Providence and later in Johnston. In the public schools of both Johnston and Provi- dence, therefore, he received his early education; and, upon leaving high school, he entered Val- paraiso University, at Valparaiso, Indiana, com- pleting his courses in the law department and re-
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