USA > Rhode Island > Rhode Island : three centuries of democracy, Vol. III > Part 2
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In 1893, Colonel Gross married (first) Mary Florence Wightman, of Providence. She died, leaving a daughter, Helen Judson Gross, who is now the wife of Thomas Harris. In 1907, Colonel Gross married (second) Mary Louise Colt, daugh- ter of LeBaron B. Colt (q. v.), jurist and United States Senator from Rhode Island, and of Mary Louise (Ledyard) Colt, his wife.
Colonel Gross died on April 3, 1927. His death was a source of deep regret to his associates and acquaintances everywhere, and a ยท severe loss to the State which he served so well. Men of his fine character and accomplishments are rare in any age, and they can ill be spared.
HECTOR A. GILMAN-A man of thorough business training and varied experience, Hector A. Gilman is now manager of the West Warwick branch of the Union Trust Company at West Warwick, Rhode Island. During the period of this connection he has amply demonstrated the value of his services to the company, and is now well known in the business and financial life of this section.
Mr. Gilman was born in Phenix, Rhode Island, on October 31, 1900, a son of Louis and Josephine (Plante) Gilman, both natives of Canada. The father, who is now living retired, was long en- gaged in the tea and coffee business.
Hector A. Gilman received his preliminary edu- cation in the public schools of Harris, Rhode Is- land, and at West Warwick High School. Later
he entered the Bryant and Stratton Business Col- lege, and was graduated from that institution in 1921 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. After completing his education, Mr. Gilman accepted a position as teacher in the college for two and a half years, and at the end of this time, became associated with the Gorham Manufacturing Com- pany as cost accountant, a position which he held for about four months. In 1928 he began his asso- ciation with the Union Trust Company as assist- ant manager of their West Warwick branch, and only a short time later was promoted to manager. Mr. Gilman has continued as manager since that time. He has guided the affairs of his branch with every success, establishing sound and pro- gressive policies, and extending the scope of its business.
In other fields of activity, Mr. Gilman has also been prominent. In 1926 he was elected a mem- ber of the School Board of the town of Coven- try and in 1929 was chosen chairman of the board, serving in that capacity since. In politics he is an independent voter, and has given his best atten- tion to civic affairs. He is affiliated fraternally with J. P. Gibson Council of the Knights of Columbus, and the Catholic Order of Foresters, while he also holds membership in several clubs, and other local organizations, including the West Warwick Lions Club, of which he is treasurer, the St. John's Society, the West Warwick Board of Trade, and the Pawtuxet Valley Board of Trade. Mr. Gilman worships in the Roman Catholic faith, attending Notre Dame Church of this denomina- tion of West Warwick. Golf, fishing, and hunt- ing are his favorite recreations.
THOMAS A. LACROSS-Having begun work in one of the largest mills in Rhode Island as a boy, immediately following the completion of his education, Mr. Lacross, in the years following, acquired a very thorough training and wide ex- perience by being connected with a number of other mills in Rhode Island and elsewhere. Even- tually he established, together with an associate, a mill of his own, of which he is now the sole owner. Its steady growth and prosperity is largely attributable to Mr. Lacross' exceptional business and executive ability and to his industry and energy. His establishment being one of the im- portant manufacturing concerns of East Green- wich, Mr. Lacross naturally occupies a position of prominence in the business world, and during his
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residence in this town he has also gained for him- self the liking and respect of his fellow-towns- men.
Thomas A. Lacross was born at Scituate, De- cember 30, 1882, a son of the late Joseph W. and Ida Frances (Hopkins) Lacross. His father, who was engaged in the cotton business until his death, was a native of Burlington, Vermont, while his mother was a native of Scituate, Rhode Island. Mr. Lacross was educated in the public schools of Fiskeville, which, however, he left at an early age. At that time he entered the employ of the B. B. & R. Knight Company at Fiskeville Mill, with which firm he was engaged for five years. Next he was successively connected with the Jack- son Mill for one year ; with the braid mill of Joslin & Orr, at Moosup, Connecticut, for one year ; with the Morano Mill, Providence, for three and one half years; with the American Tubing & Webbing Company, of Providence, for six months ; with the Thompson Manufacturing Company, of Quebec, Canada, for a short time; and with the Earl A. Potter Company, of Cranston, for two years. In 1905 he became associated with Walter M. Hill and, together with him, formed the firm of Hill & Lacross, manufacturers of elastic braids. The business was established at Cranston, where it continued to be conducted until 1926. In that year it was removed to East Greenwich, where it has been located since then and where it has continued to enjoy prosperity. Mr. Hill withdrew from active business in 1921 and since that year Mr. Lacross has been sole proprietor. A member of the East Greenwich Chamber of Commerce, and of Provi- dence Lodge, No. 14, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Mr. Lacross also takes an active part in religious affairs, his affiliation being with the Episcopal Church of the Ascension. In politics he is a supporter of the Republican party. His principal form of recreation is yachting.
Mr. Lacross married, in 1900, Celia C. Parker- son, a native of Rehoboth, Massachusetts. Mr. and Mrs. Lacross are the parents of seven children: Frederick F., Walter T., Celia Ida Frances, Elsie I., Mildred, Caroline, and Thomas A. Lacross, Jr.
JOSEPH V. SMITH-A native of Canada, but since his early childhood a resident of Rhode Island, Mr. Smith has been engaged in the retail drug business at Arctic under his own name for almost two decades. He is one of the leading busi- ness men of this town and is also actively identi-
fied with several other business enterprises, both in Arctic and in Providence. He enjoys a high professional standing, as indicated by his active participation in the work of several pharmaceutical organizations, is a member of several fraternal and social lodges and clubs, and is regarded as one of the substantial and public-spirited citizens of Arctic.
Joseph V. Smith was born at St. David, Prov- ince of Quebec, Canada, March 26, 1883, a son of the late William and Aglae (Plante) Smith. His father, also born at St. David, was engaged in farming until his death. His mother, who is de- ceased, was a native of Sorrell, Province of Que- bec, Canada. Mr. Smith received his early educa- tion in the public schools of Coventry, Rhode Island, attended the LaSalle Academy, and eventu- ally took up the study of pharmacy at the Rhode Island College of Pharmacy, graduating with the degree of Graduate in Pharmacy in 1906. In order to gain practical experience he worked for a num- ber of years with druggists in Arctic, being con- nected with A. R. Vanesse for two years and with C. E. Chagnon for five years. In 1911 he estab- lished a drug business of his own in Arctic. The J. V. Smith Drug Company, of which he is sole proprietor, is the largest drug store in Kent County. Mr. Smith is a member of the National Association of Retail Druggists, and of the Rhode Island Pharmaceutical Association, being promi- nently active as a member of the latter's execu- tive committee. He is vice-president of the South- ern New England Rexall Club, and a member of the Pawtuxet Valley Board of Trade. Other or- ganizations, in which Mr. Smith maintains mem- bership, include the following : J. P. Gibson Coun- cil, Knights of Columbus; Catholic Order of For- esters; and the West Warwick Country Club and West Warwick Lions Club, of both of which he is a governor. Though Mr. Smith's energy and time have always been chiefly devoted to his business, he has been interested for a number of years in several other enterprises. He is president of the Couto, Kernan & Smith Realty Corporation, West Warwick; secretary of the Teller Optical Com- pany; and a director of the Providence Wholesale Drug Company. In politics he is an independent, and his religious affiliation is with St. John the Baptist's Roman Catholic Church. He finds his recreation chiefly in golf.
Mr. Smith married, in 1909, Ernestine M. Tellier, a native of St. Gabriel, Province of Quebec, Can- ada. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are the parents of four children: Floriane M., Robert M., Rodrigue M. and Myra M.
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RHODE ISLAND -- THREE CENTURIES OF DEMOCRACY
JOSEPH PRATT-Though still relatively young, Joseph Pratt, city clerk of Woonsocket, Rhode Island, has demonstrated an independence of spirit and native ability which qualifies him among the important men of affairs in this city. Mr. Pratt has been connected with many enter- prises in his business career, all of them success- fully, and his services to the city in his present office have been of genuine value.
Born at Webster, Massachusetts, on June 26, 1889, Mr. Pratt is a son of Nelson and Mary (Labonte) Pratt, the former born at Milton, Ver- mont, and the latter a native of Webster. Both now reside in Woonsocket, where the father is deputy sheriff.
When he was only one year old, Joseph Pratt came with his parents to Woonsocket, and grew up in the city, attending public and parochial schools. When he had finished his education he began the business of life in the employ of the Colwell Paper Box Company, where he worked for about a year, and then became connected with the Woonsocket Rubber Company. After another period of a year, he went to work for the Woon- socket Electric Machine and Power Company, the local electric light company, and later, until 1917, was associated with Stone and Webster, who absorbed the Electric Machine and Power Com- pany. With this firm he was employed in every department and position from stock room boy to superintendent of distribution, winning merited ad- vancement through loyal service and consistent effort, and overseeing everything from the switch board to contacts with the ultimate consumer. Still later, Mr. Pratt was connected with the Boss Electric Supply Company, of Providence, as trav- eling salesman, and resigned this position to enter the Rhode Island National Guard Coast Artillery Corps.
These troops went out in the middle of July, 1917, and until the end of that year served at all forts down the bay, except Fort Adams. On Jan- uary I, 1918, Mr. Pratt left Fort Kearney for Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia, to enter the Officers' Training School; he was there commissioned sec- ond lieutenant, and in the last of March, 1918, was assigned to the Tank Corps, leaving Fort Ogle- thorpe for the Tank Corps base at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Mr. Pratt remained at Gettysburg from April I to about August 1, 1918, and pro- ceeded overseas with the American Expeditionary Forces, sailing about August 25. He remained in France until April, 1919, returning to the United States at that time, and spending short periods at
Camp Merritt, New Jersey, and Camp Meade, Maryland.
On his return to civil life, after his discharge on May 10, 1919, he resumed his duties with the Boss Electric Supply Company, while laying plans for an independent venture. Shortly afterwards he was able to put them into effective execution starting in business for himself, and establishing electric maintenance and engineering works in Woonsocket. When this enterprise was well developed he sold his interests to Albert J. and Arthur Dauray, who are still operating the plant. At this time Mr. Pratt became a salesman for the Star Electric Company, and was associated with them from August, 1919, to March, 1920. Then he established a new venture under his own name, J. Pratt, electric appliances and supplies, which he ran with every success for six years. At the end of this period he liquidated the business, and when J. Hector Paquin resigned as city clerk, Mr. Pratt succeeded him in this office, August 1, 1925.
This is the first and only city position he has ever filled, but he brought to it proved ability and a long experience in business methods which ideally qualified him for the post. He has remained in this office until the present time, 1930, and his success- ful administration is a matter of record. Mr. Pratt is a member of the Republican party in politics, active in party work and a consistent supporter of worthy civic causes. He is affiliated fraternally with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the American Legion, the Knights of Columbus, and other organizations, while he is also a member of the Woonsocket Sportsmen's Club. He is a member of the Society of St. Jean Baptiste, while with his family he worships in the faith of the Roman Catholic Church.
On June II, 1927, at Woonsocket, Joseph Pratt married Edna Viola Dickey, daughter of E. How- ard and Mary (Archibald) Dickey of this city. Mr. and Mrs. Pratt are the parents of two chil- dren : Robert Joseph, and Shirley. The family maintain their residence in Woonsocket, at No. 378 Summer Street.
M. LESLIE HOUGH-Having entered the business established by his father in 1886, Mr. Hough has continued to be associated with this well-known dye plant of Woonsocket, and now (1931) is its treasurer and general manager.
M. Leslie Hough was born at Woonsocket, on
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February 26, 1886, a son of Mark and Mary A. (Wardle) Hough. His father was born in Eng- land, but has lived in the United States since he was five years of age. His mother is a native of Rhode Island. Mr. Hough received his early edu- cation in the schools of Woonsocket and then at- tended Worcester Academy, Worcester, Massa- chusetts, and Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, of which latter he was a student for one year. After leaving college at the end of his freshman year, he entered the Enterprise Dye Works, Inc., of Woonsocket. This business was founded by his father, Mark Hough, in 1884, and was incorporated in 1918. Its plant is now located at No. 229 First Avenue, Woonsocket. Mr. Hough's mother was president of the company to the time of her death, October 8, 1930, but the active direction of the company was in the hands of the subject of this article. It is one of the most successful establishments of its type in Woonsocket and its success in recent years must be attributed largely to Mr. Hough's efforts and ability. Mr. Hough is also a member of the board of directors of the Woonsocket Branch of the Rhode Island Hospital Trust Company and of the Rathbun Knitting Company, of Woonsocket, as well as a trustee of the Union Cemetery of Woonsocket. Always interested in civic affairs and the advance- ment of the welfare of his native city, Mr. Hough is a member of the Woonsocket Chamber of Com- merce and of the Woonsocket City Club, of which latter he is vice-president. Since his college days he has been a member of Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity. In politics he votes independently, while his religious affiliation is with the Protestant Episcopal Church.
Mr. Hough married Florence Sayles, a native of Blackstone, and a daughter of Henry and Helen Sayles. Mrs. Hough is a member of the Univer- salist Church. Mr. and Mrs. Hough are the parents of two sons : Mark Sayles and Henry. The family home is located at No. 269 Prospect Street, Woon- socket.
GEORGE W. CARROLL-Entering the em- ploy of the J. B. Farnum Company of Woonsocket as a young man, Mr. Carroll continued with this company and today is its president. For many years he represented the company as one of its sales representatives on the road, but in more re- cent years he has devoted all of his time to execu- tive work. He is also an executive officer of sev- eral other important manufacturing concerns in Woonsocket and Thornton. Though interested in
public questions and in the civic affairs of Woon- socket, he has never taken an active part in politics. He is, however, a popular member of several civic organizations and social clubs.
Mr. Carroll was born at Northbridge, Massa- chusetts, November 10, 1883, a son of the late Thomas and Margaret (Barlow) Carroll. Both his parents were natives of Ireland, but came to this country in their youth and resided here until their death. His father, who died in May, 1928, was for many years successfully engaged in the lumber business. He was one of the early settlers of Woonsocket, coming to this city when he was only fifteen years old; later, however, he owned and operated a farm at Upton, Massachusetts. It was in the public schools of that State that George W. Carroll received his education and after leaving them he began his business career. He came, as a young man in 1905, to Woonsocket and entered the employ of the late J. B. Farnum. Later, he became a member of the firm, of which Mr. Farnum was then the head, and for many years he was one of its most successful sales representatives. He is now president of J. B. Farnum & Company, as well as president of the C. H. Darling Company, and treasurer of the L. W. Peckham Company and the Carroll Worsted Mills, the last two being located at Thornton, Rhode Island. His numer- ous and important business responsibilities have never permitted him to take an active part in pub- lic life, but he accepted an appointment at the hands of the mayor of Woonsocket as a member of the commission on industrial survey, and also as a member of the Citizens Advisory Committee. Mr. Carroll is a director of the Woonsocket Cham- ber of Commerce, and of the Blackstone Valley Agricultural Society. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus, and the Winnesuket and the Franklin Country clubs. His religious affilia- ation is with the Roman Catholic Church. In poli- tics he is an independent voter.
Mr. Carroll married Margaret T. Hart, a native of Massachusetts, and a daughter of Andrew and Margaret (Barry) Hart. Mr. and Mrs. Carroll are the parents of five children: Charles, Francis, Marjorie, Marie, and George W., Jr. The family residence is located at No. 263 Woodland Road, Woonsocket, while Mr. Carroll's business offices are at No. 373 North Main Street.
GOV. CHARLES WARREN LIPPITT- One of the families which has long held an impor- tant place in public life is that of Lippitt, of whom one of the recent representatives was Gov-
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ernor Charles Warren Lippitt of Providence. He was a native and life-long resident of this city, as well as a descendant of an old and honored family, and, like his father before him, served in the chief executive office of the State Govern- ment. His election to the governorship came in 1895, just twenty years after his father, Henry Lippitt, had held the same office; and again in 1896, he was chosen to this position. Such achieve- ments were indicative of his general experience in public life, while he was also a leader in busi- ness affairs and in other types of activity in Rhode Island. A man of kindly and generous spirit in his personal life, he was always keenly interested in supporting those projects which would further the best interests of his city and State, so that the place he held in Rhode Island life was an outstanding one. His life was a long one, having extended to the ripe old age of seventy-eight, and his death removed from Provi- dence and from this Commonwealth one of the leading citizens of his place and day.
Governor Lippitt was a lineal descendant in the eighth generation from John Lippitt, a town lot owner in Providence, in 1638, and in the ninth generation from Roger Williams, the founder of the State of Rhode Island. He was also descended in the seventh generation from John Cushing, judge of the Superior Court of Judicature of Massachusetts, in the period from 1728 to 1737. Another ancestor from whom he was descended in the tenth generation was Samuel Gorton, the founder of Warwick, Rhode Island. Governor Lippitt's own parents were Henry and Mary A. (Balch) Lippitt, highly respected citizens of Providence, the city where Governor Charles War- ren Lippitt was born, on October 8, 1846.
Charles Warren Lippitt received his early edu- cation in private schools and was prepared for college at the University Grammar School of Providence. In his very early life he was sub- ject to much sickness, but after a time his un- usually strong constitution asserted itself and brought him health and strength, so that by the time he reached college, he excelled in swim- ming and rowing. He was a member of the college crew, having become a student at Brown University, Providence, in the class of 1865. At one time he served as captain of the crew and acquitted himself with honor in that position. In 1865, Mr. Lippitt travelled to the Rocky Moun- tains with Professor Samuel P. Hill, whom he assisted in a number of important mining inves- tigations. After his graduation from Brown in
the class of 1865, Mr. Lippitt spent several months of 1866 in traveling through England, Wales and France, and once more, in 1868, pass- ing a greater part of the year in Europe. In 1869, he commenced in his business activities in his father's offices in connection with the Social Manufacturing Company, and the Lippitt Woolen Company, and later with the Silver Spring Bleaching and Dyeing Company, of which com- pany he was treasurer until the business was sold to the United States Finishing Company. In 1891, he was elected a director of the Rhode Island National Bank of Providence, of which he was made, in 1895, vice-president, and, in 1896, president. In 1901, this institution was merged with others to form the United National Bank, whereupon Mr. Lippitt was elected the vice-president of the new corporation.
At an early period, Mr. Lippitt's interests be- came diversified. In 1875, he was elected pres- ident of the Franklin Lyceum, an organization composed chiefly of young lawyers and politicians which exerted an unusual influence upon the leading junior citizens of Providence. Mr. Lip- pitt's success in this connection was outstand- ing, especially because of his forensic and parlia- mentary ability which counted for much in lyceum work. Mr. Lippitt thoroughly enjoyed the broad opportunity of this organization, and was re- elected its president in 1876. His record in that office showed that on every appeal his parlia- mentary rulings had been sustained by the lyceum. His work with the Board of Trade was also important to the city of Providence; for, from 1875 to 1877, Mr. Lippitt was annually elected a member of the council of this organiza- tion. In 1878, he was elected first vice-president of the board, and in 1880, was again elected to this position. In 1880, he was also chosen a dele- gate to the National Board of Trade, which was then meeting in Washington, District of Colum- bia, where he was chosen vice-president of that organization. In 1881, he was unanimously elected president of the Providence Board of Trade, and in 1882, was reelected to the same office. In 1875, 1876, 1877, during the terms of his father, Henry Lippitt, in the governorship of Rhode Is- land, he served as colonel-in-chief of the personal staff of the governor.
In 1881, he was appointed by Mayor Hayward as a member of the Railroad Terminal Facilities Commission of Providence, and in that connec- tion brought about a number of important changes which vitally concerned the welfare of the city
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and State. From 1878 to 1884, Mr. Lippitt served for three years as secretary, for two years as vice-president, and for one year as president of the Providence Commercial Club. In 1897, he was elected president of the Brown University Alumni Association of Providence. In 1902, he was elected colonel of Providence Marine Corps of the Artillery Veterans Association, and was also chosen honorary vice-president of the Navy League of the United States.
Interested from an early day in political affairs, Mr. Lippitt was aligned with the Republican party. He served for several years as secretary of the National Republican City Committee, and in 1880, was elected president of the Garfield and Arthur Republican Club of Providence. It was in the following year, 1895, that he was honored by his fellow-citizens by election to the office of Governor, in which his father had served so well twenty years before. After his reelection to the governorship in 1896, he held a still more outstanding position in party circles, having won the second election by the largest plurality ever given a Governor of Rhode Island. He was active in national politics, having taken part in the first Mc Kinley campaign in 1896, when he was nomi- nated for vice-president at the St. Louis Con- vention of his party by the Rhode Island dele- gation, whose unanimous support he received.
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